South Africa have 'definite intent' to play running game amid suggestions of England kicking focus - Bryan Habana

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With Jack van Poortvliet selected at scrum-half and Freddie Steward at 15, Steve Borthwick's England could be looking to rely on their kick-chase to get a foothold in their Autumn Nations Series clash with South Africa at Twickenham this Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Bryan Habana and Danny Care dissected the two sides' line-ups for clues ahead of a defining fixture.

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South Africa have a "definite intent" to play a running game against England on Saturday in their Autumn Nations Series clash, reckons legendary ex-Boks winger Bryan Habana.

Steve Borthwick has selected Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half, with Freddie Steward set to patrol the skies at full-back, in a nod to how the England head coach expects the game to plan out.

South Africa are no strangers to using kicking as part of their tactical approach, but Habana thinks there may be more to it, as the TNT Sports panel previewed the much-anticipated clash, to be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Habana, speaking on TNT Sports' Autumn Nations Rugby Show, said: "We have shown over the last six years that the kick game is pretty special.

"We'd probably go for the scrum penalty last kick of the game to win it. But there's definite intent to play a running game."

Ex-England scrum-half Danny Care, alongside Habana, added: "[Van Poortvliet] is a guy that Steve [Borthwick] knows very well from his days at Leicester.

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"He's a young, exciting scrum-half, almost the hybrid between a [Ben] Spencer and a Harry Randall. He's got the kicking game and he's very quick and very strong.

"It seems like England are going to try to kick the leather off the ball this weekend, which may or may not work against the selections the South African team have picked."

South Africa go into the match having beaten Scotland 32-15 at Murrayfield and are the favourites to beat an England side looking to avoid five straight defeats.

"The mentality of this Springboks team is 'how do we get better over the next three years leading into the 2027 World Cup?'" Habana added.

"And they're testing themselves against England - over the last six or seven games at Twickenham it's been between five to seven points for a victory, so there's definitely no roll of the dice to win this one.

"It's about how we strategically put the evolution of the team into play and put resources there that we can play a different brand of rugby."

Care highlighted the threat South Africa pose in attack, insisting England will need to step up in various areas of their game to stand a chance.

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"I think England will maybe expect an aerial bombardment from South Africa, but it looks like they've picked some runners," Care added.

"But this England pack is going to have to deal with the formidable South African lads up front.

"Their scrum dominance is incredible. [England] need to get parity there if they're to have a chance to launch some attacks."

England v South Africa kicks off at 17:40 UK time on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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