South Africa have a huge target on their backs as current world champions.
It is unfortunate that the Springboks will not be tackling Ireland again in the Autumn Nations Series after such a pulsating two-Test tour in the summer that ended in a thrilling draw. Fans are crying out for a decider.
Nevertheless, having already seen off Scotland in their opening match of the autumn, Saturday’s clash with England will have Boks fans licking their lips. This rematch of the World Cup semi-final in Paris 12 months ago is laced with bad blood.
A stormy 16-15 victory for South Africa soon became the subject of a bitter race row after England’s Tom Curry claimed that Bongi Mbonambi had called him a “white —-”.
World Rugby found “insufficient evidence” to support Curry’s allegation and Mbonambi said it was a “misunderstanding” because he was speaking Afrikaans.
Curry has been ruled out of the South Africa showdown because of concussion and scrum-half Cobus Reinach insists his team can not afford to be drawn into a grudge match.
“If we get into that, it is going to take us away from the actual Test,” Reinach said. “We need to focus on what is coming on Saturday and how to put our plan on the field. If we lose sight of what we want to do we might be embarrassed or not happy with our performance.”
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been cleared to play at Twickenham despite suffering a minor eye injury against Scotland on Sunday.
Full fixtures
(All times GMT)
Sunday, November 10
Saturday, November 16
Saturday, November 23
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, 5.40pm (7.40pm in SA)
What TV channel are matches on?
All games are being shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
What is the latest South Africa news?
South Africa have made 12 changes to their starting side to face England, reverting to a five-three split on the bench as Manie Libbok takes the reins at fly-half.
Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Eben Etzebeth are the only three players to have retained their places from the team that eventually overwhelmed Scotland to win 32-15 last weekend.
The captaincy passes from Etzebeth to Siya Kolisi, who teams up with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the back row.
Grant Williams, a replacement at Murryfield, partners Libbok at half-back with Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am the three backs among the replacements.
Pollard, of course, came on for Libbok in last year’s World Cup semi-final and broke England’s hearts with a long-range penalty. Interestingly, Erasmus also opted for a five-three split for that knockout fixture in Paris.
Wilco Louw, the former Harlequins prop, starts at tighthead and will be familiar to Premiership regulars.
Mwanwhile, in the back three, Aphelele Fassi starts at full-back in between two electric wings in Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Rassie Erasmus also reinstates his first-choice midfield of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
South Africa’s last visit to Twickenham was two years ago in what turned out to be Eddie Jones’ final game as England head coach, a 27-13 loss to the Springboks proving enough to convince RFU bosses to sack the Australian.
South Africa XV: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Manie Libbok, Grant Williams; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Wilco Louw; Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am
South Africa squad
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie
What are our predictions?
England v South Africa: France may argue differently, but at the top of the rugby table two teams currently stand above the rest – Ireland and South Africa. The Boks are world class from 1 to 15 and even home advantage is unlikely to be enough for England to stop the Springbok juggernaut.
Predicted score: England 15 South Africa 21
Wales v South Africa: Warren Gatland’s men are a team in transition and you have to fear the worst, even at a raucous Principality Stadium. Wales actually faced the Springboks in the summer at Twickenham, ahead of their unsuccessful tour to Australia, and were roundly thrashed 41-13. Wales will hope that England knock enough lumps out of the Boks to make this game competitive.
Predicted score: Wales 9 South Africa 33
