Legendary Springboks Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers have been left confused by the style that England are beginning to employ.

The Red Rose made it to the Rugby World Cup semifinals in 2023, but they are currently working on their 2027 tournament strategy.

Under new coach Felix Jones, Steve Borthwick’s team played a rush defense and was clearly more daring than they were against Italy in their Six Nations opening in France.

The system’s launch

The Azzurri’s first-half tries were a direct result of some disarray in their rearguard, but they largely fixed it for the second half. It was a mixed start.

Jones was a former member of the Springboks brain trust, having worked with the defense first before switching to the attacking end of the team after the World Cup.

Burger claimed that the Irishman, who recently became the Red Rose’s defense coach, was essentially “copying” Jacques Nienaber’s style.

England utilized their advantages in the previous year. “They had the best kicking game and defense at the World Cup,” the illustrious backrow told the Boks Office podcast.

Felix Jones is heading over there this year, and I thought he did a fantastic job leading our Springbok attack. “We all have massive respect for Felix – his work ethic and how he coaches the attack. All of a sudden he pops up on screen as a defence coach and he is copying a Springbok style of defence.

“If you watch the highlights, there’s one terrifying scene with Tommaso Allan’s attempt. Twelve English defenders are taken out by a second pass, three players in the ruck, five players on the blind, and a four-on-one with Elliot Daly. There is more work in that defensive system to be done.

De Villiers’ perspective

De Villiers, another former Springbok, was likewise perplexed by England’s choice to appoint Jones as their defensive coordinator.

The 36-year-old assisted Mzwandile Stick with the attack after first being hired in by the Boks as a defense consultant.

“England starts anew this year. They see what Felix has done with the Boks. You employ him, but you employ him for something totally different,” the ex-centre said.