The English have landed.

So the time is upon us, the English have landed.



Sport24

A 42-man England squad skippered by flank Chris Robshaw arrived on Thursday in crisp, clear conditions to start a five-match, three-Testtour of South Africa.

After travelling overnight from London, the 2012 Six Nations championship runners-up took a one-hour flight from Johannesburg to Durban.

Kings Park in Durban hosts the first Test on June 9 followed by Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg a week later and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on July 23.

There will also be midweek matches against South African Barbarians sides – drawn from players in the second tier of the Currie Cup domestic competition – in Kimberley on June 13 and Potchefstroom six days’ later.

The Test series has been labelled “A new era against an old enemy” by series broadcasters SuperSport, referring to new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer and the 106-year rugby union rivalry between the countries.

Having led the Pretoria-based Bulls to Currie Cup and Super14 glory, Meyer replaced Peter de Villiers after defending champions South Africa lost 11-9 to Australia in the 2011Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

A 3-3 stalemate was the outcome of the 1906 Test between England and South Africa at Crystal Palace in London, the only draw with the Springboks winning 19 and losing 12of the subsequent meetings.

England visited South Africa for the first time in 1972 and won a one-off Test 18-9 at Ellis Park, but have managed just two more victories in nine other internationals in the republic.

The Red Roses also made a last-eight exit from the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, falling 19-12 to eventual runners-up France, and have also changed coaches with Stuart Lancaster replacing Martin Johnson.

Meyer names a 32-man series squad in Pretoria on Saturday after the SuperRugby clash between the Bulls and the Stormers and suffered a blow this week when a back injury sidelined lock Andries Bekker for five weeks.

Stormer Bekker was a certain first Test starter and Bulls’ Flip van der Merwe and Juandre Kruger and 20-year-old Eben Etzebeth of Stormers are now the main contenders to replace legendary lock pair Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

Botha has moved to French side Toulon and has not figured in any squad speculation while Matfield retired after the World Cup and persistent rumours of a return against England never materialised.

An injury to prop Matt Stevens forced Lancaster into a late change with Rupert Harden from Gloucester drafted in to join 21 other forwards and 20 backs on tour.

While Meyer will rely largely on Bulls, Stormers and Coastal Sharks, 30 of the England squad come from Premiership winners Harlequins, runners-up Leicester and semi-finalists Northampton and Saracens.

Among the Leicester Tigers is Samoa-born centre Manu Tuilagi, cleared this week of performing a ‘tip’ tackle on fellow tourist and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care in the Premiership final.

Should be a good tour, hopefully England can get one win!

A good tour for England for starters would be getting the right headlines in the press,
It would be a real shame if Lancaster's hard work was ruined by off the field mindless nonsense.
He has done very well with England in a short space of time so let's hope the players support him on and off the field.

South African press rarely bothers about headlining rugby players behaviour of the pitch, if something does happen it is usually on some back page.

We are much more into the actual rugby side of things.

I actually like the look of the English squad and i feel that they may give the Saffers a bit of a run.

Cymroglan wrote:A good tour for England for starters would be getting the right headlines in the press,
It would be a real shame if Lancaster's hard work was ruined by off the field mindless nonsense.
He has done very well with England in a short space of time so let's hope the players support him on and off the field.

I don't think there will be any of the off field troubles there were during the WC. Honestly, I think the perpetrators were the old guys like Tindall and Easter, dragging along some of the younger ones. Now that they are gone, and have a solid leader in place rather than a brittle player undeserving of his place, I think the whole team morale has changed. I think Lancaster's got a real authoritative aura about him, and is an unwavering disciplinarian.

I am fine with "a bit of a run" it is a full run I would consider inappropriate

biltongbek wrote:I am fine with "a bit of a run" it is a full run I would consider inappropriate

Depends on what your restaurants feed them as to if they get the full on runs biltong

I like the stadiums chosen for the Games, The Shark Tank, Ellis Park(hate the sponsor name ) And The new Nelson Mandela bay

eirebilly wrote:

biltongbek wrote:I am fine with "a bit of a run" it is a full run I would consider inappropriate

Depends on what your restaurants feed them as to if they get the full on runs biltong

billy we're sending Suzie to Old Trafford to help the English with some runs there.

Nice comeback

Have to admit when being bested at times

You have taught me well, my master. It was inevitable that the forces of the DARK side would win.

biltongbek wrote:South African press rarely bothers about headlining rugby players behaviour of the pitch, if something does happen it is usually on some back page.

We are much more into the actual rugby side of things.

Like moaning about referees and whinging about citing panels?

2-1 victory for England in the Tests. Expect a very tough, very physical series with a few yellow cards dotted about and a couple of citings. The English have landed? No, the English have invaded.

I'm looking forward to an intense and gripping tour. I think the squad looks pretty reasonable and hopefully we shouldn't be destroyed by a cricket score in the first test.

Interestingly there seem to be more selection debates for the first test for England than there were in the 6N when they first came together.

