Inside information helps Springboks

SOUTH Africa want Jerry Flannery to draw on his inside knowledge of Marcus Smith to shut down England’s playmaker at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

- DUNCAN BECH

Harlequins ringmaster Smith was England’s most dangerous player in Saturday’s 42-37 defeat by Australia, helping to set up four of their five tries in an attacking masterclass.

“We were keen to suffocate him, but he just kept breathing,” said an impressed Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt after the match.

Flannery has a deep understanding of Smith’s game, gathered during his four-year spell as an assistant coach for Harlequins, a post he held until joining Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks this year.

“Marcus is a class player,” South Africa attacking coach Tony Brown said.