World champions South Africa train in London ahead of facing out-of-form England
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England face a tall task if they are end their recent woe as Steve Borthwick’s side welcome world champions South Africa to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Four successive defeats by fine margins have piled the pressure on England, with Borthwick left furious by a loose performance against Australia last weekend. The squad have closed ranks this week as they attempt to channel the pain of that run and last year’s World Cup semi-final, when they let a game they had in their grasp slip away as the Springboks roared back to victory.
Rassie Erasmus’s visitors have seemingly only improved since then, evolving significantly during a successful Rugby Championship campaign. Several key players were rested against Scotland last weekend and South Africa still emerged on top – Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among those restored to the starting side for what should be a physical, fierce affair.
Follow all of the latest from the Allianz Stadium in our live blog below:
England vs South Africa
And we also went inside the mind of the Springboks enforcer to find out all about the most capped South African of all time:
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 17:15
England vs South Africa
The second row battle between Maro Itoje and Eben Etzebeth could be titanic today. The Independent sat down with England’s lock polymath ahead of the Autumn Nations Series…
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 17:10
South Africa team news
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.
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.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 17:00
England 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.
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.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 16:50
England must learn lessons of past to confront mighty Springboks challenge
It was 13 months ago in Paris that an unfancied England shook the Springboks, taking control for an hour at the Stade de France. Several senior figures within the squad insisting since that they successfully rattled the eventual World Cup winner – but having let that semi-final slip from their grasp, and after recent familiar failings, it’s time for Steve Borthwick’s side to learn their lesson.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 16:40
Cheslin Kolbe: ‘To win World Player of the Year would be special, but that’s not anywhere close to my mind’
Back in the Springboks side today is the mighty mouse Cheslin Kolbe, maybe the best wing in the world and South Africa’s unique utility man:
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 16:30
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
Rugby is a game of grey areas. From foul play to scrum-time skirmish, one’s opinion on a particular incident can vary greatly depending on the lens through which it is viewed. Even top officials disagree with regularity on moments of contention, while plenty a perplexed look from a player has betrayed an alternate view at a coaching or refereeing call.
It is partly through their ability to thrive within these indeterminate spaces that has helped the Springboks become double World Cup winners. While their unique approach to the sport has so often driven debate, South Africa have generally managed to innovate or dominate in ways that no other side seems capable. From loading up with seven forwards on the bench to maximise their second-half scrum impact, to employing traffic lights in the coaches’ box to improve on-field decision-making, it is a side that searches for every possible edge.
But now even the Springboks are stepping out of the grey. “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” director of rugby Rassie Erasmus explains, having instigated a significant evolution of his team this year from a side that wins with brilliant basics to one capable of winning in all ways.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 16:15
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say South Africa are bullies who don’t care what others think – but we do’
The Springboks have been on a charm offensive this autumn, offering new insight into their methods and mindset. Here, Rassie Erasmus explains why his side want to be loved:
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 16:00
Siya Kolisi: Clashes between South Africa and England ‘always personal’
Siya Kolisi admits “it’s always personal” as South Africa prepare to face an England side intent on revenge at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks are aiming to inflict a fifth successive defeat on England in a rematch of last year’s stormy World Cup semi-final, which they won through a late Handre Pollard penalty.
The bad blood from a mighty physical confrontation in Paris lingers, exacerbated by the race row that erupted when England’s Tom Curry claimed he had been called a “white ****” by Bongi Mbonambi, an allegation denied by the South Africa hooker.
Kolisi insists the Springboks’ motivation is the same every time they step on to the pitch, knowing that winning successive World Cups has made them the game’s most sought-after scalp.
“It’s always personal. That’s just how we prepare ourselves for games,” South Africa’s captain said.
“It’s got to be personal. It’s another man trying to run through you in-game, it doesn’t get more personal than that. So every game for us is personal.
“This one, in Twickenham, is a big game and we know what England have been going through. We’ve been in their position before.
“We know we’ve got a target on our back at all times. Every single team that plays against us…we’ve got to make it as personal as possible because we want to stay where we are.”
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 15:45
Freddie Steward reveals key to earning England recall for South Africa clash
Freddie Steward insists his game has evolved during his England exile but will remain true to his core strengths when South Africa visit Allianz Stadium.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday described his ability in the air as “devastating”, while Steve Borthwick views it as his “super strength”.
The 6-foot-5 Leicester Tiger started 2024 as first choice in the position but lost his place to George Furbank midway through the Six Nations and has appeared in only three of this year’s 10 Tests.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 November 2024 15:30
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