England vs South Africa preview: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, teams, where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Autumn International at Twickenham
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It’s a big game for…
Courtney Lawes: The 27-year-old comes into the England side in the absence of Maro Itoje and George Kruis, who have been the first-choice second row pairing ever since the Australian Eddie Jones took over after the World Cup last year. Lawes will be making his 50th appearance for his country and is likely to start alongside Joe Launchbury.
Weird stat…
England have not beaten South Africa for almost exactly 10 years, their last victory coming at Twickenham on 18 November 2006. However, England are heavy favourites to win this match, with Eddie Jones’ side on a fantastic run of form after winning the Grand Slam and recording a 3-0 away series victory over Australia this year.
Remember when…
Jonny Wilkinson and Percy Montgomery kicked almost every point in the match as South Africa beat England 15-6 in the 2007 World Cup Final in Paris. England were looking to win their second successive World Cup but lost out to the Springboks for the second time in the tournament after a heavy 36-0 loss in the group stage.
Player to watch…
Eben Etzebeth: The 25-year-old is an extremely powerful second row who stands at over two metres tall and weighs over 18 stone. Etzebeth has already won 53 caps for his country and will reportedly join an English Premiership side in the near future, according to South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee.
Teams...
England: Mike Brown; Marland Yarde, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes; Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Dave Attwood, Nathan Hughes, Danny Care, Ben Te'o, Jonathan Joseph.
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Ruan Combrinck, Francois Venter, Damian de Allende, JP Pietersen; Patrick Lambie, Rudy Paige; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Vincent Koch; Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager; Willem Alberts, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Lourens Adriaanse, Franco Mostert, Nizaam Carr, Faf de Klerk, Johan Goosen, Lionel Mapoe
Past three meetings…
England 28 South Africa 31, November 2014
England 15 South Africa 16, November 2012
England 14 South Africa 14, June 2012
Form guide…
ENGLAND: WWWWWW
SOUTH AFRICA: LLLWLD
Vital information…
KICK-OFF TIME: 2:30pm, Saturday 12 November
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1
Referee: Jérôme Garcès
Odds…
ENGLAND TO WIN: 2/9
SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN: 7/2
DRAW: 22/1
(Odds provided by SkyBet)
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