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Sinckler: England must improve to beat Springboks

England’s Kyle Sinckler 13/11/2021
Kyle Sinckler is under illusions of the size of the task England face in front of them on Saturday, as they prepare for a World Cup final re-match against South Africa.

Kyle Sinckler is under illusions of the size of the task England face in front of them on Saturday, as they prepare for a World Cup final re-match against South Africa.

Eddie Jones’ side secured an eighth straight win against Australia on Saturday, with Freddie Steward and Jamie Blamire crossing for tries in a 32-15 win.

Sinckler was impressed with their performance but knows they must step it up against the Springboks in their final Autumn Nations Series game.

“I am satisfied with the result, today we had to really dig deep,” he said.

Springboks make three changes for England clash

“It wasn’t perfect, I felt we were a little bit scrappy and the breakdown needs to improve but we got there in the end.

“To win and put 30 points past a top-quality Australia side, we will take that but we definitely we need to improve next week.”

Saturday’s contest means more to Sinckler than most. He started the World Cup final but was taken off after just three minutes following a collision with teammate Maro Itoje.

“From my personal experience, I don’t remember too much but it’s a huge game, he added.

“I was only on the field for a minute or two! If we want to be the best we have to beat the best. They are world champions and ranked No.1 in the world. It will definitely be an exciting week and something that I’m relishing.”

Sinckler will be a familiar face to the Springboks but England are a much-changed team from the one that faced them in Yokohama two years ago.

New faces like Steward, man of the match against the Wallabies, Blamire and Marcus Smith have impressed and the fresh faces’ efforts have not been missed by Sinckler.

“It’s exciting times for English rugby, the new guys have really impressed me in terms of the way they handle themselves and the way they train,” he added.

“Now being seen as a senior player it is my job to push them.

“The main thing for us is building momentum, we just want to perform well and excite the crowd. We want to attack more and take the game to teams.”

South Africa have beaten Wales and Scotland in the Autumn Nations Series so far and are targeting their first unbeaten tour to the northern hemisphere in eight years,

Their signature powerful game helped them overcome Scotland 30-15 on Saturday and Sinckler knows it is not just their scrum England must be wary of.

He said: “I wouldn’t just single out their scrum, it’s also their ruck, maul and kick-chase, they are a top-quality outfit. The biggest thing from playing against them quite a few times (On the Lions tour) is that you cannot switch off. Otherwise they will make you pay.”