Rugby
England make four changes for Springboks Test─── MORGAN PIEK 09:10 Fri, 15 Nov 2024
England have made four changes to their team which will face the Springboks in London on Saturday night.
The English have two injury-enforced changes with Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso both sustaining concussions during last week’s defeat to the Wallabies.
Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Underhill will replace them, while Freddie Steward will start at fullback, and Jack van Poortvliet at scrumhalf.
England are under pressure following back-to-back defeats against the All Blacks and Wallabies over the past two weekends. In addition, the last time they played against the Springboks was during the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-finals in France, with South Africa winning this match 16-15 to set up a final with the All Blacks.
Freddie Stewart. Photo: X
While the English are under pressure, staring down the battel of a fifth-straight defeat, the coach Steve Borthwick said they are ready for the challenge that awaits against the Springboks. “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.”
Saturday night’s Test between England and the World Champions at Twickenham kicks off at 19:40.
England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet; 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
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
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am
