Monday 19 September 2016 09:48, UK
World Cup winner Schalk Burger expects England to keep improving under head coach Eddie Jones.
Burger, who won 86 caps for South Africa during a glittering 12-year Test career, sees the similarities between Jones' England and the Springbok side that bounced back from World Cup disappointment in 2003 to win the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007.
South Africa were knocked out of the 2003 World Cup at the quarter-final stages by New Zealand and that prompted an overhaul of the Springboks, with Jake White taking over as head coach and Jones coming on board as a technical advisor.
Since England made a miserable pool stage exit under Stuart Lancaster from the 2015 World Cup they hosted, Jones has led a stunning transformation by masterminding nine successive victories, including a Six Nations Grand Slam and 3-0 Test series triumph against Australia.
Burger now packs down with England internationals Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola at Saracens and he admits Jones' side have impressed him.
"These players are good players," he said. "I am playing with the core of England's forward pack, and I think they are hungry for success.
"I think after the (2015) World Cup, these guys were ready to take the next step. Obviously, that World Cup was a massive disappointment.
"I went through that in 2003 when we got knocked out and Jake White took over a young squad eager to improve, and Eddie was off the back of that in 2007 when he was assistant to Jake and eventually we won it. So I see a lot of similarities with this England group."
England launch their autumn series against South Africa at Twickenham on November 12, when they will encounter a Springboks side that has been way off the pace in this season's Rugby Championship, which was won two rounds inside the distance by world champions New Zealand.
"I'm South African, so I am always going to back the Springboks," Burger added.
"They are going through a transition, so England can probably be confident when they face them, but Twickenham has been a very happy hunting ground for the Springboks. I hope we can turn it around."
Saracens are just three games into the season, but they remain unbeaten in pursuit of a possible third successive Premiership title - a 27-12 victory over Northampton being their latest success - and Burger has been impressed by what he has seen.
"It has been really enjoyable," he said. "I have played Super Rugby for many years, and it has a different allure to it. You spend your energy on different things.
"Here, we have a pretty technical game, so it was important for me to learn how Saracens play. Luckily for me, it has been pretty seamless. They are a great bunch of boys, which makes it easier to settle.
"It is not the easiest season to join Saracens, with the trophies they won last year, but I think that is what excites this group of players, they want to win more.
"It is contagious how hard they want to work and to improve. How the team aligns itself off the field is pretty important, and that is similar to what I experienced back home in Cape Town.
"A lot of the time that can give you the extra five per cent when you have that extra feeling for the bloke next to you, playing for your mates.
"I have only been here recently, but the guys really seem to respond to being challenged in difficult circumstances. It is a good attribute to have."
