England have made significant changes to their line-up as they attempt to salvage their Autumn Nations Series campaign against South Africa.
The Springboks arrive at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to face a home side that has lost their last four games, with Steve Borthwick giving recalls to Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet as a result. Borthwick includes the Leicester pair at the expense of George Furbank and Ben Spencer, while Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are ruled out after suffering head injuries.
The visitors, meanwhile, have revealed their team this morning with Rassie Erasmus bringing back some of the key figures rested or used from the bench in the win over Scotland. Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Siya Kolisi are among those brought back in as the double World Cup winners again display their enviable depth. But the ever innovative Erasmus has sprung a slight surprise at fly half, where Manie Libbok is preferred to Handre Pollard.
Follow all of the latest from both camps in our live blog below:
England vs Springboks LIVE
- England confirm side to face South Africa as Steve Borthwick makes four changes
- Springboks recall several key players rested from win over Scotland
- Two sides meet at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday evening
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test on TV and online
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd here is the full schedule across the rest of November:
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test
How to watch England vs South Africa
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhen 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+.
Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership and politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleMaro Itoje starts again for England in the second row, with the lock an increasingly key leader for the side. Here he is chatting Lions, leadership and politics:
Maro Itoje on politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
Rassie Erasmus knows England coach Steve Borthwick ‘is a bit under pressure’
14:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleRassie Erasmus insists Steve Borthwick is a coach under pressure as South Africa look to inflict further misery on England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
England are playing to avoid a fifth successive defeat when they host the all-conquering back-to-back world champions with Borthwick’s win rate for his 26 games in charge now 50 per cent.
The Rugby Football Union insists Borthwick has its “100 per cent full support” despite the last-gasp losses to New Zealand and Australia that have soured the autumn.
England took South Africa to the wire with a safety-first kicking game in last year’s World Cup semi-final and Erasmus suspects Borthwick will fall back on tactics that have been effective in the past.
Rassie Erasmus knows England coach Steve Borthwick ‘is a bit under pressure’
Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet recalled to England side
13:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleJack van Poortvliet is back in an England side for the first time since fracturing his ankle during last year’s World Cup warm-up fixtures.
Jack van Poortvliet making up for lost time after World Cup injury woe
England vs South Africa team news: Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet start against Springboks
13:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleFreddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet have been recalled to the starting England side to take on South Africa as Steve Borthwick makes four changes.
Steward takes the place of George Furbank at full-back, hinting at a shift in strategy, while Van Poortvliet is preferred to Ben Spencer at scrum half and in line to make his first international appearance since breaking his ankle last August.
Sam Underhill and Ollie Sleightholme, who makes a first international start, are brought in to replace Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who both miss out with concussion.
England vs South Africa team news: Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet start
England team to face South Africa
13:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland XV to face South Africa at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (5.40pm GMT, Saturday 16 November): 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.
England set to name team to face Springboks
13:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland will confirm their team in half-an-hour - what changes will we see? Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are both ruled out with head injuries.
Maro Itoje says wounded England want ‘to do fans proud’ against South Africa
12:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleMaro Itoje insists England are determined to make amends after their autumn blues continued.
World champions South Africa are the daunting assignment facing Steve Borthwick’s men next Saturday as they look to regroup following defeats by New Zealand and the Wallabies.
Australia are ranked ninth in the world and finished bottom of the Rugby Championship, yet they struck three minutes into overtime to snatch victory in a frantic climax that scrambled the brains of everyone at Twickenham.
Itoje says England are eager “to do the fans proud” by dispatching the Springboks, putting a respectable shine on a Autumn Nations Series that has so far provided only crushing disappointment.
Maro Itoje says wounded England want ‘to do fans proud’ against South Africa
Naive England facing latest identity crisis after most damaging defeat yet
12:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe loss to Australia might have been England’s most damaging defeat yet, the hosts playing entirely into the Wallabies’ hands as they deviated from Steve Borthwick’s gameplan.
Naive England facing latest identity crisis after most damaging defeat yet
Ben Earl admits England are testing fans’ patience after narrow defeat to Australia
12:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Earl has admitted that England are testing fans’ patience after their latest slip-up against Australia.
