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Jesse Kriel ran in one of South Africa’s seven tries - David Rogers/Getty Images
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A fifth Test defeat in a row for England and little evidence of the great reset promised for the Nations Championship after their humbling Six Nations campaign. South Africa ran in seven tries in a statement victory that ramps up the pressure on Steve Borthwick.
Once again discipline let Borthwick’s side down, just as it did so often during the Six Nations. They finished the contest with 13 men following yellow cards for Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper, and South Africa turned the scoreline into the rout they had promised from early in the first half, finishing with tries by Malcolm Marx and Ben-Jason Dixon.
There was a lack of ruthlessness in England’s finishing too, and at times there were simply outpowered by the relentless physicality of a Springboks side who were playing their first game together since last November.
South Africa had threatened to run away with his game after just 13 minutes, when they had hit England with a blitzkrieg of tries by Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse but late first-half tries by Ellis Genge and George Martin had given a glimmer of hope that England could kick on to secure what would have been their first victory at Ellis Park since 1972.
But it proved to be false hope, despite some positive moments. Fin Smith at times played with a freedom normally reserved for his club Northampton, Martin brought massive presence to the collisions, while Alex Coles, who crossed for a second half try, Ollie Chessum and Genge brought some fight to the forward exchanges.
Henry Pollock was booed on his entrance in the final quarter, but aside from a few neat touches, he was a marginal figure as the Springboks turned the screw in ruthless fashion by dominating the second half, with tries by Grant Williams and Jesse Kriel taking the game away from England before their final flourish, after Freeman and Pepper had been sent to the bin within two minutes of each other. A horrible night for England.
07:16pm
England head coach Steve Borthwick speaking to the BBC
07:10pm
David Flatman on ITV
07:08pm
England captain Jamie George
07:04pm
Player ratings
Our deputy rugby correspondent Daniel Schofield has cast his eye over England’s performance. The likes of Tommy Freeman and Cadan Murley might want to look away now.
06:57pm
Ill-discipline so costly
06:54pm
Danny Care on ITV
06:52pm
South Africa captain Pieter-Steph du Toit
06:49pm
Your reaction
- Robert Uplands: “They were never ever going to get close. Just not good enough. England’s run of rubbish rugby results continues.”
- John Langdale: “Borthwick should have gone after the disastrous Six Nations. If that didn’t do it, it’s hard to imagine what will.”
- David Hickman: “We should at least be trying to stay in the same street as them, even though they’re world champions. Still, we’re in with a shout of beating Japan and Italy, at least. Aren’t we?”
- Tony Amirite: “We were in it at half time. Bad discipline crept in. We looked good for periods, we just need a better coach. Still have time to improve before the RWC.”
- Jimmy Jones: “Can the RFU please sack Borthwick now.”
06:46pm
Fixtures for these sides this month
England:
Today- South Africa 45 England 21
July 11- Fiji vs England
July 18- Argentina vs England
South Africa:
Today- South Africa 45 England 21
July 11- South Africa vs Scotland
July 18- South Africa vs Wales
06:43pm
Man of the match Damian de Allende
06:36pm
Today’s games
New Zealand 34 France 32
Japan 27 Italy 10
Australia 31 Ireland 33
Fiji 24 Wales 39
South Africa 45 England 21
Argentina vs Scotland 8.10pm
06:32pm
Full time
South African fancy one more try in this game but they knock on inside the England 22. That is the final act of the game South Africa have ended up cruising to a 45-21 victory in Johannesburg. England were just three points behind at the break but the back-to-back world champions pulled away in the second half. That is now five straight defeats for England.
06:29pmTries • Video
TRY! Dixon puts the seal on the win
Moments after Wiese is brought down just shy of the England line, South Africa replacement Dixon is over from close range. Kolbe adds the extras.
06:28pm
77 mins: South Africa 38 England 21
Another penalty goes South Africa’s way as Cowan-Dickie is pinged for bringing down the maul illegally. It does get to a point where when one side gets penalised all the time you wonder what chance they have and they end up getting penalised no matter whether they are actually doing something wrong or not.
South Africa opt for the scrum.
06:27pm
76 mins: South Africa 38 England 21
South Africa kick ahead into the England 22 before the visitors are then penalised for holding on. I have to say some of the officiating today has been awful.
