ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

England vs South Africa: The stats are against the hosts but the players remain hopeful

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Saturday Nov 16, 2024

At 5.40 pm local time today, England will welcome the mighty Springboks to the Allianz Stadium in what is expected to be a bruising encounter between the two sides.

ADVERTISEMENT

The visitors arrive in Twickenham as overwhelming favourites after comprehensively sweeping aside Scotland last week. Meanwhile, England were unceremoniously shafted at the death by old rivals Australia. Not only do the recent results count against the hosts, but the meetings between the two sides don’t make for pretty reading either.

South Africa have defeated England in three of the last four matches, including two World Cup exclusions: one in the final of the 2019 competition and, freshly in the England fans’ minds, the 2023 semi-final in Paris.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RugbyPass (@rugbypass)

Of the 46 matches between the two sides in their 118-year history, England have won just 16 games compared to South Africa’s 28, with just two draws.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has found himself under huge pressure from the English public after losing their last four games, three against the All Blacks and one against Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Giving his thoughts about the pressure that Borthwick is currently under, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus recently had the following to say:

“When you lose two games, even if it’s by a point or last-minute try, the pressure does start to build,

“I’ve been there and certainly know how quickly that can get to you. Now Steve is a bit under pressure.

“It depends on your CEO – they can make you feel like you have got a gun against your head.”

Speaking exclusively to RugbyDump, Leicester and England winger Anthony Watson remains positive about the England structure, however, noting: “Steve is a very thorough coach, and nothing he does is for no reason.”

He remains faithful that under Steve Borthwick, the national side can bring winning ways back to Twickenham.

“I think just from an emotional perspective they will be so fired up for this one given South Africa beat us in the 2019 World Cup final and again in the 2023 semi-finals. For the guys who went on the Lions tour, they beat us on that too. There’s a lot of pain that South Africa have inflicted, so it’s an easy one to get up for.

“When you add the two losses on the bounce, I think they will be fired up and it’ll be a good hard physical game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if England win.”

Line-ups

England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Roebuck.

South Africa: Fassi; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Loux, Etzebeth, Snyman, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese.

Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland back with a broken exhaust style bang

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    World Rugby announces first ever Southern Hemisphere chairman



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 1 DAY AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

View All

Amateur

  • 100 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 101 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 124 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 124 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 124 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

View All