Leicester pair Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward will start for England as part of four changes to head coach Steve Borthwick’s lineup against South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday (5.40pm)
Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and full-back Freddie Steward start for England against South Africa as head coach Steve Borthwick makes four changes to his starting XV.
The Leicester pair have yet to feature in the Autumn Nations Series but come straight into the line-up in place of Ben Spencer and George Furbank.
Ollie Sleightholme makes his first England start on the wing in place of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Bath’s Sam Underhill replaces Tom Curry, who is out through concussion.
Your England squad to face South Africa 👊@O2 | #WearTheRose
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 14, 2024
England vs South Africa: Borthwick ‘excited’
Scrum-half Van Poortvliet and full-back Steward will make their first appearances of the series at the Allianz Stadium in place of Ben Spencer and George Furbank.
Northampton wing Ollie Sleightholme, who scored twice in the 42-37 defeat to Australia on Saturday, will make his first start in the absence of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Bath flanker Sam Underhill replaces Tom Curry, who is missing through concussion.
England are seeking their first home win since the Six Nations in April and revenge for their 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat against the Springboks.
They had been 15-6 ahead with ten minutes remaining at the Stade de France and within sight of a significant upset before South Africa ultimately triumphed with a 77th-minute Handre Pollard penalty.
Working hard for the next challenge 🌹#ENGvRSA | @allianz_stad | @allianzuknews pic.twitter.com/DUZoYkdkPM
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 11, 2024
“We’re excited to challenge ourselves against the world’s top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions,” said Borthwick.
“Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I’m sure Saturday will be no exception.”
England vs South Africa starting lineups
Jamie George is Borthwick’s captain, with Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, and George Ford his vice-captains.
Sale wing Tom Roebuck, who made his debut against Japan in the Summer Series, is on the bench for the first time this autumn.
Just over 48 hours to go until kick-off in London, and the boys have been hard at work ✅#Springboks#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/kzMatDOcLy
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 14, 2024
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has made 12 changes to his starting line-up from his side’s 32-15 win over Scotland on Sunday.
Skipper Siya Kolisi and ex-world player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit are among the names to come in, with Pollard a replacement.
“England pose a completely different challenge to Scotland,” observed Erasmus. “We selected our squad based on what we would like to do in the match and also what we think will be best to counter [their] challenge.”
England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (c), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Roebuck
South Africa: Fassi; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Loux, Etzebeth, Snyman, Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Wiese
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am
