A rematch of the last Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa will decide who qualifies for the 2023 showpiece alongside New Zealand tonight.
The Red Rose have defied dour pre-tournament predictions to reach the semi-final stage as the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, albeit with the helping hand of a kinder draw than some of their more fancied rivals.
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Like the All Blacks, South Africa emerged from the tougher side of the tournament by knocking out hosts France last weekend.
England navigated a nervy final 20 minutes to edge Fiji and end up as the Northern Hemisphere’s only remaining hope in the final four.
The Springboks broke English hearts four years ago and have made something of a habit of ending their World Cup hopes.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs South Africa takes place today, Saturday October 21, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The Stade de France in Paris will host the match.
Where to watch England vs South Africa
TV channel: In the UK, the game is available to watch live and free to air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game tonight with Standard Sport’s live blog, with Nick Purewal at the ground to provide expert analysis.
England vs South Africa team news
Freddie Steward starts for England at full-back, with his return to the side providing a big boost in the air. Marcus Smith misses out on the squad, having not fully recovered from the heavy blow he took to the face against Fiji.
Joe Marler also comes into the side, as Ellis Genge drops to the bench, while Steve Borthwick has opted to bring George Martin into the second row. Ollie Chessum is named among the replacements.
Owen Farrell unsurprisingly keeps his place at fly-half, as George Ford once again has to settle for a place on the bench alongside the likes of Billy Vunipola and Danny Care.
South Africa are set to follow the same gameplan they undertook against France by naming an unchanged starting XV.
That means Mannie Libbok has been entrusted with the kicking duties in a combination with Cobus Reinbach, and the likes of Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard will look to shake the game up off the bench.
It is a 5-3 split on the bench again for the Springboks, who have decided not to further strengthen their 'Bomb Squad'.
England vs South Africa lineups
England XV: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (c), Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe; Etzebeth, Mostert; Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Koch, Snyman, Smith, De Klerk, Pollard, Le Roux
England vs South Africa referee
Ben O'Keeffe will once again take charge of the Springboks despite France’s unhappiness with the New Zealander’s officiating of their quarter-final tie.
Andrew Brace of Ireland and New Zealand’s Paul Williams will run the lines and Kiwi Brendon Pickerill is in charge of TMO.
England vs South Africa prediction
The Springboks overcame France in the most high-pressure of environments on Sunday and, while England overcame a big test of their own, South Africa have both experience and ability in their favour.
Steve Borthwick will have to come up with one hell of a plan to win this game.
South Africa to win, by five to ten points.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Red Rose have won three of their last five games against the Springboks yet they’ve lost four of their five World Cup meetings.
England wins: 16
South Africa wins: 27
Draws: 2
England vs South Africa latest odds
England to qualify: 9/2
South Africa to qualify: 1/7
Draw: 25/1
