Ex supersport
Jonny Wilkinson believes that both South Africa and England will make it to the semifinals of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
World Cup legend Wilkinson was at SuperSport on Thursday and Xola Ntshinga was able to sit him down for an interview.
Wilkinson has great respect for what has been achieved by the England team under coach Stuart Lancaster.
“The England team has done a great thing in going back to the foundation of the game. They’ve looked at the values; they looked at the core principles of what makes a good team. They’ve solidified it at the base and now they’re building on it. They’re adding detail on top of detail on top of detail and the players are ready to accept it,” he said.
“The players are really understanding the structure of what they’re trying to do. It looks like they’re very professional. The defence is solid and they never looked stressed and when they are they come straight back. In attack they’ve got great shape and great options every time they have the ball.”
“I’d really like to think they will be in a semifinal, with every chance of going all the way,” the former flyhalf added.
The Springboks will feature prominently too, according to Wilkinson.
“South Africa has a great foundation for what they are trying to do. They also have a great identity of who they are (Unfortunately some fans have no clue as to who the Boks are Bwahahahahahahaha). That identity precedes them wherever they go. Their physicality, their desire, their pride and integrity (PLEASE NOTE KBBS)puts teams on the back-foot before the whistle even goes.”
“They pace at which they are now playing too is starting to drive opposition out of their comfort zones, forcing them to make mistakes under pressure. It allows them to get ahead in games and allows them to push forward and win comfortably.”
“When they do find themselves in difficulty, which they did against Wales recently, they then find a way of coming back. It’s ultimately the sign of a great team.“
“I’d like to think again that South Africa will be one of those teams in the semifinals.”
Have to agree Johnny. Alas the same can't be said of the wee abs!
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/140731/Wilkinson_impressed_by_Boks_pace
