Springboks great Bryan Habana has weighed in on the state of the England men’s team after a disappointing showing in 2024.
The former winger believes that England are in an “OK place” and says that Steve Borthwick’s outfit’s performance in the 2025 Six Nations will be a real marker of where the side is.
This comes after Borthwick’s charges finished third overall in the 2024 Six Nations but would go on to lose both of their Tests against the All Blacks in July after beating Japan but would go down to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham, ending the year with a victory over the Brave Blossoms in their final game of the year.
England’s ‘tough time’
However, Habana believes that England can turn things around in 2025 after their narrow losses in November as the margins in Test rugby right now are so small.
“Listen they’ve had a tough time, so Autumn Nations Series a couple of points losses against New Zealand and Australia – who they probably should have beaten,” the Springboks legend said on For the Love of the Game with Laura & Ally on Discovery+.
“Against New Zealand, they were in a position to win, South Africa they got a really good lesson around the world champions and Japan was always a big game with Eddie Jones coming back.”
The former winger noted that Borthwick also inherited a team that was “divided” in 2023 after he replaced Eddie Jones as head coach and are still recovering from that even though they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup last year.
Bryan Habana: ‘This is the best Springboks collective that we have ever had’
He also highlighted the vast international experience the team has lost with several seasoned stars heading to France and others calling time on their Test careers.
“The margins at the highest level are so small, this England team is in a bit of a transition, Steve Borthwick has had a lot of pressure. He got a team that was still very much divided when Eddie left and that was an absolute debacle a couple of months before a World Cup to try gel a team,” he continued.
“Then Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Courtney Lawes, and Mako Vunipola, these incredible, experiential, phenomenal players leave so to fill those gaps isn’t easy.”
‘This England side is in an OK place – it’s not that bad’
Still, Habana feels as though England aren’t far off from turning things around and will be boosted by players’ hunger to be on the plane to Australia next year through their performances in the Six Nations.
“I really do think the Six Nations will be a telling marker of where this England side is and Ireland might have a little bit of a dip with Andy Farrell leaving for the Lions,” he added.
“But there are definitely a few players who will know to get a Lions position for the tour of Australia next year, you are going to need to perform at some point in the Six Nations.
“So are they far off? Definitely not, they’ve lost against number one and two teams in the world by a few points, I’ve lost to Japan and I’ve lost 49-0 against Australia.
“This England side is in an OK place – it’s not that bad.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bryan-habana-six-nations-will-be-a-telling-marker-for-england-after-tough-time-for-steve-borthwick
