A third Southern Hemisphere giants in a row awaits for Steve Borthwick’s wounded England side, and with an expectant Twickenham crowd already having seen last-ditch defeats to New Zealand and Australia this autumn, the stakes have never been higher as the Red Rose takes on the Protea, with world champions South Africa next up this weekend.
It’s a first meeting between the two long-standing rivals since last year’s Rugby World Cup semifinal, won 16-15 by South Africa in nail-biting fashion following a sensational comeback from 15-6 down in a frantic final 10 minutes. The Springboks had also beaten England in the 2019 World Cup final, and the hosts will hope it’s now their turn to secure a statement victory.
England, however, have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the past two weeks, missing a last-ditch drop-goal to lose 24-22 to New Zealand, before being opened up in the fourth minute of overtime by Australia last weekend, as the Wallabies burst down the left flank to win a tantalising 10-try thriller at Twickenham by a staggering 42 points to 37.
The Boks, meanwhile, have only played once so far this autumn in the first of three Tests across Great Britain. Scotland were first up at Murrayfield, and were limited to points solely off the tee by a ruthless South Africa display, with Makazole Mapimpi’s double helping the tourists to a 32-15 win, scoring four tries to Scotland’s zero.
As England look to finally secure a first win of the Autumn Nations Series, The Sporting News has your guide to all the build-up and action from Twickenham as two of rugby’s biggest nations renew rivalries once again.
How to watch England vs. South Africa: TV channel, live stream
This 2024 Autumn Nations Series match between two of the sport’s most dominant sides in either Hemisphere is being shown live and exclusively on TV via TNT Sports, with their main channel TNT Sports 1 broadcasting the action live from Twickenham, as well as build-up and analysis after full-time.
TNT Sports’ TV feed is also providing the broadcast for discovery+ in their live and catch-up streaming of the match, with new users able to sign up now in time to catch the action.
New subscribers can currently sign up for a FREE seven-day trial of discovery+.
What time is England vs. South Africa in 2024 Autumn Nations Series?
This international Rugby Union Test match between England and South Africa will take place at 5:40 p.m. local time (GMT) on Saturday, November 16, 2024, with the game taking place at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) in London, United Kingdom.
England vs. South Africa lineups, team news
Injuries and returnees aplenty have forced Steve Borthwick into four changes from the side which took on Australia last weekend, with brace-scoring Ollie Sleightholme starting in Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s place out wide, Freddie Steward returning at fullback and Jack van Poortvliet coming in at scrum-half. Tom Curry’s injury also means a return for Sam Underhill, in the only change to England’s pack.
England starting XV: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.
England replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford, Ollie Roebuck.
The Springboks make a whopping 12 changes from their 17-point victory over Scotland last time out, with only forwards Eben Eztebeth, Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi keeping their places in the XV. Nche and Mbonambi are joined in the front row by Wilco Louw at tighthead, while Siya Kolisi returns to resume the captaincy from Eben Ezebeth, who starts alongside RG Snyman – the crucial try scorer in last year’s World Cup semifinal, at lock.
South Africa starting XV: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.
South Africa replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenkamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am.