Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Despite a gruelling season, Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer believes his players have "one big effort" remaining in them this year.
The Boks are coming off arguably the toughest rugby season to date, with a prolonged Super Rugby season, 11 Tests and added Currie Cup duty all playing its part in wearing the country's top players out.
However, despite having watched a large chunk of his squad sit out training this week, Meyer is confident of his team's chances against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
"Yes, it has been a very long season," he told the Rugby365 website. "We are probably the only country where the (national team's) players were involved in the Currie Cup (domestic competition).
"Most of the guys couldn't train, especially the loose forwards had lost of bumps and bruises.
"I always knew this last game was going to be a very tough game, but I really want the guys to dig deep. I need one more big effort from them."
While admitting his players are mentally drained, the coach feels they have what it takes to rise to the occasion at Twickenham.
"I can see mentally, it has been a very long season. However, knowing these guys, they will stand up to the challenge, they want to play for their country and the guys next to them. I know they always lift themselves for England," said Meyer.
The Test kicks off at 16:30 on Saturday.
Teams:
England:
15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Wood , 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero
Substitutes: 16 David Paice, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 James Haskell , 21 Danny Care, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Jonathan Joseph
South Africa:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp
Substitutes: 16. Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
The Boks are coming off arguably the toughest rugby season to date, with a prolonged Super Rugby season, 11 Tests and added Currie Cup duty all playing its part in wearing the country's top players out.
However, despite having watched a large chunk of his squad sit out training this week, Meyer is confident of his team's chances against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
"Yes, it has been a very long season," he told the Rugby365 website. "We are probably the only country where the (national team's) players were involved in the Currie Cup (domestic competition).
"Most of the guys couldn't train, especially the loose forwards had lost of bumps and bruises.
"I always knew this last game was going to be a very tough game, but I really want the guys to dig deep. I need one more big effort from them."
While admitting his players are mentally drained, the coach feels they have what it takes to rise to the occasion at Twickenham.
"I can see mentally, it has been a very long season. However, knowing these guys, they will stand up to the challenge, they want to play for their country and the guys next to them. I know they always lift themselves for England," said Meyer.
The Test kicks off at 16:30 on Saturday.
Teams:
England:
15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Wood , 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Alex Corbisiero
Substitutes: 16 David Paice, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 James Haskell , 21 Danny Care, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Jonathan Joseph
South Africa:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp
Substitutes: 16. Schalk Brits, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
