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Tom Curry knows what it takes to defeat South Africa as he braced England for the fight of their lives in Saturday\u2019s World Cup semi-final at the Stade de France.<\/p>\n
Curry was part of the side that was crushed by the Springboks in the 2019 final, but he also played in England\u2019s two victories against their rivals in 2018 and 2021 as well winning with the British and Irish Lions that same year.<\/p>\n
Having experienced highs and lows against the reigning champions, Curry has built up an insight into the type of performance needed to topple the world champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been lucky enough to experience both sides. I understand what it takes and it\u2019s going to be a lot so can\u2019t wait to go after it this weekend,\u201d the all-action openside said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always a great game when you play against them. We know the Springboks and they\u2019ve developed their game. They\u2019ve matured and we have as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a clash between two very exciting teams and we can\u2019t wait to go. It\u2019s a semi-final. If that\u2019s not enough to get you up for a game then I don\u2019t know what will.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me there\u2019s no place you\u2019d rather be than in a semi-final against South Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wing Elliot Daly is another survivor from England\u2019s harrowing defeat in Yokohama four years ago and one of a small group of players whose international careers were revived by Steve Borthwick\u2019s appointment in December.<\/p>\n
The versatile Saracens back, who had fallen out of favour with Borthwick\u2019s predecessor Eddie Jones, believes that experience has no relevance to Saturday\u2019s rematch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was disappointing four years ago but the feel around this team is that it\u2019s a very different team to then,\u201d Daly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a bit of time out from the squad and then when I came back in, there was a different feeling within this group. We\u2019re going to try and harness that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daly will form a back three with Jonny May and Freddie Steward, who has been reinstated in the number 15 jersey after losing it to Marcus Smith for the quarter-final victory over Fiji.<\/p>\n
Even if Smith had not been ruled out by concussion, however, it is unlikely Steward would have been overlooked given he has the skills needed to deal with South Africa\u2019s precision kicking game.<\/p>\n
\u201cFred\u2019s been brilliant since he started playing for England. The confidence he\u2019s shown since the start of the World Cup campaign has been brilliant,\u201d Daly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a rock at the back under the high ball and he\u2019s really starting to grasp the attack game now.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s making really good decisions on the edge, which are usually putting me in space, which is nice. He\u2019s a quality player and we back him all the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe relationship between us in the back three now is brilliant \u2013 we can talk to one another on the field and make sure we\u2019re in the right positions to try to take advantage of any space back there.\u201d<\/p>\n