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‘Amorphous’ Boks need Etzebeth to fire

Cape Town - The Springboks will need a special performance from lock enforcer Eben Etzebeth if they are to topple England at Twickenham this weekend.

That is the view of Stuart Barnes, a former England flyhalf and well-known rugby pundit in the UK.

Barnes wrote an article in England’s Sunday Times where he looks forward to the potential second row battle between Joe Launchbury and Etzebeth.

“Etzebeth is the enforcer’s enforcer. South Africa will need something special from him next week,” Barnes wrote on Sunday.

The Springboks drew 31-all against the Barbarians in their first match on tour in London on Saturday.

Barnes has not been impressed by what he’s seen from the Boks in 2016.

“The Boks have been amorphous, veering at the start of the Rugby Championship from a 10th rate imitation of New Zealand’s offloading game to third-rate kick and chase Springbok rugby.”

England have not beaten the Springboks in their last 12 Tests dating back to 2006.

“Where they have done well is at the lineout. No man is more important to the Boks than Etzebeth. England have been taking too many backward steps to Etzebeth and friends for too long. If England can match them physically, they can end their winless streak," Barnes continued.


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