A fourth consecutive defeat sparked renewed questions over the side’s direction under Steve Borthwick, with the goodwill earned in the Six Nations win over Ireland now surely squandered.
While three narrow defeats to the All Blacks came against high-class opposition, the Wallabies have been languishing in the world rankings and finished bottom of the Rugby Championship, yet came out on top in a helter-skelter affair at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Ben Earl admits England are testing fans’ patience amid losing run
England wing Tommy Freeman vows to atone for ‘difficult’ South Africa experience
12:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleTommy Freeman is eager to erase the distressing memory of his last appearance against South Africa at the Allianz Stadium when England face the world champions on Saturday.
Two years ago Freeman became a victim of Eddie Jones’ brutal policy of replacing players early in matches if he felt they were underperforming, resulting in his substitution at half-time of the 27-13 defeat.
The Northampton wing, who was 21 at the time and making only his third Test appearance, was scapegoated for England’s aerial game malfunctioning, although he was never given an explanation by Jones for his removal.
England wing Tommy Freeman vows to atone for ‘difficult’ South Africa experience
Siya Kolisi returns as Springboks recall big guns for England clash
11:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa have rung the changes for their clash with England as Rassie Erasmus recalls most of his key individuals to his starting side.
Siya Kolisi, RG Snyman and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among those promoted from the bench, while Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe return after being rested at Murrayfield.
Wilco Louw is in line for a rare start at tighthead in the absence of Frans Malherbe, and Manie Libbok is backed ahead of Handre Pollard having been hooked half-an-hour into last year’s World Cup semi-final between these two sides.
Siya Kolisi returns as Springboks recall big guns for England clash
Rassie Erasmus on backing Manie Libbok at fly half
11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We always like to give guys chances again. Manie hasn’t played a lot in the last couple of weeks, so we’ve had to get him going. He had a bit of a break with the Stormers, whereas Handre has kept playing, playing, playing. We’d like to give Manie a second chance, and we know what his skillset is. We’ve got security on the bench with Handre.”
Rassie Erasmus on Bongi Mbonambi’s mentality after Tom Curry allegation during World Cup
11:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle“He is fine. It was more than a year ago. I don’t think it is in his head anymore. Well done to everybody who was part of that and the way they handled that, because it didn’t disrupt us.”
World Rugby make ruling over Tom Curry racial slur allegation against Bongi Mbonambi
Rassie Erasmus on the scrum battle
11:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle“We’ve got England on a few occasions at the scrum, but they’ve had our number a few times. It is a battle from beginning to end. Out of the last five times we’ve played out of the World Cup, they’ve won four games. We don’t have a great record here. We haven’t done well at Twiceknham in the last five years.”
Rassie Erasmus on his Springboks selection
11:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I don’t think England will change their gameplan because of what I say here. They tend to go to a hell of a kicking game. If your backline don’t have the ability to match that, you do get cramps and tiredness. Guys like Jesse, Damian and Cheslin haven’t played in the last five weeks but they have kept really fit. We’ve got Lukhanyo [Am], Handre [Pollard] and Cobus [Reinach] as cover to try to match their speed and running ability.”
Rassie Erasmus suggests why England may be struggling to close out games
11:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle“England play a really energy-sapping game which will take a toll on our backline, but their blitz defence will also take a toll on them. If we can keep the ball, that will tire them. But we are also a team that have line speed.”
Rassie Erasmus expecting England to revert to more conservative gameplan
11:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Steve Borthwick has been successful playing a certain style. At Leicester, they were very much driven around pressure, physicality, kicking game. When you lose two games, even by a point or a last-minute try, the pressure starts to build. I’ve been there, and you normally fall back on what works for you. They’ve been successful like that in the past. We very much expect them to squeeze us with the kicking game.”
Rassie Erasmus speaks after Springboks reveal side to face England
11:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleRassie Erasmus: “The think was done three weeks ago, prior to us getting on to the plane. We’ve been rotating the whole year. We are trying to create depth and quality in depth so that if we get two or three injuries, the third guy isn’t totally new to our system.
“Out of all the teams, England are the only team that don’t have a six-day turnaround. We’ve got a six-day turnaround this week. To handle their kicking game and defence, that will have a heavy load on our backs, so that’s why we have gone five/three on the bench.”
