England face a tough task if they are to salvage their Autumn Nations Series campaign as they host South Africa.
Steve Borthwick’s side are now four games without a win after back-to-back defeats to New Zealand and Australia to open their November, and now take on the world champion Springboks.
The visitors narrowly beat England in last year’s World Cup semi-final in Paris en route to securing their second consecutive crown, but both sides have undergone significant changes since then.
South Africa opened their northern tour with a win over Scotland last weekend despite resting several key players at Murrayfield.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is England vs South Africa?
England vs South Africa is due to kick off at 5.40pm GMT on Saturday 16 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage from 5.15pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Team news
England have returned Freddie Steward to their starting side with the full-back recalled at George Furbank’s expense, while Leicester colleague Jack van Poortvliet makes his first start at international level since suffering a serious ankle injury last August. Sam Underhill is brought in with Tom Curry undergoing concussion return-to-play protocols, and Ollie Sleightholme steps in for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing.
South Africa make 12 changes from the win over Scotland, with most of Rassie Erasmus’s key figures brought back. Tighthead prop Wilco Louw makes a first start since 2021 in an otherwise familiar and fearsome Springboks pack, while Manie Libbok starts at fly half as Handre Pollard takes on a closing role on the bench. That replacement unit shows a traditional five forwards to three backs split.
Line-ups
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (captain), 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 10 Marcus Smith; 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Freddie Steward.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Tom Roebuck.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonami, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 RG Snyman; 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Odds
England win 12/5
Draw 24/1
South Africa win 3/7
The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
