Springboks v England: Everything You Need to Know & Our Prediction

The Springboks will reignite their World Cup back-and-forth sparring with England when the two sides meet in the semi-final at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night, and both teams seem to have found relatively settled matchday squads that will battle for a chance at the final.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber showed faith in his match-winning Rugby World Cup quarter-final squad by retaining the same starting XV and replacements’ bench, with this particular selection being the most experienced in Springbok history – with a combined total of 895 caps. 15 of the 23 played against England in the 32-12 victory in the RWC final four years ago in Japan, when the Boks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time, so there is a little bit of added spice there too.

Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach will control play at halfback, with centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel returning with a back three of Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse.

Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi will pack down in the front row, with locks Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert behind them, and the loose trio of Bok skipper Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Duane Vermeulen completing the forward pack.

The replacements’ bench features forwards Deon Fourie (hooker / flanker), Ox Nche and Vincent Koch (props), RG Snyman (lock), Kwagga Smith (loose forward), and three backs in Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), and Willie le Roux (fullback). The bench made a considerable impact last week against France, so sticking with the same formula for a second-half impact makes Nienaber’s intentions clear.

As for England, they are on a victorious run and the only remaining World Cup team to have not lost a game this tournament, with five wins in a row and admittedly improving each match they play.

Owen Farrell will captain the starting XV that sees three changes to the side that defeated Fiji 30-24 in Sunday’s quarter-final in Marseille. Joe Marler returns at loosehead prop, George Martin comes into the second row, and Freddie Steward is installed at fullback in place of Marcus Smith, who took a bit of a beating against Fiji.

Jamie George and Dan Cole make up the front row, Maro Itoje is the other lock, with vice-captain Courtney Lawes on the blindside flank, Tom Curry at openside and Ben Earl at No.8.

Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell continues his partnership with Farrell, as does Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant in the midfield. Elliot Daly continues on the left wing, with Jonny May on the right.

Theo Dan, Ellis Genge (vice-captain), Kyle Sinckler, Ollie Chessum, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford (vice-captain) and Ollie Lawrence, make up a strong and experienced bench.

Quick Thoughts:

England have been flying under the radar this World Cup, which has boded well in their favour, as less media pressure and attention has allowed them to fight past a poor Argentinan performance in their opening game, win their other pool matches, and beat a spirited but scrappy Fijian side. Feelings aside, Owen Farrell is a sublime rugby player and has the distribution game, kicking ability, and motivational qualities to lead a team through a difficult victory. Whether his troops are up for the challenge the Springboks bring is the question.

On the other side of the field, the Springboks, despite being battered and bruised by the encounter with the French, can take a lot away from that game. The Boks finally delivered a clinical attacking percentage by scoring just about every time they entered the French 22-metre line, and mixed up their game with some brutal defence, attacking kicks, and utilised some good old-fashioned penalty goals. If they can replicate that intensity and speed against England, they should outplay and outclass their northern hemisphere rivals.

Teams:

Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.

England – 15 Freddie Steward; 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly; 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Alex Mitchell; 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes; 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje; 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.

Time: 21:00 | Saturday, 21 October.