{"id":296549,"date":"2023-10-20T19:39:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=296549"},"modified":"2023-10-20T19:39:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:39:11","slug":"sir-clive-woodward-may-have-given-south-africa-the-ammo-to-demolish-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-league\/sir-clive-woodward-may-have-given-south-africa-the-ammo-to-demolish-england\/","title":{"rendered":"Sir Clive Woodward may have given South Africa the ammo to demolish England"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rugby World Cup: Semi-final previews<\/h3>\n

Sir Clive Woodward may have inadvertently given South Africa an additional edge ahead of this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England. The Springboks will go into the match as heavy favourites, while England will be the firm underdogs in a repeat of the 2019 final that went against Steve Borthwick’s men.<\/p>\n

Woodward, who led England to their only Rugby World Cup triumph back in 2003, has upped the stakes ahead of kick-off by criticising several aspects of the Springboks team. Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, he questioned their collective fitness and tactical approach to matches, which often sees delaying used as a tool to disrupt the tempo.<\/p>\n

“I believe South Africa aren\u2019t as fit as England, even with their replacements,” said Woodward. “The Springboks look to slow the game down at every opportunity. They rotate their side, and their backroom team are constantly on the field bringing on water.<\/p>\n

“England need to counter that. When South Africa look to slow things down, England need to speed it up. At line-outs and scrums, get the ball gone.”<\/p>\n

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Woodward went on to suggest that France fell into a trap against South Africa in the quarter-finals last weekend, explaining: “The Boks rely on playing the game on their terms. France were unrecognisable in the second half of their quarter-final. They were dragged into South Africa\u2019s game plan and found it impossible to inject the pace they love.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever happens, it\u2019s also crucial England don\u2019t panic. These matches are normally very tight, so the key is that they stay in the contest.”<\/p>\n