England's rugby supporters should be careful what they wish for, according to former international Ugo Monye. While the current winning run is cause for optimism, facing the world champion South Africa Springboks right now might be a step too far. The Springboks remain the undisputed standard-bearers in world rugby, poised to end the year as the official number one team.
England's Formidable Progress Under Borthwick
Monye believes that England have genuinely closed the gap on the southern hemisphere giants this autumn. He points to three key areas where Steve Borthwick's side has made significant strides. Firstly, the set piece has improved immeasurably, with the scrum now a genuine force and the lineout's wobble against New Zealand likely just a blip.
Secondly, England are now statistically the leading side at successfully chasing kicks, a fundamental part of the modern game that has been a staple of South Africa's success. Furthermore, England's work at the breakdown has come on in leaps and bounds, making them a more complete and abrasive team to play against.
Where The Springboks Still Hold The Advantage
Despite England's progress, Monye highlights several areas where the Springboks remain streets ahead. South Africa's use of the 'Bomb Squad' bench is still the global benchmark for proactive, game-changing substitutions. Their innovation in developing hybrid players is also more advanced; they have a fly-half who can step in at hooker and centres who can play flanker.
The most significant gap, however, might be in defence. This autumn, South Africa have conceded just 38 points in three matches, a remarkable record that includes navigating two red cards. While England's defence is less porous than a year ago and is helped by a more prolific attack, they are not yet on the Springboks' level in this department.
The Road to the 2027 World Cup in Australia
Looking ahead to the next global tournament, Monye identifies a crucial advantage for England. While several key members of the Springboks squad may not make it to the 2027 World Cup due to age, the vast majority of Steve Borthwick's England players are on course for Australia. This long-term certainty over his playing pool is a major asset that Borthwick must maximise if England are to finally upstage the reigning champions.
The challenge for England is not simply to copy the Springboks, but to learn from the areas where they are world leaders. By the time England catch up, the ever-innovative South Africans are likely to have moved on. However, with the core of a young squad secured and clear improvements being made, the gap at the top of world rugby appears to be narrowing.
