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Cape Town - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is aware of the challenge that awaits his side when they face England on their year-end tour to Europe.
England are unbeaten under new coach Eddie Jones, having won this year's Six Nations, as well as defeating Australia 3-0 in a Test series Down Under.
It’s a stark contrast to the team that bowed out of the group stages of last year's Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks are unbeaten against England in 12 Tests dating back to 2006, but given the Boks’ recent woes, many pundits are predicting an England victory when the nations clash at Twickenham next month.
“I studied their series against the Wallabies and some of the things that caught my eye are the belief that Eddie Jones instilled in them, as well as the way in which he backs them,” Coetzee told Netwerk24.
“They have a monster pack and their defence is rock solid. Then Owen Farrell is also a very accurate goal-kicker.
“It all paints a dark picture, but we definitely won't stand back one inch.”
The Boks start their tour with a clash against the Barbarians at London’s Wembley Stadium (November 5), followed by the match against England at Twickenham (November 12), as well as Tests against Italy (Florence, November 19) and Wales (Cardiff, November 26).
Coetzee picked two Boks squads - one for the Barbarians clash and another for the three subsequent Tests.
Springbok squad v Barbarians:
Forwards (17)
Lourens Adriaanse, Nizaam Carr, Uzair Cassiem, Eben Etzebeth, Lizo Gqoboka, Lood de Jager, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Jean-Luc du Preez, Roelof Smit, RG Snyman, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit
Backs (13)
Damian de Allende, Ruan Combrinck, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Rudy Paige, Sergeal Petersen, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Tian Schoeman, Jamba Ulengo, Francois Venter, Piet van Zyl
Note: No foreign-based players available for Barbarians match
Springbok squad v England, Italy and Wales:
Forwards (18)
Willem Alberts, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Preez, Roelof Smit, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Warren Whiteley
Backs (15)
Damian de Allende, Ruan Combrinck, Faf de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Rudy Paige, Sergeal Petersen, JP Pietersen, Willie le Roux, Francois Venter, Piet van Zyl
