Former Bok Hennie le Roux believes there is a ‘significant lack of respect towards the South African management team’ in the current Springbok camp.

The Boks have lost five games out of nine during a forgettable season to date, and Le Roux said he expected England to inflict another defeat on the national side this Saturday.

‘There’s been quite a lot of turmoil in South African rugby,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘At this point, England playing at home I think will have the edge.’

Having seen the Springboks suffer their heaviest defeat at home in a 57-15 hammering at the hands of the All Blacks in their final Rugby Championship Test, Le Roux said it was a real concern that South African rugby was on such a decline.

‘When I was fortunate to play there, one of the aspects that I experienced was to receive direction from those who were either skilled at coaching or had played at the highest level. When they haven’t been in that environment, it’s almost as if it doesn’t carry the same weight.

‘I think there’s a significant lack of respect towards the South African management team, in terms of having the players’ respect and the players acknowledging when they’re being spoken to by someone who’s informed and has had the experience.’

He said there was a definite need to address where the root of the problem lay.

‘Is it the character of the players? Is it in the guidance and support they are receiving or is it something more deeply rooted in the makeup of the team. If they are ever ripe for the taking, it is now.’

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