Haskell: One change for England

There were a few times where England were totally shoved off the ball and I can not remember seeing that happen at Twickenham for a very long time. That certainly would have dented the pride of the England forwards and needs to be addressed. When you talk about the characteristics of national sides, one of England's has always been a very good scrum.

Miles Harrison
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England v South Africa
Saturday, 2.30pm, Sky Sports 2 & HD2

After their 28-14 loss to Australia, England face another tough test when they take on world champions South Africa on Saturday. Both sides have seen changes in management and in players since they last met in the World Cup final and both will be looking for a morale-boosting win.

After two less-than-convincing wins against Wales and Scotland, South Africa will be looking for a much better performance in preparation for next year's British and Irish Lions tour.

And Sky Sports rugby commentator Miles Harrison believes that while South Africa have yet to play at their best on this tour, England have the players and the skill to beat them.

Both sides have changed a bit since they last met in the World Cup final but are we expecting too much from this new England side?

MILES REPLIES: Yes, there have certainly been changes at all levels for both teams. England is almost a completely new team from the one that lost that final. While it is not exactly a young team, new is definitely the word that surrounds this team. Obviously the halfback pairing of and Danny Care and Danny Cipriani fall into the young category but besides from them, even the new guys like Ugo Monye, Rikki Flutey and Delon Armitage are not exactly in the flush of youth. Perhaps we percieve them to be older and therefore expect more of them, however people should bear in mind that this team is still a new team and are still finding their feet so to speak.

Confidence building

As you said Miles, this team is new but how badly would the defeat to Australia have affected them?

MILES REPLIES: A heavy defeat at Twickenham is always going to make headlines no matter what the era. At an international level to ship those many points usually means defeat, but what will really rankle with England is that they gifted Australia so many of those points.

There were some silly penalties that should not have happened. England gave away eight penalties in kickable areas - you just can't do that especially against Matt Giteau, who is right up there as one of the best kickers in world rugby.

Despite the score, I don't think England were far off winning it, there were some key moments and only some fantastic defence from Australia stopped them scoring. What it showed was that Australia are a bit further down the development line than England are at the moment. They have had longer together as a group and as the game went on that showed. They were ruthless with their opportunities and took their chances. England didn't. The question is how quickly can England eradicate those errors and how quickly can they learn?

Ring the changes

For South Africa Martin Johnson has made one change with James Haskell starting over Tom Croft. Do you think that is a good move?

MILES REPLIES: Well when you look at the South African backrow of Pierre Spies, Juan Smith and Schalk Burger it is pretty obvious to see what there main asset is. That is an awful lot of presence and power. Haskell is a giant of a backrower and does offer that extra power at the breakdown - an area where England are not getting the quick ball that they need. That is a problem they have to get sorted. Croft is not going to go away though; we have seen flashes from him over the last two weeks that suggest that he will be a fine international player. But you can see why Haskell has come in, when he has come off the bench he has made a physical impact and that is what you need against South Africa.

One change is about right really, seeing what Martin Johnson has said about consistency regarding selection. He has said that these are the best players barring those who are injured and he is looking to build confidence within the group. I think making wholesale changes just for the sake of making changes would not have sent out the right signals. This team needs time as a team and Johnson has stood by his word.

I think it is a good thing, there is promise there. Given time I think there are a lot of players here who will become very good international players. The England squad just has to hold their nerve at the moment, it is not easy when England lose at home to Australia, it just does not feel right at all. But it is also not the end of the world either.

Weary Springboks

South Africa have not exactly covered themselves in glory against Wales and Scotland. How confident will England be that they can get a result against the world champs?

MILES REPLIES: Well to go back to the experience, this South African side have got plenty of that. England definitely do have a chance to get something here. Perhaps there was more expectation last weekend against Australia, so maybe that has eased the pressure a little bit.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has said it himself this week that his team are mentally and physically tired as they are at the end of a long hard year. But South Africa are not turning up at Twickenham just to make up the numbers. They are world champions and are very proud of that and they will love to perform well at Twickenham against England. They are not playing particularly well, though. From the Wales and Scotland games, you can see that there is vulnerability there at the moment and their form suggest that there are possibilities for England.

A lot of media space has been given to Danny Cipriani, but South Africa have a young talented fly-half of their own. What do you make of this key battle?

MILES REPLIES: It is an interesting comparison, Cipriani always wanted to play fly-half and everybody said that is where he would play for his country one day. Ruan Pienaar was never really sure of his position - he has played scrum-half, full-back and on the wing before De Viiliers opted to try him at 10. It shows what a talent he is and against Wales he showed touches of becoming a very good flyhalf.

I don't think he had the same impact against Scotland but I think that said a lot about who he had playing alongside him at No 9. Both are very talented and also very new to playing fly-half on the international stage. It should be a fascinating battle and whoever gets the upper hand will go a long way in helping their side win.

The battle upfront

South Africa have numerous front-row injuries, will this be the perfect time for the England tight three to attack them after their disappointing showing against Australia?

MILES REPLIES:To be fair to the England front row, I don't think the scrum emerged as a contest for long periods of that game against the Wallabies. I think Scott Quinnell made a very valid point down on the touchline when he mentioned the jerseys. He said how difficult it is to get a proper grip and to get a proper bind on their opponents.

There were a few times where England were totally shoved off the ball and I cannot remember seeing that happen at Twickenham for a very long time. That certainly would have dented the pride of the England forwards and that needs to be addressed. When you talk about the characteristics of national sides, one of England's has always been a very good scrum.

South Africa have a very issues in the front row, John Smit moving to tighthead and then moving back to hooker because Bismarck du Plessis is out. They have called on Bismarck's brother, Jannie, and he is not exactly a weak player! South Africa are blessed with some wonderful prop forwards and it will be an excellent front row. When you think what is shoving behind in Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, and then you stick that awesome backrow I think it is safe to say that it is a very tasty Bok pack.

South Africa pride themselves on this aspect of the game and I expect a pretty good contest. I really hope for everyone that we don't go through the series of penalties and free kicks that marred last weeks contest up front.

Would you like to call it then Miles?

MILES REPLIES: Hopefully it will be a cold and clear day and then we should be in for an excellent spectacle. I do think England have a chance. Wales came close, Scotland came close and there is no reason why England cannot come close. It should be tight and if England can address those problems of giving away silly penalties and be much more disciplined, then there is no reason why they should not be far away.