Springboks expected to make statement against out-of-form England

Match News and Current Form

The Springboks return to the global stage looking to build on what was another fantastic season in 2025, where they won 13 of their 15 games (L2) including the retaining of their Rugby Championship crown and an undefeated tour of the Northern Hemisphere. They’ve already gotten into the win column in 2026, as they decided to face off with the Barbarians last weekend, running out emphatic 80-31 winners in a match where defense was seemingly optional. The Springboks will enter this inaugural edition of the Nations Championship as World Rugby’s number-one ranked team and deserved favourites to claim the crown, with one eye no doubt being on sizing up the competition ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Rassie Erasmus is usually known for introducing new faces and combinations in games like this, but the Springbok coach has decided to name an experienced and full strength lineup this time round. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit make for a powerful looking front row, supported by Ruan Nortje and South Africa’s most capped player Eben Etzebeth in the locks. Captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese share 242 caps between them as the starting loose forwards, with Grant Williams and Manie Libbok named as the half-backs. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel make for a recognisable 11, 12, 13 combination, while it’ll be a special occasion for wing Cheslin Kolbe and fullback Damian Willemse, who’ll both be earning their 50th caps.

England travel to the Southern Hemisphere in horrible form on paper, having lost their last four matches of their Six Nations campaign in what turned out to be their worst ever showing in the tournament. Their last match was a 48-46 defeat against France in the last round in what could arguably be one of the tests of the century, and they would assume one of the few places that could challenge the Stade de France in terms of hostility could be Ellis Park, but that may not be the case here amidst rumours of poor ticket sales. They’ll have to deal with losing six of their last ten away matches regardless of the location (W4), with coach Steve Borthwick wondering how he can get his side to rediscover the form that saw them win 12 games on the bounce prior to their four-game losing streak.

In terms of team selection, 110-cap veteran and hooker Jamie George leads the team, supported by prop Ellis Genge, the second-most capped player in the team with 80 tests to his name. Alex Coles and George Martin form the second row partnership, while Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, and Ben Earl make up an experienced back row themselves. Jack van Poortvliet partners Fin Smith in the halves, Tommy Freeman and Seb Atkinson make up the centres, Cadan Murley and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are the wingers, while George Furbank is set to make his first England appearance since November 2024. The controversial and public enemy number one of the South Africans in Henry Pollock has to settle for a place on the bench despite his recent Gallagher Premiership final Player of the Match performance.

Head-to-Head History

South Africa have won four of the last five H2Hs (L1), helping stretch their lead in the all-time H2H record which sees 29 wins for the Springboks, 16 wins for the English, and two draws.

Hot Stats and Streaks

All but one of South Africa’s last 18 wins were by an 8+ point margin.

The second half produced more points than the first in ten of South Africa’s last 13 matches.

England have won at least one half of the game in 17 of their last 18 matches.

England have scored 20+ points in 13 of their last 14 matches.

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

Cheslin Kolbe will be looking to mark his 50th test with a try, and should be confident of doing so after scoring a brace last time he faced England. The visitors’ Tommy Freeman will be looking to do damage after ending the Six Nations in fine form, having scored a try in each of his last two matches. He carried that into the back end of the Premiership, scoring in five of his last six club games including in a winning final against Exeter.

Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu headline the Springboks’ injury list, while the biggest name missing from England’s lineup is regular captain Maro Itoje, who is being rested.

Betting Analysis

South Africa vs England has tended to be a low scoring affair recently, meaning a bet on under 54.5 total points seems smart, especially as it is a bet that would have won in each of the last eight H2Hs.