06:23pm
74 mins: South Africa 38 England 21
Freeman’s yellow card will remain so as the majority of the contact was through the body. That begs the question as to why it was a yellow in the first place then?
06:22pmTries • Key moments • Video
TRY! Marx seals it for South Africa
That is game, set and match in Johannesburg. There is no stopping the South African maul as Marx is the man to dot down at the back. England’s ill-discipline has been punished, as you would expect against a side of South Africa’s calibre. Kolbe gets the conversion.
06:21pm
72 mins: South Africa 31 England 21
Porthen carries hard into the England 22 and South Africa now have a penalty. Pepper is the man penalised for a tackle off the ball and not only that he is sent to the bin. England will end this game with 13 men. Not too many complaints from Pepper.
Libbok will put it into the corner.
06:19pmVideo
70 mins: South Africa 31 England 21
Freeman could be in trouble here. Willemse catches a high ball and the tackle always looked to be a bit high from Freeman. Is there head-on-head contact or maybe shoulder-to-head? There is shoulder-to-head contact but Willemse appeared to be falling backwards and some of the contact went through the body. It is definitely a penalty but how much than that is the question. Freeman is sent to the bin as it reaches the yellow-card threshold. It should absolutely though be no more than a yellow.
06:15pmTries • Video
TRY! Coles gives England hope
The visitors are not out of this game quite yet. Moments after Slade is brought down just shy of the line, Mitchell’s pass from the base of the ruck finds his club teammate Coles, who finds his way to the line. F Smith gets the extras and the gap is down to 10 with just over 10 minutes left.
06:15pm
68 mins: South Africa 31 England 14
England win the lineout and set the maul before earning a penalty advantage...
06:14pm
67 mins: South Africa 31 England 14
England make their first foray into the South African 22 for a while and now have a penalty for a tackle off the ball by Esterhuizen. England go to the corner as South Africa bring Reinach on at scrum-half.
06:12pm
65 mins: South Africa 31 England 14
South Africa make a double change as Esterhuizen and Wessels come on. Despite being a centre by trade, Esterhuizen is coming on in the back-row, which we have seen him do more and more for South Africa over the last 12 months.
Opoku-Fordjour is on for Heyes for England.
06:10pm
64 mins: South Africa 31 England 14
England have just lost their way in this second half, which has not been helped by their ill-discipline. It has been a while since they looked like scoring points.
06:05pmKey moments
59 mins: South Africa 31 England 14
There are boos ringing around Ellis Park so that can only mean one thing; Pollock is on. Obano is also on for England, who need some big impact from their bench.
06:03pmTries • Video
TRY! Kriel extends South Africa’s lead
England’s discipline is costing them in this second half and the hosts are starting to move clear again. They have possession inside the England 22 and move the ball smartly down the line to put Kriel in. Kolbe nails the tough conversion and South Africa’s lead is now 17 points.
06:03pm
56 mins: South Africa 24 England 14
Cowan-Dickie is on in place of skipper George.
06:01pm
54 mins: South Africa 24 England 14
England are bringing on Mitchell, Slade and Pepper. It appears that the South African fans thought Pepper was Pollock, thus why they booed him. Mistaken identity!
05:57pm
50 mins: South Africa 24 England 14
South Africa have made a change at tighthead prop with Porthen coming on. They have also brought on van Staden and Dixon in the pack.
05:55pm
49 mins: South Africa 24 England 14
England are so close to scoring but the ball goes forward. After a period of pressure inside the South African 22, F Smith makes a tiny break and tries to offload off the ground but the ball goes forward. Had it gone cleanly into the hands of Atkinson, it would have been a certain try.
05:53pm
46 mins: South Africa 24 England 14
That is what you call a coach killer as Nortje is penalised for obstruction straight from the kick-off. F Smith puts it into the corner.
05:51pmTries • Video
TRY! Williams darts over
England held out for a while but eventually the pressure pays off for South Africa. The hosts go through 20 phases inside the 22 before finally Williams darts over. He spots a gap between the ruck guard Curry and Chessum and has the speed to get through that gap to score. The try is converted as South Africa have their first points in half an hour.
