Lock’s form has been improving of late and he will be key to result in Rugby World Cup semi-final
behind closed doors. It is arguably the last of those truly towering Itoje displays with which he bestrode the game for the previous four or five years, as he in turn was eclipsed by Eben Etzebeth in the second and third Tests.
But there have been signs of Itoje rediscovering his mojo too, especially in the 14-man win over Argentina and last week’s quarter-final win over Fiji. It also seemed pointed that when asked if Etzebeth still sets the benchmark for locks, Itoje gave the notion little heed in also not mentioning the spiky Boks lock by name.
Of course, this is also a repeat of the final four years ago, which South Africa won 32-12 and Itoje is one of 13 survivors in England’s ‘23′ from that day, while the Springboks retain 15 of the same match-day squad. Itoje spike of a “heightened awareness” within the England squad this week, the appreciation that they needed to deliver, and it’s clear that he himself has accepted a level of personal responsibility in this.
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