Will Corbs carry on at LH or will Marler's form see him benched? The likely combination is Botha and Parling in the SR but will Palmer or Launchbury (a bit more weighty) secure the bench spot. With Stevens out who takes the prop spot on the bench (PDJ, Marler or Corbs?).

At 7 Robshaw is likely to start, but will he move to 6 and bring Fearns in at 7 for a bit more grunt? Will Dowson though take the 6 spot, or 8 indeed if Morgan still hasn't fully recovered. Will Haskell take the bench spot or indeed start at 6/7/8 with one of either Fearns or Dowson on the bench?

At Halfback it's anyone's guess. Farrell seemed most likely to start at FH (not my choice!) but he had a pretty shaky game at 12 v the Baa Baas and was limited to the chip kick as his only means of attack from 10. Flood could come in there, but will that mean Farrell at 12 again, or benched? It could just as likely be Hodgson however, who starts or takes the bench spot.

9 Could be Youngs/Danny Care or even Dickson depending on who starts at FH. Dickson was the starter at the end of the 6N, but Youngs is coming into form and Care played superbly in the Jeff final.

Centre is a worry, will Farrell start again at 12 or will Barritt's defensive prowess seal him there with Manu outisde. Or will Manu's poor showing in the final cost him his place to the most tedious centre partnership since someone thought of playing a Noon/Tindall combination.

On the wing Ashton seems sealed in, but Strettle's spot could well be up for grabs with some relatively stilted displays from him and the excitement around players such as Wade.

Finally, yes finally, Foden will almost certainly start, but there's a very good argument for employing Brown's seige gun boot against the Saffers, and his defensive solidity.

I've shocked myself with quite how many questions are unanswered. Cole, Ashton and Hartley about the only ones utterly nailed on. Some of these may not be going down to the wire, but there are a lot of very genuine questions and a tough selection to come!

Those are fighting words Duty. I like your confidence. England need to keep their composure on the field if they want to have any realistic chance. Can't wait for some test rugby. This Super rugby season seems interminable to me but test match rugby is the real rugby we want to see. Well at least what I want to see.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:South African press rarely bothers about headlining rugby players behaviour of the pitch, if something does happen it is usually on some back page.

We are much more into the actual rugby side of things.

Like moaning about referees and whinging about citing panels?

It is topical, about rugby, inebriated rugby players are not.

Duty281 wrote:2-1 victory for England in the Tests. Expect a very tough, very physical series with a few yellow cards dotted about and a couple of citings. The English have landed? No, the English have invaded.

Bad news for you mate, the last invasion was in 1902, this time it is 22 men on a side, not 10 000 vs 500.

Only 10 for SA if M Steyn gets picked mate.

It is still better odds mate.

True dat.

To me the high veld games will be a big test for England. They have some big units who are used to running round at sea level. The ball travels further though in the thin air so could well be a game of tactical kicking waiting for the other team to make a mistake. Which in my mind suits SA more. England need to do the basics well like they did in the 6N but take their attack up to the next level if they are to compete.

they have landed.......and gone for a swim!

http://t.co/pA1WSuLt

nathan wrote:they have landed.......and gone for a swim!

http://t.co/pA1WSuLt

No dive bombing Tuilagi!

2-1 to the english. Ooooohhh yeahhh.

Chjw131

I'd say Robshaw at 7 is pretty certain as well. Johnson, Dowson and Haskell are all more likely options at 6 than Fearns is at 7, so I reckon Robshaw will stay where he is.

I want all the English posters to know that I wish you luck and I hope it will be not only be a high intensity, physical and Brutatest series, but you are all welcome in our land.

When you get back on the plane, please fly home safely.

In the meantime whilst you are here, make sure your medical staff is on standby and they have brought many boxes of tissues.

And remember real men don't cry.

Would we ever see a backrow of Toms by the way?
Croft
wood
Johnson.

I wouldn't say no to that...

I thought Croft wasn't available?

biltongbek wrote:I want all the English posters to know that I wish you luck and I hope it will be not only be a high intensity, physical and Brutatest series, but you are all welcome in our land.

When you get back on the plane, please fly home safely.

In the meantime whilst you are here, make sure your medical staff is on standby and they have brought many boxes of tissues.

And remember real men don't cry.

Thank you, and the same to you.

biltongbek wrote:I thought Croft wasn't available?

he's not, he only got out of a neck brace this week.

Looking forward to the banter.

nathan wrote:

biltongbek wrote:I thought Croft wasn't available?

he's not, he only got out of a neck brace this week.

It is a shame, I rate him.

He really is a top class player but it is very difficult to fit him into any team's backrow. He is not your usual flanker as he often stands out wide and rarely does that much work in the tight. If you can build your backrow around him though, he can be lethal.

Biltongbek, my friend.

"The English have landed"
I like the sound of that.
I assume everyone in the country stopped what they were doing immediately and genuflected in a manner appropriate to the occasion????????

