Springboks vs England: Coles braced for “massive” forward battle at Ellis Park
· The South African
England lock Alex Coles says his side cannot afford another off night after a difficult Six Nations campaign. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
The Northampton Saints forward was direct when discussing the pressure facing England in Saturday’s opening Nations Championship fixture against the world champions at Ellis Park.
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“We didn’t deliver what we wanted to in the Six Nations, and it’s really something we’ve been working really hard at in terms of improving our performances,” he during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“Like I said, it’s very important this weekend,” Coles said of potentially beating the world champions.
FORWARD BATTLE AGAINST SPRINGBOKS LOOMS LARGE FOR EXCITED COLES
The Springboks are renowned for their power game up front and Coles did not shy away from South Africa’s set-piece dominance in their last clash when Rassie Erasmus’ side won 29-20 against England at Twickenham in 2024.
“It was only that one-off game, but in that game, they got the better of us at that set-piece, and we know that’s something they’re very strong in,” he admitted. “You know, they’re one of the world’s best teams.”
Based on Erasmus’ team selection, Coles expects a similar approach from the hosts this weekend at altitude.
“I imagine they’re going to try and bring that again this weekend, and it’s going to be a great challenge for us as a pack,” Coles said.
He also sung the praises of the Springboks’ starting locks this weekend – Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje – as among the finest second rowers in the game.
“As someone that likes to watch and study other locks, I think they’re two of the world’s best. That’s something that really excites me, a chance to go up against those guys,” he said. “When you’re a top sportsman, you want to play against the best. I find that really exciting.”
But he also warned his teammates of the wider threat posed by the Springbok pack.
“They’re a very physical side, but that’s not all they have to their game. They’ve got so many different aspects that they do well. They test you in areas all over the park,” Coles said.
PLAYING THE ENGLAND WAY IN A TOUGH CHALLENGE
Despite arriving off a Premiership title with the Northampton Saints, Coles stressed the Test arena differs completely.
“Internationally, the club stuff gets put aside straight away. It’s much more important that we come together as a group and play the England way. We’ve got a really clear identity here,” he said.
Coles described the scale of the task of facing a full-strength Springbok side at Ellis Park in blunt terms.”It’s massive, massive. Not to reiterate too much, but it’s an extreme challenge that we’re very excited about,” he said.
“Playing at home, that gives them that extra edge. They’re a very proud team, a very proud nation of supporters as well. Massively looking forward to it.”
COLES ADAMANT ENGLAND CAN COMPETE WITH SKIPPER ITOJE
Coles also addressed the absence of a captain and lock Maro Itoje, who is being rested for this Nations Championship Test.
“I’ve been really privileged to get to play alongside him and get to work with him and train with him,” Coles said. I’ve picked up and learned so much from him.”
“So, you know, in some respects, there’s the absence, of course, of not having a senior pro, an experienced player, a captain. That’s always going to be a factor. But I think it leaves an opportunity for other people to step up and to develop themselves,” he said.
He pointed to last year’s Lions tour, when a depleted England side travelled to Argentina, as proof that they have squad depth to negate Itoje’s absence.
“We saw in Argentina last year when we had so many players on the Lions tour, loads of people took their opportunity, stepped up and developed their own game,” Coles said.
“I’m hoping he’s [Itoje] resting up really well. He’s such an important player for us, and we need him. We need him firing for the next few years.”