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Frustratingly for England the second half starts in a similar fashion to the first. England make mess of contestable kick, concede a penalty after a series of drives, England’s defence is stretched and this time it is Grant Williams who scampers over for another try. The deficit is back to 10 points.
05:51pm
44 mins: South Africa 17 England 14
South Africa are knocking on the door deep inside the England 22 and the visitors need to step up defensively now. South Africa are well into double digits for phases and now have a penalty advantage...
05:48pm
42 mins: South Africa 17 England 14
Not the ideal start to the half as England quickly concede a penalty, which South Africa put towards the England 22. England then compound that by conceding another penalty at the maul. Libbok puts it into the corner.
05:46pm
Second half
We are back under way at Ellis Park. South Africa’s lead is just three points despite their formidable start after England’s fightback.
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Who says Henry Pollock does not relish his pantomime villain status? He has just run out by hiimself at halftime to a chorus of boos before the rest of the England replacements.
05:44pm
Danny Care on ITV
05:41pmAnalysis
Verdict at the break
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A glimmer of hope for England with tries by Ellis Genge and George Martin just before half-time. Given how this game started, it will be Steve Borthwick’s job to hammer home to his players that there still is a way back into this game. Having seen his side blown away by three tries in 13 minutes—by Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse—England have at least managed to regroup and stem fears that they would be routed. If South Africa had scored again, and they squandered a couple more opportunities, there would have been no way back.
But as the half wore on, England managed to get some shape into their game, and Fin Smith, perhaps realizing there was nothing to lose, has played with more of the freedom that he shows with his club side Northampton Saints. Jamie George saw a try ruled out as he was deemed to have been part of the ruck, but Genge scored from a tapped penalty after a show-and-go by Cadan Murley had given England front-foot ball, and then just before the interval, Martin powered over following a brilliant 50-22 by Smith.
Eight years ago at Ellis Park England raced into a 24-3 lead with tries by Mike Brown, Elliot Daly and Owen Farrell before the high altitude took their lungs and legs away. There look better prepared for the thin air this time, and as the half drew to a close, it was South Africa who looked more drained. Remarkably England can believe that a first victory here since 1972 is still possible.
05:37pm
Today’s games
New Zealand 34 France 32 FT
Japan 27 Italy 10 FT
Australia 31 Ireland 33 FT
Fiji 24 Wales 39 FT
South Africa 17 England 14 HT
Argentina vs Scotland 8.10pm
This opening weekend of the Nations Championship has delivered and some!
05:31pm
Half-time
That is the final act of the half and South Africa’s lead is just three points at the break. England looked down and out just a quarter of an hour into this game but have fought back to trail by just a handful of points at half-time.
05:29pmKey moments • Tries • Video
TRY! Martin bundles his way over
Somehow, England are only going to be trailing by a handful of points at the break. It all stems from a superb 50:22 from F Smith right on the stroke of half-time. England then come down the blindside and Chessum times his pass to Martin to perfection. Martin then smashes through the tackle of his former Leicester teammate Wiese and then Kolbe to score in the corner. F Smith nails his conversion.
05:27pm
39 mins: South Africa 17 England 7
South Africa are back up to 15 men as Arendse returns from 10 minutes in the bin.
05:24pmKey moments • Tries • Video
TRY! Genge powers over
England get their first score of the game. Genge took the quick tap and blasts through the tackle of T du Toit, which is not an easy thing to do. It is a brutal carry from Genge, who finds his way to the line. The conversion is added by F Smith.
05:24pm
35 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
Murley makes a break to take England into the South African 22 and England are knocking on the door. A few phases later, they win themselves a penalty as South Africa are caught offside.
England take it quickly...
05:20pm
32 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
That was nearly a huge mistake from Kolbe and he is a lucky boy. F Smith puts a grubber kick ahead into the 22 and Kolbe scampers across towards the corner. Kolbe takes the ridiculous decision to leave it, thinking the ball will bounce into touch. However, it stays infield and the rampaging Chessum gets to it. However, the lock steps into touch before dotting down so that is a big let-off for Kolbe and South Africa.
Then, South Africa are given another let-off as Genge’s high tackle on de Allende is penalised.
