Ox Nché has cautioned against writing off England's scrum ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, pointing to the quality on display in the recently completed Premiership season as evidence that the tourists carry genuine threat.
"They're going to definitely man-up upfront, try to be physical," the 47-cap loosehead said at a press conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday. "They have a lot of exciting wings, they have a lot of variation to the game as well. It's not like we all used to know them, stick to one thing — I think when they see opportunities on, they have all the talent and youngsters to maybe finish an opportunity when it arises."
Nché specifically highlighted Northampton Saints and Bath as proof that English club rugby is producing capable, high-energy players. "I think it's a team that's full of energy. I think they're a pretty sharp team."
Erasmus echoed that assessment, drawing on his own experience of how quickly fortunes can reverse in Test rugby. "They've lost five on the trot and I guess that's why people immediately will think 'they are in trouble'," he said. "But from experience myself … a week is a long time. We lost 57-0 against New Zealand away and then the next weekend it was a two-point game."
He also referenced the 2023 Rugby Championship thrashing at the hands of New Zealand — five months before the Springboks lifted the World Cup — and last year's home defeat to Australia before South Africa went on to win the Rugby Championship, as further illustration that recent form is a poor predictor of Test outcomes.
"If you look at those England players, we are under no illusions … we know what we're getting into on Saturday," Erasmus said.