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=the+english&start=82&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1024&bih=616&tbm=isch&tbnid=2sDCnCtLSAx6GM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2086404/Scottish-Independence-Alex-Salmond-English-MUST-say-Scotlands-future.html&docid=uwNlapL62c2UXM&imgurl=http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/01/13/article-2086404-0F64AB6C00000578-938_468x335.jpg&w=468&h=335&ei=br3HT9H0HIai8ASuqM2wDw&zoom=1

Evening Doc, have no idea how many people went to the airport to welcome them, but I am pretty sure there were some heartfelt family reunione

Hey Biltong, I reckon this is going to be a sizzler from the get-go, I love South African tours, there's just something magical about them. It'll be a great proving ground for the England youngsters, something that will test their mettle and they will remember for the rest of their lives, it's not often you get the chance to win a Test Series in South Africa after-all.

There's always a essence of savage brutality in England/SA games, I just hope your boys are ready for it...

My diary has been organised for June to ensure that I get to see all the games, I'll be staying in touch on a regular basis but I'll expect you to accept defeat in the same way as you accept depunches.

Seriously brother, may the best team win and the losers do no whining, it's the only way forward, maybe next time "England land" we can share a few chilled beverages round the braii?


C'MON ENGLAND!!

biltongbek wrote:Evening Doc, have no idea how many people went to the airport to welcome them, but I am pretty sure there were some heartfelt family reunione

Double Post.

Evening PJ, just been watching Boots & all, they interviewed Brad Barr it as he stepped off the plane, the guy doing the interview couldn't help but get a little jibe at Barrit he asked him if he got through customs quicker than the others.

Nick Mallet was talking about the English and he seems impressed with how England progressed through the Six nations.

They are all of the opinion that Lancaster has a significant advantage due to preparation time.

Where they also might be at an advantage is the fact that, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Bekker, Matfield and Bakkies Both a means we might go with a new combination lock pair, and loose trio, which by all accounts might have but a hand full of caps between them.

I look forward to the series and lets pray there is no controversy.

biltongbek wrote:
Evening PJ, just been watching Boots & all, they interviewed Brad Barr it as he stepped off the plane, the guy doing the interview couldn't help but get a little jibe at Barrit he asked him if he got through customs quicker than the others.

Nick Mallet was talking about the English and he seems impressed with how England progressed through the Six nations.

They are all of the opinion that Lancaster has a significant advantage due to preparation time.

Where they also might be at an advantage is the fact that, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Bekker, Matfield and Bakkies Both a means we might go with a new combination lock pair, and loose trio, which by all accounts might have but a hand full of caps between them.

I look forward to the series and lets pray there is no controversy.

Cheeky!

I'm really looking forward to these summer tests and really want to see some very close, competitive matches and a bit of a friendly banter!

Zander there are enough mature posters that will make for good banter, besides there isn't really any negative attitudes here between the English posters and the few SA posters here.


There are of course other match ups which in all likely hood..? Well, we'll have to wait and see

biltongbek wrote:
Evening PJ, just been watching Boots & all, they interviewed Brad Barr it as he stepped off the plane, the guy doing the interview couldn't help but get a little jibe at Barrit he asked him if he got through customs quicker than the others.

Nick Mallet was talking about the English and he seems impressed with how England progressed through the Six nations.

They are all of the opinion that Lancaster has a significant advantage due to preparation time.

Where they also might be at an advantage is the fact that, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Bekker, Matfield and Bakkies Both a means we might go with a new combination lock pair, and loose trio, which by all accounts might have but a hand full of caps between them.

I look forward to the series and lets pray there is no controversy.

Great sense of humour there, hope BB took it the right way.

In the real world England have to win the first Test to have any chance of winning the series, I think Lancaster is canny enough to put together the right tactical approach, but whether the players will have enough about them to stick to it in the face of full-on Saffer aggression will be the telling factor, personally, I think they may just have what it takes to hold their ground, whether or not that is enough is yet to be seen.

For me Botha/Matfield was the stand out 4/5 combo of the modern era and certainly right up there in terms of the best ever, the combination of Matfields lineout management and Bothas breakdown management were pretty much peerless, the lack of Smith (I haven't forgotten by-the-way) and Burger does make me think that this Bokke line up has lost some of the awe of previous teams, but this is still South Africa IN South Africa, so there's still little comfort to be had from the missing persons list.

Like you, I truly hope that Rugby wins and the only things worthy of comment are great moves, like a 60 yard rolling maul...

Let's be honest, with Botha and Lawes missing the chance of any thuggery has been reduced by 90%.

Game on bruv.

You're right we might not see any foul play this whole series. It will certainly ruin both our teams reputations. What next, wear pink? Oh, sorry, already been done.

It'll be just like watching the Bolshoi...

Very good. Things are starting to roll...

Pity about Bekker but he does seem to be in the Kahui mould...brittle.

Has spent a long time in the shadows of Botha and Matfirld injured as well.

How the Bok lineout goes this year will be interesting...

Hey Taylorman, howsit?

Now please, take this in the right way - I am NOT looking for excuses.....

Who are the refs?

TrailApe wrote:Now please, take this in the right way - I am NOT looking for excuses.....

Who are the refs?

I wonder if Bryce Lawrence will make an appearance.