Boks tackle 'Cup final'

The Springboks are at the end of the longest season in history, yet there is a deep sense of resolve and expectation that they can finish the year on a high as they prepare to face England at Twickenham tomorrow.

Several players have billed this match "their final" - not the final match of the year or tour, but their Cup final. It's a mindset coach Heyneke Meyer expects as the team attempts to finish the tour with a third win and take their unbeaten streak over the Roses to six years and 11 matches.

Since the Boks lost 23-21 at Twickenham in 2006, they've won nine and drawn one game against England, but victory tomorrow would possibly be the most impressive of all. Victory would also secure the Boks a first unbeaten northern hemisphere tour since 2008, and only their fourth in 20 years of regular end-of-year tours.

Once again, the outcome should be decided by the pack, and the damage it can inflict.

Despite aching bodies and strained muscles, these magnificent eight, who have been so impressive since midway through the Four Nations, should have the beating of their opponents.

England's pack - without a real fetcher, a retreaded centre at hooker in Tom Youngs and a green lock in 21-year-old Joe Launchbury - looks fragile.

Launchbury is England's answer to Eben Etzebeth; powerful and athletic. But, unlike the South African, Launchbury hasn't proven himself against the best in the world. There is little doubt the clash of the two youngsters in the engine room will be one of the great sub-plots of the match.

The Bok loose trio has power and balance, with Francois Louw revelling in the support provided by Duane Vermeulen and Willem Alberts. Vermeulen's ability to make the first tackle allows Louw time to swoop in over the ball and cause disarray at the breakdown.

This has been one of the main reasons for the pack's improvement since mid-season.

Add to that the ball-carrying strengths of hooker Adriaan Strauss, Alberts and Etzebeth, the lineout prowess of Juandre Kruger and the scrumming power of Jannie du Plessis and you have what amounts to a quality pack.

Behind the scrum Pat Lambie has a chance to stamp his authority on the game with his third successive selection at flyhalf. The continuity with Ruan Pienaar at scrumhalf and Jean de Villiers at inside centre can only benefit the cohesion of the inside backs and, as a consequence, the fluidity of the outside backs.

Don't be surprised to see slightly more ambition from the Boks tomorrow. England are expecting the broadsword, which they will surely encounter; but they're not expecting the rapier.

As one final denouement of the Boks' season, Meyer will ask his team to break free of the shackles and demonstrate that their progression is well under way - in every way.