England are considering 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 understood to be considering recalls for Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet as a result. Borthwick will name his side early this afternoon and will make at least two changes with both Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 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 set to confirm side to face South Africa this afternoon with Steve Borthwick considering changes
Springboks recall several key players rested from win over Scotland
Two sides meet at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday evening
10:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And 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.
10:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
One 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’
10:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The 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’
10:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Rassie 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
10:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 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
09:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Henry 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
09:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two 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 suffer double injury blow before South Africa test
09:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 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
09:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A 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.
