England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Latest updates as Springboks look to pile pressure on struggling hosts
Steve Borthwick’s side take on the world champions after four defeats on the spin
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Your support makes all the difference.England face a tall task if they are end their recent woe as Steve Borthwick’s side welcome world champions South Africa to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Four successive defeats by fine margins have piled the pressure on England, with Borthwick left furious by a loose performance against Australia last weekend. The squad have closed ranks this week as they attempt to channel the pain of that run and last year’s World Cup semi-final, when they let a game they had in their grasp slip away as the Springboks roared back to victory.
Rassie Erasmus’s visitors have seemingly only improved since then, evolving significantly during a successful Rugby Championship campaign. Several key players were rested against Scotland last weekend and South Africa still emerged on top - Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among those restored to the starting side for what should be a physical, fierce affair.
Follow all of the latest from the Allianz Stadium in our live blog below:
Cheslin Kolbe: ‘To win World Player of the Year would be special, but that’s not anywhere close to my mind’
Back in the Springboks side today is the mighty mouse Cheslin Kolbe, maybe the best wing in the world and South Africa’s unique utility man:
Cheslin Kolbe: ‘To win World Player of the Year would be special’
Exclusive interview: Described by head coach Rassie Erasmus as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ talent, the wing has become the Springboks’ ultimate utility man
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
Rugby is a game of grey areas. From foul play to scrum-time skirmish, one’s opinion on a particular incident can vary greatly depending on the lens through which it is viewed. Even top officials disagree with regularity on moments of contention, while plenty a perplexed look from a player has betrayed an alternate view at a coaching or refereeing call.
It is partly through their ability to thrive within these indeterminate spaces that has helped the Springboks become double World Cup winners. While their unique approach to the sport has so often driven debate, South Africa have generally managed to innovate or dominate in ways that no other side seems capable. From loading up with seven forwards on the bench to maximise their second-half scrum impact, to employing traffic lights in the coaches’ box to improve on-field decision-making, it is a side that searches for every possible edge.
But now even the Springboks are stepping out of the grey. “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” director of rugby Rassie Erasmus explains, having instigated a significant evolution of his team this year from a side that wins with brilliant basics to one capable of winning in all ways.
Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks’ evolution
Double world champions South Africa have transformed into a more attacking side this year as they bid to maintain their place at the top of the rugby world
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say South Africa are bullies who don’t care what others think – but we do’
The Springboks have been on a charm offensive this autumn, offering new insight into their methods and mindset. Here, Rassie Erasmus explains why his side want to be loved:
Rassie Erasmus: ‘People say we are bullies who don’t care what others think – we do’
As they embark on their northern tour, the Springboks are on a charm offensive. Their charismatic director of rugby tells Harry Latham-Coyle why South Africa are trying to change and the secrets to his side’s success
Siya Kolisi: Clashes between South Africa and England ‘always personal'
Siya Kolisi admits “it’s always personal” as South Africa prepare to face an England side intent on revenge at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks are aiming to inflict a fifth successive defeat on England in a rematch of last year’s stormy World Cup semi-final, which they won through a late Handre Pollard penalty.
The bad blood from a mighty physical confrontation in Paris lingers, exacerbated by the race row that erupted when England’s Tom Curry claimed he had been called a “white ****” by Bongi Mbonambi, an allegation denied by the South Africa hooker.
Kolisi insists the Springboks’ motivation is the same every time they step on to the pitch, knowing that winning successive World Cups has made them the game’s most sought-after scalp.
“It’s always personal. That’s just how we prepare ourselves for games,” South Africa’s captain said.
“It’s got to be personal. It’s another man trying to run through you in-game, it doesn’t get more personal than that. So every game for us is personal.
“This one, in Twickenham, is a big game and we know what England have been going through. We’ve been in their position before.
“We know we’ve got a target on our back at all times. Every single team that plays against us...we’ve got to make it as personal as possible because we want to stay where we are.”
Freddie Steward reveals key to earning England recall for South Africa clash
Freddie Steward insists his game has evolved during his England exile but will remain true to his core strengths when South Africa visit Allianz Stadium.