Springboks reveal side to face England
10:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleRassie Erasmus has arrived for media duties after naming his Springboks side to face England. We’ll bring you some of the best bits from his press conference imminently.
Springboks team news - South Africa ring changes
10:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd here is the South Africa line-up, with 12 changes made to Rassie Erasmus’s side. Only Eben Etzebeth (lock), Ox Nche (prop) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker) retain their starting jerseys from Sunday’s Test in a 23 which includes a whole new backline and eight personnel changes. Manie Libbok and Grant Williams are paired in the halves, while Erasmus opts for a five/three bench split, as he has consistently against England of late.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonami, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 RG Snyman; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 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.
A welcome return for Wilco Louw as the #Springboks made 12 changes to their starting team to face England in London on Saturday 💚💛#ForeverGreenForeverGold
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 14, 2024
Cheslin Kolbe: ‘To win World Player of the Year would be special, but that’s not anywhere close to my mind’
10:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne man likely to come back into the Springboks side is Cheslin Kolbe. I sat down with him ahead of South Africa’s campaign:
Cheslin Kolbe: ‘To win World Player of the Year would be special’
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say South Africa are bullies who don’t care what others think – but we do’
10:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks are on a charm offensive. South Africa have won two World Cups, a British & Irish Lions series and added a rare Rugby Championship crown this summer to further cement their place as the rulers of the rugby realm. Yet outside of their homeland, there is a sense of a side not feted widely, as much loathed as liked.
And everyone wants to be loved. “You don’t want to make other people unhappy,” Springboks supremo Rassie Erasmus admits. “You don’t want people not to like you. You don’t want people to think you are stubborn. You don’t want people to think you are arrogant, especially if you see the characters in this team.”
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say we are bullies who don’t care what others think – we do’
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
10:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleRassie Erasmus should name his team in the next hour or so, with most of the big guns back after some key figures were rested against Scotland. The Springboks have evolved beyond their brilliant basics this year, as Erasmus and Siya Kolisi explained to me in Jersey a couple of weeks ago.
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
England coach Richard Wigglesworth makes stunning admission about exiled colleague Felix Jones
10:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland do technically still have former Springboks assistant Felix Jones under their employ, with the Irishman working remotely as he serves a 12-month notice period after handing in his resignation. Comments from colleague Richard Wigglesworth this week suggested, though, that England are not necessarily tapping too much into his inside knowledge of the double World Cup winners...
England coach Wigglesworth makes stunning admission about exiled colleague Jones
England will not move away from their DNA to match South Africa – Henry Slade
09:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleHenry Slade insists England will resist the temptation to strip back their gameplan in a quest to rescue their autumn by toppling South Africa at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
England’s attack has evolved significantly since a watershed defeat by Scotland in February but they now find themselves in the midst of a four-Test losing run that is expected to be extended by the back-to-back world champions.
It took a long-range penalty from Handre Pollard to sink Steve Borthwick’s men at the death when the rivals last met in a ferocious 2023 World Cup semi-final that has turned this weekend’s meeting into a grudge match.
England will not move away from their DNA to match South Africa – Henry Slade
England suffer double injury blow before South Africa with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ruled out
09:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo players definitely out for England are Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Curry. The pair suffered head injuries in the defeat to Australia and are progressing through return to play protocols - Ollie Sleightholme appears to be the favourite to come in on the wing, while Curry could be replaced by twin brother Ben or fellow “Kamikaze Kid” Sam Underhill.
England set to make changes to combat ‘unintended consequences’ of law tweak
09:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland are understood to be considering a recall for Freddie Steward as they look to combat the impact of the crackdown on “escort runners”, which has shaped much of the action over the last two weeks. We explain everything you need to know about the law tweak and why Steward might be the answer:
England mull changes for Springboks to combat ‘unintended consequences’ of law tweak
England vs Springboks team news LIVE
09:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleA very good morning and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of all of the latest team news and views from inside the England and South Africa camps as the two sides get set for battle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday.
Both England boss Steve Borthwick and Springboks schemer Rassie Erasmus are set to name their line-ups today, with the two head coaches considering changes.
We’ll have all the news as it happens throughout the day.
