England in line for a heavy fall against the Boks

If anyone has been living in a cave for the last few days, they would be forgiven for thinking that England had a prayer against South Africa in the Stade de France. But that is not the case, and on Friday night the world should see exactly how far the world champions have fallen since their glorious victory over Australia four years ago. Things are conspiring against England. They struggled markedly against the USA at the weekend, they have lost their captain to an enforced ban due to a ludicrous challenge in that game, and now confusion reins over the No 10 jersey as both Mike Catt and Andy Farrell have said prior to the game that they are playing at fly-half due to injuries to Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley. Farrell was one of the best rugby league players on the planet, but it is surely too much to ask of anyone, especially one who has never played pivot, to help orchestrate a victory against the third best team in the world. All the talk has been of how Brian Ashton has several past England captains in his squad, but World Cup winners, or teams who can beat the best sides at least, need influential, singular leadership - Martin Johnson, John Eales and Francois Pienaar spring to mind - and although Martin Corry's efforts are admirable, neither he, Jason Robinson, or line-out leader Ben Kay have got what it takes to drag the Sweet Chariot across the finish line in first place. To be fair, Jake White hardly has things going all his way, what with flanker Schalke Burger being suspended and centre Jean de Villiers tearing his bicep against Samoa on Sunday. These are mere trifles though compared to England's woes, and White and former Australia coach Eddie Jones have named their most powerful side in the circumstances. One player who leaps out from the team sheet is replacement centre Francois Steyn. Steyn looked in good touch when he came on against Samoa in his side's opening fixture, and with him on the pitch, spread bettors should consider selling the time of the first match drop goal at 59. The last time these two teams met in France, Jannie de Beer kicked five drop goals to propel the Springboks to a convincing 44-21 win against England in 1999 - it was the last time England lost a World Cup match. A similar scoreline looks the order of the day here, but it really is impossible to know how bad England could be on the night. South Africa beat them 55-22 and 58-10 at home in the summer and although the visitors were under-strength then, they are hardly firing on all cylinders here. As a guide, France beat a decent England side 22-9 at a canter in August and that sort of winning margin must surely be the least South Africa can hope for in St Denis. Verdict: 2pts South Africa -17 @ 10/11 (SportingBet) (Editor's Note: Are England really as bad as people think or will they prove they are a team to reckon with against the Springboks. Follow all the latest prices on Sportingbet!)