Bok brawn must deliver in Rugby World Cup final

The past two years have seen the Springboks rebuild their notorious reputation as the bullies of World Rugby.

The physicality that was once a hallmark of South African Test rugby sides had waned somewhat since the side last lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007.

During that era coach Jake White's obsession with selecting the biggest forwards irked some but the strategy proved to be decisive as the Springboks fought their way to glory in France 12 years ago. 

Their pack was second to none and rattling off the names that started in the 2007 final against England is a reminder of the firepower South Africa had. 

The front row featured veteran props Os du Randt and CJ van der Linde with skipper John Smit packing down at hooker. 

Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha made up one of World Rugby's greatest ever lock pairings. 

The pack was completed by an imposing loose trio featuring a marauding Schalk Burger, tireless Juan Smith and bulldozing number 8 Danie Rossouw. 

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Those eight men provided a solid set-piece platform but managed to carry their imposing bulk around the park and shut down England defensively in order to close out a tightly contested World Cup final. 

In the years since those glory days, the Springboks have struggled to impose themselves as effectively as they once did. 

But that has changed in the past 18 months as the current crop of Springboks have not only matured but have bought in to new structures brought in by the director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and his right-hand man Jacques Nienaber.

Nienaber has had a big role in developing the Springboks' aggressive rush defence system that harkens back to the days of White and Eddie Jones - the man in charge of the Springboks' opposition this weekend. 

Boks' brutal pack must deliver

Nevertheless, without the quality crop of players at their disposal, the Springboks' system might not have the bite it currently has. 

It is not hard to argue that the Springboks have developed a pack that is just as physical as the side that won the World Cup 12 years ago. 

The current front row has blossomed timeously, with centurion Beast Mtawarira producing some of the best performances of his career in recent months. 

Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx have been pushing each other for a starting berth throughout the competition and no matter which of the two hookers starts or finishes the match, the Springboks are guaranteed high workrates strong carries and big tackles from both men. 

The Springbok engine room features a complementary mix of sheer physicality and mobility from Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager. 

De Jager has been credited as the brains behind the Springboks lineout which has only lost one of their own throw in the whole tournament.

Etzebeth is not only a key jumper but the Springboks' enforcer, channelling his inner Bakkies Botha to physically dominate the opposition. 

The Springbok loose trio is well balanced with skipper Siya Kolisi, blindside flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and number 8 Duane Vermeulen. 

All three get through a mountain of work but they will certainly have their hands full containing England's youthful back row featuring flanks Sam Underhill and Tom Curry as well as big number 8 Billy Vunipola. 

While the Springboks have rediscovered the brutality they were once renowned for, they face their biggest test yet this coming weekend. 

England proved that their pack has become one of the most imposing in World Rugby in their demolition of the All Blacks last weekend. 

Set pieces will be tightly contested and have become a prime point for teams to try and force penalties. 

Whichever pack gains the ascendancy in that facet of play could end up securing vital point scoring opportunities for their team. 

In order for the Springboks to win the World Cup, they will need to outmuscle England's pack and impose themselves physically to take the sting out of England's attack. 

Brawn also needs to be complemented by some brains and that is where Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard will come into play. 

The Springboks half backs will have to be accurate and decisive with their tactical kicking to keep their pack going forward. 

South Africa meet England in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday. Kickoff is at 11am South African time. 

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