England v South Africa: Maro Itoje urges team-mates to seize day to upset Springboks
England v South Africa: Maro Itoje urges team-mates to seize day to upset Springboks

2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final: England v South Africa |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 21 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Maro Itoje has instructed his teammates in England to overlook the past and the future in order to throw South Africa off course at Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semifinal. When the teams played again in November 2022, England was soundly defeated and fell to the Springboks in the 2019 final. Itoje said to BBC Radio 5 Live, “These opportunities don’t come around very often.”
“We cannot afford to let the events of next week, two weeks from now, or four years ago divert our attention. Everything revolves around what occurs on Saturday night.” Itoje, a 28-year-old who was part of the starting XV for England four years ago in Yokohama when they lost 32–12 to South Africa, believes the mood at the camp has heated up as they try to exact revenge and terminate the Springboks’ championship defense.
“It is an incredible opportunity, an incredible privilege and honour to be here,” he said. “These moments are special in your career.”From the atmosphere at camp to the lads’ focused attention, it is evident that this is a major week. The location exudes a distinct energy.”
‘England ready for Springbok semi-final challenge’
After South Africa’s outstanding effort to defeat hosts France last weekend, England is clearly the underdog. Itoje has represented England or the British and Irish Lions in South Africa ten times, winning four of those games.
“The DNA of South African rugby is more or less always consistent – strong set piece, strong kicking game, they have some very, very quick backs, good at the breakdown,” he stated. “They are a good team, a good all-round team.” Itoje, who will start in the second row with George Martin of Leicester for just the second time, believes the 22-year-old will provide the necessary edge when facing South Africa’s potent front five. He declared, “George is an amazing player.” “His attitude is great – he is a real, real workhorse, his energy, his impacts.”He’s a young, strong forward for Leicester, and they usually make them a little gnarlier up there. “He is not the loudest, but he speaks through his actions.”
Earl ‘excited’ by Bok-busting gameplan

The eighth Ben Earl has been one of England’s most impressive players thus far in the competition, outpacing every other player in the squad in terms of meters gained and line breaks made.
Earl’s efforts led defense coach Sinfield to assert earlier this week that, given their present form, the Saracens would be a strong contender for a World XV.The 25-year-old back row player claims that England’s coaching staff has devised a strategy to overcome the odds and lead the team to a World Cup final for the second time in a row. “I am not going to tell you what it is but it is a really exciting plan for us, one that plays to our strengths in terms of the team we have selected,” Earl said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The onus now shifts on the gamers to make it come to life. Every plan has small details that speak to you and make you believe that you can accomplish the task. The key is to identify your game plan specialization and pursue it.We aspire to be players for the big games, for the big occasions. We’ll see where we wind up if both they and we improve.” Maro Itoje has instructed his teammates in England to overlook the past and the future in order to throw South Africa off course at Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semifinal. When the teams played again in November 2022, England was soundly defeated and fell to the Springboks in the 2019 final.
Itoje said to BBC Radio 5 Live, “These opportunities don’t come around very often.” “We cannot afford to let the events of next week, two weeks from now, or four years ago divert our attention. Everything revolves around what occurs on Saturday night.”
Itoje, a 28-year-old who was part of the starting XV for England four years ago in Yokohama when they lost 32–12 to South Africa, believes the mood at the camp has heated up as they try to exact revenge and terminate the Springboks’ championship defense.
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“It is an incredible opportunity, an incredible privilege and honour to be here,” he said. “In your career, these are unique times.
“You can definitely tell this is a big week, from the mood in camp, from the concentration of the boys, you can definitely tell there is a different energy about the place.”
“England prepared to face the Springbok semifinal” After South Africa’s outstanding effort to defeat hosts France last weekend, England is clearly the underdog.
Itoje has represented England or the British and Irish Lions in South Africa ten times, winning four of those games.
“The DNA of South African rugby is more or less always consistent – strong set piece, strong kicking game, they have some very, very quick backs, good at the breakdown,” he stated.
“They are a good team, a good all-round team.”
Itoje, who will start in the second row with George Martin of Leicester for just the second time, believes the 22-year-old will provide the necessary edge when facing South Africa’s potent front five. He declared, “George is an amazing player.” “He has a fantastic attitude and is a true workhorse. His energy and influence are remarkable.
“They usually make them a little gnarlier up there, and he is a physical, young forward for Leicester.”
“He is not the loudest, but he speaks through his actions.”
Earl was ‘excited’ by the strategy that broke the book.
Before England plays Japan, Ben Earl and Steve Borthwick had a conversation.
Ben Earl (left) has developed into a vital member of Steve Borthwick’s group.
The eighth Ben Earl has been one of England’s most impressive players thus far in the competition, outpacing every other player in the squad in terms of meters gained and line breaks made. Earl’s efforts led defense coach Kevin Sinfield to assert earlier this week that, given their present form, the Saracens would be a strong contender for a World XV.
The 25-year-old back row player claims that England’s coaching staff has devised a strategy to overcome the odds and lead the team to a World Cup final for the second time in a row.
“I am not going to tell you what it is but it is a really exciting plan for us, one that plays to our strengths in terms of the team we have selected,” Earl said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The onus now shifts on the gamers to make it come to life. Every plan has small details that speak to you and make you believe that you can accomplish the task. It all comes down to identifying your game plan specialization and pursuing it. “We aspire to be players for the big games, for the big occasions. We’ll see where we wind up if both they and we improve.”