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Another Henry Pollock sign in the crowd. This time written in Afrikaans, which when translated says “Pollock does your mother know you are here?”
05:17pmVideo
29 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
England are awarded a scrum just inside their own half after an Arendse knock-on but he he clearly had no chance of catching it and that has to be deliberate. Eventually, the TMO steps in and they are going to award a penalty and rightly so. Arendse is sent to the bin as it would have been an overlap for England and that is the right call. Arendse has no complaints as he goes off.
05:15pmAnalysis
28 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
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Obviously England had their try disallowed but if the Springboks’ handling had been slightly sharper they could be a further three tries up. Grant Williams is dominating the early going with both boot and with ball in hand.
We are not even at the half hour mark and the dreaded Mexican waves have started, a sure sign the Ellis Park crowd think this contest is over. They are probably right.
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The South African supporters have started the ‘Mexican Wave’ and we have not yet reached the half hour mark. It is a reflection of their team’s dominance so far.
05:12pm
26 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
Williams shows off his great speed by making a superb break from just outside his 22 to cross the halfway line. He then offloads to PS du Toit, who carries hard towards the England 22 but moments later the ball is knocked on. England then clear a long way downfield, forcing Willemse to scamper back into his own 22. Willemse’s kick is then quite sensational and, from his own 22, manages to execute a superb 50:22.
South Africa then knock on from the lineout and the chance is gone.
05:04pmKey moments • Analysis • Video
NO TRY! George effort ruled out
The TMO has stepped in and disallowed the try. They have looked at the ruck just before the try and decided that George touched the ball after van Poortvliet had already touched it. With George being in front of van Poortvliet, England’s captain is adjudged to be offside.
England try disallowed
Jamie George thought he'd gotten a much-needed try, but the TMO rules it out as Van Poortvliet touches the ball and George then plays it while in front of him.
England still need their first points.. pic.twitter.com/9jsgTfkFRx
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
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What a body blow for England. All that hard work, all those phases and Jamie George’s try is ruled out. This is a real test of leadership for George and his team now.
05:02pm
TRY! George gets England on the board
How Steve Borthwick’s side needed that! England are knocking on the door and go through more than 10 phases just short of the line before finally George dots down from close range.
However, this try might not stand...
05:00pm
15 mins: South Africa 17 England 0
England have barely had any possession in this game so far but go through a number of phases just outside the South African 22. van Poortvliet’s clever offload allows F Smith to make a break. A few phases later, M Smith is brought down inches shy of the South African line and England now have a penalty as the hosts are caught offside. England have no choice but to be aggressive. No thought of going for goal. England will take the quick tap.
04:57pmTries • Video
TRY! Arendse dots down in the corner
England are being obliterated right now. South Africa have a penalty advantage in hand but do not need it. Deep inside the English 22, they shift it from right to left and Arendse manages to get over in the corner, despite M Smith’s efforts. M Smith perhaps should have bundled Arendse into touch before the line but England are in serious trouble. Kolbe cannot add the extras.
04:56pm
11 mins: South Africa 12 England 0
This could not have been a worse start for England; they have already conceded two tries and now concede a penalty for holding on just outside their own 22. England look shell-shocked and need to wake up or else this will get very ugly very quickly.
England then think they have stolen the lineout but South Afric are awarded a free-kick.
04:54pm
9 mins: South Africa 12 England 0
Play is halted as Nche is receiving treatment but eventually referee James Doleman gets a little frustrated and tells them to get on with it. South Africa have decided to make a change and bring Steenekamp on, much to Nche’s bemusement and frustration. He did not seem to agree with that call. Considering the altitude challenge and the horrific start they have made, Engalnd might not mind the breather.
04:49pmTries • Video
TRY! Kolbe extends South Africa’s lead
The Springboks are all over England and already have two tries inside the opening six minutes. It stems from a bruising carry from Nche, who powered through two tackles and breaks into the England 22. South Africa then shift it out wide to the right wing, where Kolbe makes Murley look a bit silly as he steps inside him to score. Kolbe then converts his own try and England are already in disarray. It may have been a strong carry from Nche but there is no way at this level that two England tacklers should have been broken through.
