South Africa v England 1st Test: Five Key Battles
After a tremendous Six Nations campaign Stuart Lancaster's England side make their first appearance against Southern Hemisphere opposition, when they face Heyneke Meyer's South Africa in Durban. It will be a brutal battle in the forwards, and South Africa will look to suffocate England with a game plan based around kick and chase.
Here are five key battles that could decide the game:
Bismarck Du Plessis v Dylan Hartley
The Springbok hooker is one of the best in the world, but was largely overlooked at last year's Rugby World Cup. But with Peter de Villiers and John Smit out of the picture, Bismarck can expect a long run in the side. Plays like an extra flanker in defence, with bruising hits and in attack he carries ferociously and is a handful to defend. But he will not have Matfield or Botha to go to in the lineout, which could be crucial.
On the other side Dylan Hartley is now one of the most experienced players in the England pack. He will need to match the physicality and intensity his opposite number will bring to the game, especially in the loose. At the set-piece England looked very good during the Six Nations, but this is big step up. Hartley needs to find his jumpers and scrummage well to give the rest of his side a platform.
Tendai Mtawarira v Dan Cole
Dan Cole was the standout prop of the Six Nations, and got the better of everyone he came up against. His scrummaging is world-class, but he can do just as much damage in the loose. At the breakdown he has proven himself to be a valuable asset, winning turnovers at crucial moments. His carrying game has improved significantly.
'The Beast' can be one of the most destructive scrummagers in world rugby; in the first Lions test in 2009 he made mincemeat of Phil Vickery and effectively won the match on his own. His colossal scrummaging is matched by his tremendous work in defence. He is a talisman for the Boks, and if he gets into Cole early he could really put England on the back-foot.
The game could be decided here.
Marcell Coetzee v Chris Robshaw
Sharks flanker Coetzee, 21, has made a rapid rise to test level, after making his Super Rugby debut last May. With no Juan Smith or Schalk Burger, South Africa will need a big defensive effort from the youngster. But he has shown in this year's Super Rugby that he is powerful defensive force, leading the stats with 220 tackles. Will be interesting to see how he goes on against the England skipper.
Robshaw has established himself as the best back-row forward in England this season. His performances for both club and country have been excellent. He will need to lead the charge against the surge of power the South African forwards will throw at England, at the breakdown and around the fringes he needs to be disciplined and set the example for the rest to follow.
He has to get the better of Coetzee who could be nervous on debut.
Francois Hougaard v Ben Youngs
Youngs was much maligned for his performances in the Six Nations, and lost his starting place to Lee Dickson after the game against Italy. But to his credit he went back to his club and really worked on his game, and has started to find some form. For England to stand any chance the Leicester nine has to be at his best, his passing must be sharp, he needs to control his forwards and make the right decisions.
Hougaard has had a solid season for the Blue Bulls, and has really developed over the last 12 months. But he has pretty big shoes to fill in the absence of Fourie Du Preez. We know that Heyneke Meyer will play a game based around bombarding England with high kicks from the half-backs. So for South Africa's game plan to be successful Hougaard must be accurate with his box-kicking. If the England back-row can get to him, they may be able to disrupt the Springboks plan.
Morne Steyn v Mike Brown
Although this isn't a positional match-up, as a tactical battle it will have a massive say in the outcome of the game. Steyn is one the key cog in Meyer's plan to batter England into submission with a relentless kick and chase game. Steyn's kicking from hand is immaculate, and he will put intense pressure on Brown for the full 80 minutes.
Harlequins full-back Brown returns to country where he made his debut in 2007, on that tour he suffered a torrid time, like the rest of the side. But this season he has been the one of the outstanding players in the Premiership and Europe. He is secure under the high ball, and he has added a yard of pace to his game. But this is a huge test, if he can defuse the high bombs (much like Rob Kearney did in 2009) then England will have a great chance.
