'Mature' Bok pack up to the challenge - Proudfoot

The looming battle between the Springbok and England forward packs has been a major talking point in Tokyo this week. 

The driving force behind the preamble was England's comprehensive victory over the All Blacks in the first semi-final last weekend. 

Eddie Jones' side dominated set-piece play and smothered New Zealand's attack with an aggressive rush defence strategy while their forwards punched over the advantage line whenever they had possession.

It was a performance that was widely hailed as England's best outing in many years. Jones' side is now being touted as the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. 

The English pack has received a lot of credit for their successful World Cup campaign. Given their powerful performances, some scribes believe they will have too much firepower for the Springboks this Saturday as well. 

Speaking to the media on Wednesday from their team hotel in Tokyo Bay, forwards coach Matt Proudfoot offered a more objective view of the looming challenge. 

"We’ve played them four times in the last 18 months, and it’s been 2-2. They were the victors in the last two, and we were the victors in the previous two. I think it’s going to be very tight between the two sides," Proudfoot said. 

"They were very efficient and very powerful against New Zealand, and were probably the trendsetters. For us to match that intensity, it’s something we’ve spoken about.

"They were really good, and I don’t think it was just brute force – there was a lot of intelligent play, very effective play from their pack. I was very impressed with what I saw, so it’s going to be a great challenge for us to meet that." 

Bok forwards have matured

Throughout the tour of Japan the Springbok coaching staff have complimented their playing group for taking ownership of certain facets of play. 

Proudfoot in particular has spoken at length of the way in which his forwards have taken it upon themselves to not only plan for games but analyse their opposition and breakdown every challenge they've faced. 

The final hurdle now awaits the Springbok pack and Proudfoot could only compliment his charges for their growth and maturity over the past 18 months. 

Saturday will be the ultimate proof of whether the Springboks forwards can not only step up but rise above the challenge posed by the English pack. 

"I must mention, being a forwards coach and my contact time with the forwards, how mature the guys have become over the last three or four years. It’s Siya Kolisi's 50th cap this weekend. It’s a great achievement for your captain to have his 50th cap in this game," Proudfoot explained. 

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"Duane and Pieter-Steph have gone past 50; Eben Etzebeth has 80, 'Beast' is on 118 I think Steven is getting close to 50, Frans Malherbe is about 40 to 45.

"So, the group as a pack is really experienced, and what’s impressed me is how they solve their problems internally. A lot of guys have been here and are in their second World Cup, and we have empowered these guys to handle the situation.

"I suppose the side that does what they do better will be the more successful team."

The Springboks will name their side for the Rugby World Cup final at 09h30 (02h30 RSA) Japanese time on Thursday. 

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