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Wow. Shock and awe here at Ellis Park as the Springboks have hit England with two tries in five minutes. Steve Borthwick’s side could not have imagined a worse start. A soft penalty concession by Tommy Freeman gave the Springboks the entry for T du Toit’s try. Then Ox Nche bursts through the tackles of Jamie George and Ollie Chessum for a stunning break in the build-up to Kolbe’s try. England needed to stamp their authority from the kick-off, but they look in disarray.
04:46pmKey moments • Tries • Video
TRY! T du Toit gives South Africa the perfect start
A man who knows English rugby well puts South Africa in front inside the opening three minutes against England. South Africa have a penalty advantage in hand but do not need it as T du Toit powers over from close range. He scored plenty of tries during his time at Bath and is on the scoresheet here. Kolbe, on his 50th cap, is on kicking duties but his first kick of his game slide wide of the right post.
04:45pm
2 mins: South Africa 0 England 0
The first penalty of the game goes the way of the hosts as Freeman is caught holding on. South Africa take the aggressive option as Libbok kicks towards the corner. Marx’s throw over the top finds Kolbe, who is tackled in the air by Earl and South Africa have a penalty advantage...
04:43pm
Kick-off
We are under way at Ellis Park. This is one hell of a challenge for England, arguably the most daunting in world rugby right now.
04:39pm
Reminder of the teams
South Africa starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
England starting XV: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (captain), 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Henry Slade.
04:37pm
Anthem time
England emerge into the cauldron that is Ellis Park and are then followed by the hosts South Africa. The home side’s entry comes after Sibusiso Kotelo dons his traditional Zulu regalia and whips the Johannesburg crowd into a pre-match frenzy. The hosts were led out by Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse on their 50th caps before Pieter-Steph du Toit leads out the rest of their side as he captains in the absence of Siya Kolisi, who pulled out late on.
Now it is time for the national anthems. God Save The King followed by Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
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One of the Zulu warriors who introduce the Springboks has been giving it large to the England team who look distinctly unimpressed by his antics.
04:32pm
British theme
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Am I having a fever dream? The Ellis Park prematch entertainment is running a tribute to British culture which has so far featured a breakdancing James Bond flanked by beefeaters, a non-ginger Ed Sheeran, the Beatles, an obese Elton John and the Spice Girls. Extraordinary stuff.
04:30pm
Gearing up
Final touches#Springboks#ForeverGreenForeverGoldpic.twitter.com/UVn1G2T6wz
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 4, 2026
04:23pmKey moments
Rather predictable
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Boos ring out across Ellis Park when the public announcer reads Henry Pollock’s name.
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Henry Pollock’s name is sure to rile up some South Africans - David Rogers/Getty Images
04:18pm
Your predictions
England fans, do you have much faith today facing the back-to-back world champions in their backyard at the historic Ellis Park at altitude? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
04:15pmAnalysis
Etzebeth ruled out
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There are serious concerns around Eben Etzebeth’s long-term durability among South African journalists. Etzebeth was stood down for today’s match with concussion symptoms and has only played one match since the 2025 Autumn Internationals in which he was banned for gouging Wales’ Alex Mann. Etzebeth has been dealing with concussion problems for the past two years and his withdrawal was not unexpected.
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Eben Etzebeth (left) had originally been included in the South Africa starting XV but has been ruled out - Steve Haag/Getty Images
04:09pm
The reason why South Africans hate Pollock
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Henry Pollock is on the bench for England today - Johan Rynners/Getty Images
04:01pmAnalysis
Even getting grief from the stadium announcer!
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Lovely little welcome from the stadium announcer to the few visiting England supporters inside Ellis Park. “It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be over quickly, and you are probably not going to enjoy most of it.”
03:57pm
This is what England must do to upset the Springboks
Scrum
An obvious one, but England need parity at the scrum at the bare minimum. Borthwick’s side will not have much of a better opportunity to achieve it, either, given that the starting front five on Saturday will be virtually first choice. That does not automatically mean that the visitors on Saturday are assured scrum solidity, however, because opposite them is one of the all-time great scrummaging front rows: Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit.
England’s scrum has improved vastly with Ellis Genge honing his craft and Joe Heyes one of the most improved players in the world, but it could be in the final 15 minutes where they come a cropper.
