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Rassie Erasmus expects semi-final opponents England to have \u201csome beef\u201d with South Africa due to their defeat in the final of the last World Cup.<\/p>\n
Springboks director of rugby Erasmus began the mind games ahead of Saturday\u2019s Paris showdown by listing Steve Borthwick\u2019s potential team selection.<\/p>\n
England are out for revenge after being beaten 32-12 by Erasmus\u2019 side in the 2019 final in Japan\u00a0when they were coached by Eddie Jones.<\/p>\n
Reigning champions South Africa are overwhelming favourites for victory and expected to face New Zealand, who take on Argentina in the other last-four fixture, in the final.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo talk about the All Blacks would be disrespectful to England because they\u2019re a massive, massive speed bump for us to get over,\u201d said Erasmus.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore so a pothole than a speed bump because I was just looking at the possible teams I think can play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have so many experienced players that played against us last time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think because they\u2019ve played us in the World Cup final they will have some beef with us. I think they were be very physical, I think they will definitely step it up at all set phases.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erasmus moved into his current role after guiding his country to glory at the expense of England four years ago in Yokohama, with Jacques Nienaber replacing him as head coach.<\/p>\n
I think because they’ve played us in the World Cup final they will have some beef with us<\/p>\n
The 50-year-old went into specific statistical detail of the two teams he believes will take to the field at Stade de France.<\/p>\n
He then, when prompted, listed England\u2019s possible matchday 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have averaged 200 minutes per player, they 260,\u201d said Erasmus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the average caps of our team will be about 54, they\u2019ll be about 59. I think the average age of our team is 30, the average age of their team about 29. And then the average weight is 104 (kilograms) and 105.<\/p>\n
\u201cEngland are unbeaten, they stuck to their guns since he (Borthwick) has been appointed, and they kept believing in what they\u2019re doing and it\u2019s paying off.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see their team is full of belief and they will definitely be hurting from not just last year when we beat them (27-13 at Twickenham) but also from the World Cup in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo they will be a very, very desperate team and a team which we respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked for the England team written down on his sheet of paper, Erasmus replied: \u201cWe\u2019re guessing obviously.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl, Mitchell, Farrell, Daly, Tuilagi, Marchant, May and Marcus Smith or Steward then Marler, Cole, George (Martin), Billy (Vunipola), Ben Youngs or Danny (Care), George Ford and Ollie (Lawrence), that\u2019s who we think.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we might be totally wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n