England v South Africa team news LIVE: Freddie Steward starts as hosts make four changes for Twickenham clash
Steve Borthwick’s side host the world champions in a crucial Autumn Nations Series fixture this weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.England have made significant changes to their line-up as they attempt to salvage their Autumn Nations Series campaign against South Africa.
The Springboks arrive at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to face a home side that has lost their last four games, with Steve Borthwick giving recalls to Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet as a result. Borthwick includes the Leicester pair at the expense of George Furbank and Ben Spencer, while Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are ruled out after suffering head injuries.
The visitors, meanwhile, have revealed their team this morning with Rassie Erasmus bringing back some of the key figures rested or used from the bench in the win over Scotland. Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Siya Kolisi are among those brought back in as the double World Cup winners again display their enviable depth. But the ever innovative Erasmus has sprung a slight surprise at fly half, where Manie Libbok is preferred to Handre Pollard.
Follow all of the latest from both camps in our live blog below:
Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor return to All Blacks side
New Zealand‘s Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor have returned to the side to face France in Paris on Saturday, having recovered after concussion forced them off against England two weeks ago.
The pair have successfully completed head injury assessment protocols and were included in the team named on Thursday, but a knock suffered by former captain Sam Cane means he is out of the team after the All Blacks edged Ireland last Friday.
In all there are five changes to the starting lineup from the test in Dublin which they won 23-13.
Barrett takes over from Damian McKenzie at flyhalf while Taylor replaces Asafgo Aumua at hooker.
Taylor was withdrawn in the opening six minutes at Twickenham on Nov. 2 for a head injury assessment, while Barrett was taken off 16 minutes from time after also suffering a knock to the head.
France hand full back Romain Buros debut against All Blacks
France full back Romain Buros is set to make his debut against New Zealand after being named on Thursday in the team for Saturday’s autumn series test, with coach Fabien Galthie making four changes from the side which easily defeated Japan.
France brushed aside Japan with eight tries in their 52-12 victory at the Stade de France, but they are well aware that the All Blacks, whom they beat in the World Cup opening match last year, will be out for revenge.
“Everything will cause us problems. They got off the plane and beat England at Twickenham, they beat Ireland by 10 points, I think they are out to settle a score after a few difficult years,” Galthie said.
“They’re out to become the best team in the world again. The schedule is favouring them but still they can play against any type of rugby.
“It’s been a while (since) we have played an All Blacks team playing at that level. It’s a huge, but fantastic challenge.”
Scotland duo make debuts as only Tom Jordan retained for Portugal clash
Glasgow lock Alex Samuel and Edinburgh back-rower Ben Muncaster will both make their Scotland debuts after being included in a much-changed starting XV for Saturday’s penultimate Autumn Test against Portugal at Murrayfield.
Versatile Glasgow back Tom Jordan is the only player to retain his place from the team that started the 32-15 defeat against South Africa, with Gregor Townsend resting most of his established players ahead of the Australia match the following weekend.
Darcy Graham is the only one of Townsend’s regular starters selected this weekend after the talismanic wing sat out the Boks game due to a head injury.
Scotland duo make debuts as only Tom Jordan retained for Portugal clash
Alex Samuel and Ben Muncaster are among 14 changes, with Stafford McDowell as captain and the untested Freddy Douglas among the replacements.
Felipe Contepomi knows Argentina face tough task in Dublin
Head coach Felipe Contepomi says Argentina have only a “slim” chance of toppling Ireland as he bids to mastermind another impressive scalp on his return to Dublin.
Former Leinster fly-half Contepomi has guided Los Pumas to a series of statement results in 2024, winning away to New Zealand, in addition to beating France, Australia and world champions South Africa.
Andy Farrell’s hosts go into their second autumn fixture on the back of a deflating 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks.
Yet Contepomi, who guided his side to a record 50-18 win away to Italy last weekend, insists producing an upset at the Aviva Stadium will be a tall order.
Asked if he sensed an opportunity based on Ireland’s previous outing, the 47-year-old said: “No, no, not at all.
“We know it’s a slim opportunity but it’s there. Every game starts from zero.
“What happened in the last game is nothing to do with what’s going to happen on Friday.
“Ireland are not a bad team from one game to another and we are not a great team because we played one great game.
“We are only building our team, we have done some good things, we have a lot of things to improve and Ireland probably have things that they would like to get right on Friday.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge and we know what we are coming up against.”
Caelan Doris urges Ireland to relish ‘pressure’ against Argentina
Captain Caelan Doris wants Ireland to bring an extra edge against Argentina following the frustration of their disheartening defeat to New Zealand.
The number eight admits Andy Farrell’s starting XV have “pressure to perform” after 14 of the players who began the 23-13 loss to the All Blacks were retained.
Robbie Henshaw has replaced Bundee Aki at inside centre, while uncapped Leinster pair Thomas Clarkson and Sam Prendergast have been included on a rejigged bench showing four changes.
“We’re getting a second chance and there’s competition,” said Doris ahead of Friday’s match.
Caelan Doris urges Ireland to relish ‘pressure’ against Argentina
The number eight admits the starting XV have “pressure to perform” after 14 of the players who began the 23-13 loss to the All Blacks were retained.
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test on TV and online
And here is the full schedule across the rest of November:
Autumn Nations Series schedule: How to watch every rugby Test
Everything you need to know about the busy programme of men’s international rugby
How to watch England vs South Africa
When is England vs South Africa?
England vs South Africa is due to kick off at 5.40pm GMT on Saturday 16 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage from 5.15pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership and politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
Maro Itoje starts again for England in the second row, with the lock an increasingly key leader for the side. Here he is chatting Lions, leadership and politics:
Maro Itoje on politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
Ahead of the Autumn Nations Series, Harry Latham-Coyle sits down with the Saracens and England lock to talk about his hopes of a third British and Irish Lions tour, his love of political podcasts and why the best is yet to come for club and country
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 on Saturday.
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.
England took South Africa to the wire with a safety-first kicking game in last year’s World Cup semi-final and Erasmus suspects Borthwick will fall back on tactics that have been effective in the past.
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 recalled to England side
Jack van Poortvliet is back in an England side for the first time since fracturing his ankle during last year’s World Cup warm-up fixtures.
Jack van Poortvliet making up for lost time after World Cup injury woe
The Leicester scrum half is hoping to earn a place in England’s squad this summer after missing last year’s tournament
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