England battle South Africa in the final Test of their Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham this afternoon.
Eddie Jones’ side are looking to sign off a topsy-turvy 2022 in style with a statement victory over the reigning world champions, having wiped out a 19-point deficit in sensational style with three last-gasp tries to rescue a thrilling 25-25 draw with New Zealand last weekend.
While England were firmly second-best in only their third showdown with the All Blacks in eight years, that late, late show will no doubt have boosted confidence further after a shock defeat by Argentina to open the autumn was followed by a confident seven-try rout of Japan.
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The Springboks head to south-west London after thumping Italy to respond to close defeats by Ireland and France, but without Rassie Erasmus with the controversial director of rugby once again banned for his latest social media antics criticising match officials that continue to cause a stir.
This is only England’s second clash with South Africa since losing the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama, with revenge successfully achieved last November thanks to a decisive late penalty from Marcus Smith.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs South Africa will take place on today, November 26, 2022 with kick-off set for 5:30pm GMT.
Twickenham Stadium will host the match.
How to watch England vs South Africa
TV channel and live stream: Saturday’s match will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service available on multiple platforms including smart televisions, phones, tablets and laptops.
A subscription to Amazon Prime currently costs £8.99 per month in the UK.
LIVE coverage: You can also follow all the action via Standard Sport’s match blog, with expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at Twickenham.
England vs South Africa team news
Jones has made four changes to the England side that started against the All Blacks, with Mako Vunipola and Jamie George replacing vice-captain Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie in the front row.
Versatile Northampton lock Alex Coles is handed a recall at blindside flanker to add extra lineout prowess, with Sam Simmonds also dropping to the bench and Jack Willis cut completely.
In the backs, Tommy Freeman gets the nod over Jack Nowell for his first appearance since the summer tour of Australia, with Manu Tuilagi earning a 50th Test cap - some 11 years after his first - as the Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell axis is kept intact and Jack van Poortvliet stays despite his rough outing against New Zealand.
England resist the urge to bring in double-try hero Will Stuart, influential centre Henry Slade or Ben Youngs from the off.
South Africa are hampered by this match falling outside the international Test window, with the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach and Andre Esterhuizen all unavailable having returned to their clubs. Former World Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is suspended, meanwhile.
There are four changes in total to the XV that started the 63-21 hammering of Italy in Genoa as the Boks pulled away with a typically physical second-half showing, with Eben Etzebeth, Jesse Kriel, Makazole Mapimpi and Evan Roos all drafted in.
Damian de Allende has been moved to inside centre and Kurt-Lee Arendse swaps flanks, with wing Canan Moodie back on the bench after injury and joined by South Africa ‘A’ players Thomas du Toit, Marco van Staden and Jaden Hendrikse among Jacques Nienaber’s replacements.
England vs South Africa lineups
England XV: Steward; Freeman, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Coles, Curry, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Ribbans, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Nowell.
South Africa XV: Le Roux; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Mapimpi; Willemse, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Orie, Kolisi (c), Mostert, Roos.
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Du Toit, Van Staden, Smith, Hendrikse, Libbok, Moodie.
England vs South Africa prediction
England were well below par for much of the game against New Zealand before that crazy finish, with their pack particularly struggling and firmly second best at the set-piece.
Improving that has been the chief focus for what promises to be a furious, blood-and-thunder encounter with the Boks, who pride themselves on brute strength and overwhelming physicality.
If they can stand up to that challenge, then England should be able to compete with the world champions, who are far from infallible as showcased by those losses in Dublin and Paris.
But be found wanting in that department and South Africa will take full advantage, with threats all over the park despite a somewhat depleted selection.
England to shade a close encounter.
England vs South Africa odds
England win: 4/6
South Africa win: 13/10
Draw: 19/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
