London: England prop Joe Marler has urged the 2015 World Cup hosts to channel the frustration following their defeat by New Zealand when they face South Africa in the second of four November internationals at Twickenham on Saturday.
England established a 14-11 half-time lead against world champions New Zealand, but the All Blacks won 24-21 as they beat Stuart Lancaster’s side for the fifth successive match,
“Our levels of frustration are high and the game review was very honest. I can’t really use the words that I’d like to use!” Marler said.
“We knew what we had to do in that second half. We spoke about it at half-time. And then we came out and did the opposite. Now we expect a reaction from ourselves,” the Harlequins captain added.
“We’ll take the frustration into this weekend. From a personal point of view it’s important to use that frustration to spur you on that little bit more.”
England have not beaten South Africa in 11 matches dating back to 2006, with their best performance a 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth two years ago and they remain the only major side the Red Rose brigade haven’t defeated since Lancaster became coach.
Marler played the first of his 23 Tests against the Springboks, who suffered a shock 29-15 defeat by Ireland in their European tour opener on Saturday, and hasn’t forgotten the experience.
“The 2012 tour was a baptism of fire for some of us. Physicality is part and parcel of their culture,” Marler said.
“Against every international team you’ve got to be physical otherwise you’re going to get pumped, but South Africa as a nation stand very tall and proud.
“Their DNA is run hard and if that doesn’t work then run harder. They pride themselves on that.
“It always takes more than we expect from ourselves to beat the southern hemisphere teams.
‘Set the standard’
“They’ve set the standard over the years and are continuing to do so, but I’d like to think we’ve got a squad now who can stand toe-to-toe with them.
“It’s about having the belief that we’re not just capable of hanging in there, but can ramp it up ourselves at the right time and take them to some darker places.”
Lancaster’s record against the ‘big three’ of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia — the teams England must get past if they are to win the World Cup next year — stands at just two wins from 12 Tests.
“I don’t think self-belief has been dented in that we’re going in the wrong direction, but losing has made it important to produce that 100 per cent performance,” Lancaster said.
“South Africa will have come to the northern hemisphere confident and rightly so after a good Rugby Championship culminating in beating New Zealand.
“But Ireland played and beat South Africa on Saturday, so there will be a reaction from them.”
