England vs South Africa: Maro Itoje Speaks Ahead of Facing Springboks in Rugby World Cup

England vs South Africa: Maro Itoje Speaks Ahead of Facing Springboks in Rugby World Cup

Raphael Abiola
updated at October 18, 2023 at 1:35 PM
  • Maro Itoje has explained how England should approach the game against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup
  • The Saracens lock acknowledged the fact that the Springboks are the current number-one team in the world
  • The winners of the semi-final clash will face either Argentina or New Zealand in the final of the competition

Maro Itoje has spoken ahead of England's semi-final clash with South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France on Saturday, October 21.

Springboks defeated host nation France in the quarter-finals before setting up a clash with the Red and Whites in the last four.

The Three Lions were also victorious against Fiji in the last eight on Sunday, October 15.

Maro Itoje
Maro Itoje shared his thoughts ahead of England's semi-final clash with South Africa. Photo: David Rogers/Ramsey Cardy.
Source: Getty Images

England lock Itoje has disclosed what is required from the Red and Whites in the game against the defending champions to get a win, according to a report by the Guardian.

"You have to attack it. You have to attack every facet of the match," he said.
"When you get to the semi-final stage of World Cups, you are playing the higher‑quality teams, and everything is a contest."

The Saracens lock also spoke about Steve Borthwick's side not being the favourite to win the match.

"We knew they were the number one team in the world [ranking], but it was about what we were going to do and how we were going to play and how we were going to impose ourselves," he added.

The winners between England and South Africa will face either Argentina or three-time champions New Zealand in the final.

South Africa climb world rugby rankings

Sports Brief earlier reported that the reigning world champions South Africa have returned to the top of the world rankings after their run in the current Rugby World Cup in France.

The Springboks have qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament and will take on England in the final four, a repeat of the 2019 final.

The defending champions booked their place in the semis with a 29-28 win over the host nation, France, Rugby365 reported.

Authors
Raphael Abiola photo
Raphael Abiola
Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over five years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015.
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Rugby World CupSouth African Rugby Union (SARU)South Africa