BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Robinson angered by Bok tactics

England full-back Jason Robinson has hit out at the tactics employed by South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

Robinson suffered an ear injury in England's 53-3 victory but should be fit to line up for Sale against Bath in the Zurich Premiership on Friday.

But the blow left him unable to hear his team-mates' calls, and he is furious at what he describes as over the top tactics by the Springboks.

I think there's a perception that we have discipline problems, but I don't think so

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli

"I'm really upset by what went on," said Robinson. "It had nothing to do with football.

"They played it dirty from the start and our boys quickly got bloody noses for no reason."

Robinson was not the only England player to suffer.

Woodward irate about 'brutal' Boks

A tackle by Jannes Labuschagne on Jonny Wilkinson saw the South African dismissed in the 23rd minute.

Wilkinson later went off with a shoulder injury.

South Africa's Werner Greef has also been cited for a dangerous tackle on Phil Christophers.

But Robinson believes the South Africans should alter their focus.

"They have got some good players but perhaps they should concentrate on playing rather than maiming," he said.

England's Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson had to go off injured on Saturday

South Africa coach coach Rudolf Straeuli defended the tactics and denied he had sent his team out to intimidate England illegally.

"I think there's a perception out there that we are an aggressive nation and that we have discipline problems, but I don't think so," he said.

"We're proud of the boys. They went as boys and came back as men. We didn't get the results we wanted but at the end with 14 men they showed huge character.

"I don't think we were over motivated," he said. "We are applauding our defence. Scrambling with fourteen men there were some huge and great tackles and that's part of the game.

"In our defensive pattern you have to target someone like Jonny Wilkinson like the French did earlier in the year," he added.

"We didn't target him to take him off the field but we were trying to cut him off from his back line and his kicking options."


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