South Africa vs England LIVE: Springboks win 10-try Ellis Park thriller to stretch English losing streak
Follow the latest from the first Test at Ellis Park
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Your support makes all the difference.England begin their summer tour against South Africa on Saturday in the first Test at Ellis Park, a stadium where the red rose has not emerged triumphant in 46 years.
Eddie Jones sends his side into the match looking to end their four-game losing streak, having suffered three straight losses in the Six Nations and losing to the Barbarians a fortnight ago. They are also without their captain, Dylan Hartley, due to concussion as Owen Farrell takes over the leadership duties. Mike Brown starts on the wing with Elliot Daly at full-back, while New Zealand-born flanker Brad Shields is among the replacements and could make his international debut.
South Africa meanwhile will make history as Stormers flanker Siya Kolisi becomes the first black player to captain the Springboks, and does so wearing the No 6 shirt that became so famous when Nelson Mandela wore it during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Follow the live action below...
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What time does it start?
South Africa vs England kicks off at 16:05 BST.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 15:00 BST.
Teams:
South Africa: Willie Le Roux; S’busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian De Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf De Klerk; Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; RG Snyman, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi, Jean-Luc Du Preez, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit,Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl, Elton Jantjies, Warrick Gelant.
England: Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe; Chris Robshaw, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Brad Shields, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, Piers Francis, Denny Solomona.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the first Test between South Africa and England, brought to you from the famous Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
With kick-off due at 16:05 BST, will begin out build-up coverage from 15:00 as we look towards what should be a thrilling summer series.
All eyes will be on the (eventual) introduction of Brad Shields, with the 27-year-old Hurricanes captain primed to make his international debut for England despite being born in New Zealand. The flanker is eligible for the red rose due to his English parents, and Eddie Jones has said that his introduction into the squad has been a smooth one...so far
England are looking to halt a rather dismal four-game losing streak, having suffered defeats against Scotland, France, Ireland and most recently the Barbarians. But, as Steve Borthwick said this week, the three-Test tour of South Africa is the perfect chance to bury those demons.
With 25 minutes until kick-off, here's a look at the two teams
South Africa: Willie Le Roux; S’busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian De Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf De Klerk; Tendai Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; RG Snyman, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi, Jean-Luc Du Preez, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit,Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl, Elton Jantjies, Warrick Gelant.
England: Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe; Chris Robshaw, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Brad Shields, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, Piers Francis, Denny Solomona.
England finish up their warm-up and head back into the changing room for one last time.
What can we expect from today's Test? Well there will need to be a significant improvement from the side that finished fifth in the Six Nations, but the England camp has appeared to have an extra spring in its step this week. Whether that's down to the new captaincy of Owen Farrell, or the fresh faces brought in with Henry Slade, Nick Isiekwe and Tom Curry starting, is yet to be seen.
However, there will be one clear advantage as Billy Vunipola returns to an England side for the first time in more than 14 months.
Making history
Siya Kolisi becomes the first black player to captain South Africa
And here come England! Led out by their player of the year, Mako Vunipola, the prop wins his 50th cap before being joined by his teammates. The crowd though are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Springboks.
It's a raucous reception for the Springboks as Kolisi strides out in front of his team. Time for the anthems.
What a spine-tingling rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika! Here we go!
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