Steward has been restored at full-back to reinforce England’s aerial game following the introduction of a new law directive intended to create more contestable kicks.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday described his ability in the air as “devastating”, while Steve Borthwick views it as his “super strength”.
The 6-foot-5 Leicester Tiger started 2024 as first choice in the position but lost his place to George Furbank midway through the Six Nations and has appeared in only three of this year’s 10 Tests.
Freddie Steward reveals key to earning England recall for South Africa clash
Steward has been restored at full-back to reinforce England’s aerial game.
England coach Richard Wigglesworth makes stunning admission about exiled colleague Felix Jones
Senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth has admitted that he has had no contact with exiled colleague Felix Jones as England prepare to take on the Irishman’s former employers, South Africa.
Former defence coach Jones is serving a 12-month notice period after handing in his resignation in August. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and head coach Steve Borthwick explained after his departure that he would continue to provide “specific projects regarding analysis” remotely from Ireland during that time.
The former Munster full-back was part of the double World Cup-winning Springboks staff between 2019 and 2023, when he joined the England set-up.
But it would seem that while he remains under their employ and on their payroll, Jones has had limited contact with both coaches and the squad, with centre Henry Slade admitting that the players do not speak with the ex-defence coach.
And Wigglesworth, who was promoted to be Borthwick’s number two after Jones’s exit, could provide little insight on what his colleague is up to.
England coach Wigglesworth makes stunning admission about exiled colleague Jones
Former defence coach Jones is working remotely while serving a 12-month notice period after handing in his resignation
Top rugby stars ‘sign up for IPL and Formula 1 inspired breakaway competition’
News broke yesterday of a potential breakaway rugby competition that could revolutionise the sport. The Independent understands that while discussions have taken place, they are at a “very, very early” stage.
Here’s the full story:
Top rugby stars ‘sign up for IPL and Formula 1 inspired breakaway competition’
The mooted venture could radically reshape the club game
England boss Steve Borthwick voices ‘Aussie rules’ fear over new law directive
England head coach Steve Borthwick fears that rugby is in danger of resembling Australian rules football because of the rushed introduction of a law directive designed to create fairer aerial duels.
Borthwick has made four changes for Saturday’s match against South Africa with full-back Freddie Steward, wing Ollie Sleightholme, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and flanker Sam Underhill given starts.
The recall of high ball master Steward, successfully predicted by Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus hours before Borthwick named his team, is a nod to the impact on the game caused by World Rugby’s autumn crackdown on ‘escort runners’, who block the path of kick-chasers.
Instead of creating a more open and contestable game as expected, England believe the directive is an example of the law of unintended consequences. Borthwick insists it should have been introduced with greater care.
England boss Steve Borthwick voices ‘Aussie rules’ fear over new law directive
Borthwick’s men face South Africa this weekend looking to bounce back from defeats against New Zealand and Australia.
Rassie Erasmus knows England coach Steve Borthwick ‘is a bit under pressure’
Rassie Erasmus insists Steve Borthwick is a coach under pressure as South Africa look to inflict further misery on England at Allianz Stadium.
England are playing to avoid a fifth successive defeat when they host the all-conquering back-to-back world champions with Borthwick’s win rate for his 26 games in charge now 50 per cent.
The Rugby Football Union insists Borthwick has its “100 per cent full support” despite the last-gasp losses to New Zealand and Australia that have soured the autumn.
Rassie Erasmus knows England coach Steve Borthwick ‘is a bit under pressure’
England are playing to avoid a fifth successive defeat when they host the all-conquering back-to-back world champions.
Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet start against Springboks
Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet have been recalled to the starting England side to take on South Africa as Steve Borthwick makes four changes.
Steward takes the place of George Furbank at full-back, hinting at a shift in strategy, while Van Poortvliet is preferred to Ben Spencer at scrum half and in line to make his first international appearance since breaking his ankle last August.
Sam Underhill and Ollie Sleightholme, who makes a first international start, are brought in to replace Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who both miss out with concussion.
England vs South Africa team news: Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet start
Steve Borthwick makes four changes to his starting side
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