The England rugby world cup star weighs 18kg less than the man mountain he faces in South Africa

When England plays South Africa in the Rugby World Cup, Ben Earl will have to fight Duane Vermeulen in a match that will test his mettle.

There is a clear example of the magnitude of the task England faces at No. 8 when they take on world champions South Africa on Saturday night at the Stade de France.

One of the stars of England’s World Cup campaign, Ben Earl, will be gifting 18kg to Springbok mountain man Duane Vermeulen.

England aren’t exactly tiny, but when the imbalance with Vermeulen was brought up, there was a moment of silence, as if the full weight of the situation finally registered. “It’s a World Cup semi-final. It’s sink or swim.

Let’s hope I swim,” said Earl. “I’ve got to bring the best of myself and play to my strengths. I know what I’m trying to get out of the weekend. To play against someone like him is going to be brilliant. Anyone who has played against him says he’s one of the smartest players as well as the biggest.”

I’ve been watching highlights of some of their players in the pack since I was 12.

“I hold them in the highest regard.” However, the only way to show them respect is to give it our all and see where it takes us after 80 minutes.”

For Earl and England, there will be a brilliant boxing component involved. When you carelessly walk into a line of enormous green traffic bollards, you usually wind up in last place.

Rugby cannot be limited to Steve Borthwick’s route one strategy. However, given the nature of the game, England will eventually have to use fire to put out fires.

“You’re going to struggle to win a Test match in international rugby if you’re not physically at it and if you don’t physically impose yourself,” said Earl.

Borthwick has made alterations to his pack because facing up in confrontation zones is something that England cannot compromise on.