South Africa captain Siya Kolisi left baffled by Eddie Jones remarks

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says he is baffled by Eddie Jones’ claim that he insinuated England’s pack is “weak” following the 2019 World Cup final.

The Springboks triumphed 32-12 on that famous occasion with the two sides meeting again later today (Saturday, November 20).

In the build-up to today’s match England coach Jones said England were ready to make South Africa pay for implying their pack is physically weak.

“They said after the World Cup final, where they beat us fair and square, that they knew how to play to us, they knew where our weaknesses were,” Jones said.

“Kolisi said he knew how to beat us. Their game is based on physicality and they were implying that our forward pack was weak.

“But our English forward pack won't be weak on Saturday. We'll have 82,000 people supporting us and we are looking forward to taking them on in that physicality.”

However, the Springboks skipper was left puzzled by those remarks saying he couldn’t remember ever saying it.

“I’m still trying to figure out when I said all those things,” he said.

“I never speak about the other team in that way. I’ve never spoken like that before. I don’t remember saying that.

“We know how we want to play rugby and that’s what we pride ourselves on. We do our research on how they want to play. We want to make sure our plan works against their plan.”

England conclude their autumn schedule against South Africa in what should be an electric affair.

Both teams have each won both of their autumn outings so far with the Springboks beating both Wales and Scotland while England overcame Tonga and Australia.

England have, however, been forced to shuffle their team following injuries to captain Owen Farrell and Jamie George.

Meanwhile South Africa head coach Jacques Nienabar has recalled first-choice fly-half Handre Pollard.

The tourists will also be smarting from the judgement handed down by World Rugby on their Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, banning him from Twickenham.

England Team

(Backs) Freddie Steward; Joe Marchant, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May; Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; (Forwards) Bevan Rodd, Jamie Blamire, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill; Courtney Lawes (c), Sam Underhill, Tom Curry

South Africa Team

(Backs) Willie le Roux; Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach; (Forwards) Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Siya Kolisi (c), Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen

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