Expect Genge and Heyes to go deep into the match, with the likes of Fin Baxter and Will Stuart missing through injury. It will be some battle: the two scrums are the top two in the world since 2025 at winning penalties and at succeeding on the opposition ball. England also concede the fewest scrum penalties of the tier-one nations. They will need to be immaculate again on Saturday.
03:50pm
Last five meetings
Safe to say South Africa have got the better of England in recent years:
November 2024: England 20 South Africa 29
October 2023: England 15 South Africa 16 (World Cup semi-final)
November 2022: England 13 South Africa 27
November 2021: England 27 South Africa 26
November 2019: England 12 South Africa 32 (World Cup final)
03:45pm
Hostile environment
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Just two England supporters spotted so far in the crowd at Ellis Park. Fair to say it is going to be a hostile atmosphere for Steve Borthwick’s men.
03:42pmAnalysis
Tough, tough challenge on and off the pitch
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As we got off our minibus from Sandton to Ellis Park, we were greeted by a group of South African fans who shouted “you are the only British people here” followed quickly by “you are going to get a hiding”. The first statement is not strictly true. I spotted at least four England shirts but you get their point. As for the second part, the injury to the wretchedly unlucky George Furbank has been at least counterbalanced by the Springboks losing both Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Still do not fancy England’s chances though.
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An intimidating atmosphere in Johannesburg - Johan Rynners/Getty Images
03:39pm
Itoje no longer looks indispensable for England
03:30pm
Today’s games
New Zealand 34 France 32 FT
Japan 27 Italy 10 FT
Australia 31 Ireland 33 FT
Fiji 10 Wales 10 (43’)
South Africa vs England 4.40pm
Argentina vs Scotland 8.10pm
There have already been some thrillers on the opening weekend of the Nations Championship, with some thrillers in Christchurch and Sydney earlier today. You can read the match reports via the links and follow along with Wales’ game against Fiji in Cardiff, which is into the second half.
03:24pm
Teams
South Africa starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
England starting XV: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (captain), 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Henry Slade.
03:17pmKey moments
Late team news chaos for both sides
George Furbank has been ruled out for England:
Whilst Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi have been ruled out for South Africa:
To read more, click here.
03:13pmKey moments
One of the toughest challanges in world rugby awaits England
England take on South Africa at the historic Ellis Park in Johannesburg on the opening weekend of the new Nations Championship. The last time these sides met came back in November 2024, with South Africa running out 29-20 winners at Allianz Stadium. England’s last win over South Africa came in November 2021, when they won by just the one point. England have not travelled to South Africa since the summer of 2018. England lost that series 2-1, with their one win of the series coming in the third Test in Cape Town. They have only won twice in South Africa this century, with their last victory at Ellis Park coming all the way back in 1972 when they won 18-9.
England will be hoping to put a dismal Six Nations tournament behind them; they won just one of their five games as they finished second bottom to increase the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick. This is the first of three Nations Championship games England will play this month, with matches against Fiji and Argentina to follow. Borthwick has made the decision to rest captain Maro Itoje this summer so his Saracens teammate Jamie George will lead the side.
“Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great Tests in world rugby and an opportunity we are excited to embrace,” said Borthwick. “We have prepared well since we arrived here last week and I sense a real excitement within the squad to get our Nations Championship campaign under way.”
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A man under big pressure? - David Rogers/Getty Images
South Africa thrashed the Barbarians 80-31 in Gqeberha a couple of weeks ago. The Springboks will also face Scotland and Wales this month.
“England will come to Johannesburg as determined as ever, so it is going to be a hard grind of a match, which will require us to be accurate in every facet of the game, and convert the opportunities we create into points, but they will have the same mindset, so we need to hit the ground running if we want to do well,” South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said. “England are a quality outfit, and we are expecting them to give everything they have in this match, so it was important to select a squad with experience combined with a few younger players, who have proved that they have what it takes to perform at this level.
“The players have worked very hard at training, and they know what it takes to perform against a side of this calibre with a good coaching team, so we hope they can transfer that effort onto the field on Saturday [today]. Similarly to us, they [England] will also want to have a good start to this exciting new competition, so we are expecting it to be a bruising encounter.”
Kick-off from Ellis Park is at 4.40pm.
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