England have put their World Cup travails firmly behind them, Australia have a mountain to climb and Wales coach Rob Howley faces some tough decisions
It is remarkable how quickly sporting fortunes can swing. A year ago, England were failing to escape their World Cup pool on home soil while South Africa were just two semi-final points away from reaching the final. Twelve months on, the Springbok team is a very different, more vulnerable animal. The simultaneous loss of several long-time stalwarts has coincided with a continuing player exodus to Europe and Japan, while the politics of transformation further complicate Allister Coetzee’s task. The Boks should overcome Italy this weekend but, longer-term, the outlook looks highly uncertain. England, on the other hand, are visibly on the up and will be unbeaten for 14 straight Tests if they can conclude their autumn programme by beating Fiji, Argentina and Australia. “The English I don’t think play high-risk rugby but they execute it very well,” said the Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss. “They are very clinical and effective with what they do.” The ability to apply judicious pressure and be more clinical with ball in hand are increasingly consistent English traits, not a bad foundation for the day when Eddie Jones feels ready to concentrate more on their counterattacking game. For now they are simply intent on making life a challenge for all opponents at all times, regardless of the weather. “My wife said to me that I always used to worry about the rain with other teams and now I don’t,” revealed Jones. “That’s because it doesn’t matter with this team – we are completely adaptable.” Robert Kitson
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