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England needs more convincing victory over Springboks to stop doubters

England coach Andy Robinson wants his team to improve its form with the ball in the second rugby international against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday (available on pay-per-view).

Despite having snapped a seven-Test losing streak that equalled a 34-year-old record by beating the Springboks 23-21 last week, England was still unconvincing and chose too many poor options.

``Our whole performance became narrow last weekend,'' Robinson said. ``At one stage, we were attacking in just 13 yards of width.

``We made basic errors that need to be corrected this week. If our defence had not been as good as it was, then we could have conceded two or three tries through our poor kicking.''

Fullback Josh Lewsey, whose defence in the first half last week kept England in the game, said the players had shown desire _ if not execution.

``Last weekend, it was very telling how much we all wanted to play for each other,'' he said. ``And we probably learnt more about each other than if we'd won by 20 points.''

Robinson, who has only won nine of 21 Tests since replacing Sir Clive Woodward as England coach in October 2004, will meet with the Rugby Football Union after this match with his job on the line.

South Africa Jake White, who left eight first-choice players at home to rest or recuperate, was encouraged by his team's performance in the first Test after losing 32-15 to Ireland on Nov. 11.

``The most positive aspect of that game for us is that it showed we are capable of beating England, as opposed to the potentially negative influence the Ireland game could have had,'' White said. ``We emerged from Twickenham last week believing in ourselves even more. That is an important attribute for a team as young as ours.''

White is under as much pressure to keep his job as Robinson after the Springboks were beaten 49-0 by Australia and finished last in the Tri-Nations. He will face the South African rugby board next month.

England fly half Charlie Hodgson has a serious knee injury and has been replaced by Andy Goode, while prop Andrew Sheridan is also out injured with Phil Vickery coming into the team.

Hooker Lee Mears comes in for George Chuter and lock Chris Jones replaces Ben Kay.

Flanker Kabamba Floors will debut for South Africa after injuries to Pierre Spies and Jacques Cronje.

``I will be targeting the loose forwards and the inside backs,'' Floors said. ``I've watched them play a lot and I know I will have to play to the best of my ability but I am ready for it.''

Andre Pretorius starts at fly half ahead of Butch James despite a lacklustre game against Ireland.

``He has 23 Test caps as a Springbok and we have put a lot of faith in him over the past couple of years,'' White said. ``Now we need to see him go up a level if he's going to play in the World Cup.''

___

England

Josh Lewsey, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Jamie Noon, Ben Cohen, Andy Goode, Peter Richards; Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Julian White, Tom Palmer, Chris Jones, Joe Worsley, Pat Sanderson, Martin Corry (capt.).

Replacements: George Chuter, Tim Payne, Ben Kay, Lewis Moody, Shaun Perry, Toby Flood, Mark Van Gisbergen.

South Africa

Francois Steyn, Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Andre Pretorius, Ricky Januarie; C.J. van der Linde, John Smit (capt.), B.J. Botha, Johan Ackermann, Johann Muller, Kabamba Floors, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw.

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Deon Carstens, Albert van den Berg, Gerrie Brits, Ruan Pienaar, J.P. Pietersen, Bevin Fortuin.




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End: England needs more convincing victory over Springboks to stop doubters
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