South Africa v England - Teams and Prediction

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Johannesburg brings altitude, noise and a Springbok side that rarely allows visiting teams to settle.

England have produced brave performances against South Africa in recent years, including the 2023 World Cup semifinal, but close does not count for much against the Springboks. South Africa have repeatedly found the last punch, the final scrum, the crucial penalty and the cooler decision under pressure.

That pattern makes this opening Nations Championship Test feel like more than a fixture. The match gives England coach Steve Borthwick a direct measure of England’s progress.

Rassie Erasmus’s side are on a relentless streak, winning each of their previous nine fixtures and finishing atop the Rugby Championship table in each of the latest two tournaments.

As they prepare to host an inconsistent England side this weekend, the Springboks will be confident that they can make it four victories in a row against Borthwick’s men and finally get their payback after falling to defeat when these teams last met in South Africa.

After a thoroughly disappointing Six Nations campaign, finishing only above Wales in fifth, England will be looking to bring back the feel-good factor as they enter the inaugural Nations Championship.

Looking at the Springbok matchday 23 head coach Rassie Erasmus has selected, there is no reason why they can’t wipe the floor with England on Saturday at Ellis Park.

On any given day, this team could line up against any other side and come away victorious. That is how strong this squad is. It boasts over 1 000 Test caps, the forwards and backs are perfectly balanced, and the impact of the Bomb Squad remains as intimidating as ever.

Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe grab their 50th appearances for South Africa this weekend, with the hosts also including the likes of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende across the backline.

The Springboks’ pack is as strong as ever, too, with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit constructing a formidable front row, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi starring behind, while Jasper Wiese starts at the rear.

Expect the Springboks to revolve their game around set-piece dominance, powerful ball carries, and relentless defensive pressure. Their forwards will be looking to establish dominance around the scrum and line-outs before creating space for their backs.

Erasmus said this week that the Springboks do not necessarily fear losing but rather fear letting the country down. That mindset has become a trademark of this group and should ensure there is no complacency.

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SARU hoping to avoid empty Ellis Park https://t.co/C9TJNWwP8v pic.twitter.com/1B0mXycxEN

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) July 2, 2026

When talking about this game, Erasmus said: “The England squad is good – their average age is about 27, and test caps around 32, so it’s a young yet experienced squad.

“It’s a very competitive squad, and we know we’ll have to work really hard against them at Ellis Park if we want to get a win.”

For Erasmus, the challenge is simple. To win.

“That’s obviously the thing. We haven’t played in the last seven months, last November or the middle of November.

“The Barbarians was a nice warm-up to get some guys into the structure, to get to know some guys. The SA ‘A’ game was the same, but this is a Test match against England.

“You get big test matches and England is certainly one of them. So that will be our goal,” he simply stated earlier in the week.

Unfortunately for South African fans, they will have to wait until later in the match to see public enemy Henry Pollock enter the field, with the 21-year-old getting himself into several altercations with Springbok internationals when playing for Northampton Saints.

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For England supporters, the fixture raises several familiar questions. Can Borthwick’s team handle South Africa’s power? Can England control the aerial battle? Can Fin Smith run the game at Test speed against the world champions? Can a reshaped pack survive long enough for the backline to matter?

Those questions would be difficult anywhere. Ellis Park makes the challenge harder.

While the challenge of facing the World Champions at altitude is undoubtedly a big one, England will be alive to the threats posed by Erasmus’ side.

England and Leicester Tigers second row George Martin – highly praised for his relentless performances against South Africa in 2023 and 2024 and now back in the England squad after a lengthy injury spell – says he is relishing the confrontation that the Springboks will bring.

“You know they’re going to bring it, and that’s what I’m looking forward to most – the physical battle,” he said.

“They actually pride themselves on it, so I’m definitely looking forward to that. I’ve never been to Johannesburg, but I know there’s a bit more altitude.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge as well, but we’ll be prepared for it – the management will put us in the best position to be ready.”

Borthwick, speaking on his selection, said: “Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great Tests in world rugby and an opportunity we’re excited to embrace.

“We’ve prepared well since we arrived here last week and I sense a real excitement within the squad to get our Nations Championship campaign underway.”

Lastly, the Ellis Park factor. Ellis Park is not just another venue. The stadium has history, altitude and a crowd that understands how to turn pressure into noise.

England have enough quality to trouble South Africa. The backline carries more pace than some recent England teams, and the bench gives Borthwick several ways to change the game.

However, South Africa at Ellis Park remains the hardest Test in world rugby. The Springboks have a settled core, a powerful pack, proven big-match calm and a crowd that will expect England to crack before the final quarter.

South Africa should have enough power and experience to edge the opener.

Players to watch:

For South Africa: Manie Libbok gives the Springboks a different attacking rhythm. His kicking game, passing width and willingness to play flatter can pull England’s defence around if the Springbok pack creates quick ball. The flyhalf duel with Fin Smith will shape territory, tempo and the way each attack uses limited clean ball. Centre Jesse Kriel, the ultimate athlete and as fit as they can get, will be up against England’s own fitness freak Seb Atkinson. The battle up front will be decisive, and Thomas du Toit’s intimate knowledge of the English will come in handy.

For England: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: The dangerous Exeter Chiefs wing is back in the starting line-up for the first time since November, having been sidelined through injury during this year’s Six Nations. Feyi-Waboso’s powerful running and elusive footwork may be key to unlocking the Springbok defence. Tommy Freeman takes up position outside Atkinson in the midfield and will look to extend his impressive run of form, having finished the domestic season as joint top try-scorer. Tight-knit Northampton sealed the PREM title just under two weeks ago, and Freeman should combine well with fellow Saints Fin Smith, Henry Pollock and Alex Mitchell. The 21-year-old Pollock is also playing some of his best rugby to date and is set to feature as a replacement on Saturday, having done so for 10 of his 11 international appearances. England will likely look to him to provide his usual pace and energy in the second half.

Prediction:

@Rugby365: South Africa by 15 points

Teams:

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas Du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.

England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie,17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Marcus Smith.

Date: Saturday, July 4
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.40 (15.40 GMT; 16.40 UK time)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)