England Suffer Third Straight Autumn Defeat Against Dominant South Africa
Despite the caliber of their opponents, the reigning world champions South Africa, England’s 29-20 loss against the Springboks at Twickenham came as no surprise. This was their fifth consecutive defeat, a dismal run that has left the national team struggling to find their identity.
The author, a former international rugby coach, believes England were naïve in their approach and had the perfect opportunity to secure victory. After Cheslin Kolbe scored his second try in the second half, England had the majority of possession in the South African half. However, instead of taking the easy points on offer through penalties, they opted to go for the corner, a decision that ultimately cost them.
“As a seasoned international coach, I learned the importance of taking points when they are available, especially when trailing. By going for the try, England lost line-outs and their breakdown work suffered, allowing South Africa to regain control and win penalties.”
The author argues that England are caught between two stools, unsure whether to adopt a direct, physical approach or a high-octane, fast-paced game. The Springboks, on the other hand, have managed to combine their traditional power and physicality with a more expansive, attacking game, as exemplified by the brilliant Cheslin Kolbe.
The author believes that England need to commit to one style of play, either going “hell for leather” with a direct approach or fully embracing a high-paced, skillful game. The current indecision is hindering their performance, and the author suggests that the upcoming match against Japan is a must-win, as anything less would be unforgivable.
Despite the passion and work ethic of the England players, the author is disappointed that they are unable to get the big decisions right in crucial moments. He also criticizes the players for immediately bringing their families onto the pitch after a loss, stating that this should only be done after significant achievements.
The author concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for head coach Steve Borthwick and the national setup to address the underlying issues and get the team back on track. Failure to do so will result in England remaining “international also-rans,” a fate the author believes is unacceptable for the national team.
🔗 Source
