England Springboks South Africa

England’s full-back Freddie Steward (L) and England’s fly-half Marcus Smith celebrate after the Autumn International friendly rugby union match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on November 20, 2021. – England won the match 27-26. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

England v South Africa: ALL the post-Test reaction

The Springboks faced England on Saturday at Twickenham for the first time since their 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.

England Springboks South Africa

England’s full-back Freddie Steward (L) and England’s fly-half Marcus Smith celebrate after the Autumn International friendly rugby union match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on November 20, 2021. – England won the match 27-26. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Springboks faced England on Saturday at Twickenham for the first time since their 32-12 win over Eddie Jones’ men in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.

The South African brought you live updates and commentary on the Test. Now keep reading for all the reaction.

England v South Africa post-match reaction

Watch – Mapimpi’s memorable try

After scoring the Springboks’ solitary try against England on Saturday, Mapimpi has how recorded a remarkable 20 tries in 25 Tests.

Click here to watch video of the try

LATEST – Player ratings

A much-improved second half performance from the Springboks was ultimately not enough to clinch victory on Saturday, with England snatching the win at the death

Click here for player ratings

In the build-up to kick-off, have a read through all the latest, breaking news:

LATEST – HEAD-TO-HEAD: Key Springboks v England player match-ups

Three individual match-ups that you should look out for at Twickenham

Will these match-ups decide the Test?


11:28 – Facts and figures: Springboks v England

With hours to go until the Springboks’ final match of the year against England, here is a recap of the all the key stats and facts you need to know.

Click to see all the key facts and figures


10:10 – Siya Kolisi: Rassie the Motivator will be missed

Siya Kolisi admits it will be tough for the Springboks to head into Saturday’s Test against England without Rassie Erasmus.

Click to read what else Siya Kolisi had to say


09:12 – England v South Africa is NOT the only Test scheduled this weekend!

Rugby fans are once again in for a treat this weekend with no fewer than 11 Tests scheduled. Enjoy the action!

Click to see who is playing who – and when


08:22 – ‘Springbok will play with Jannie du Plessis in mind’ – Siya Kolisi

Captain Siya Kolisi says the Springboks will play for Jannie du Plessis and his family after learning of the tragedy they suffered this week.

Click to read what Siya said in full


1 day ago – Springboks pose for official team photo


1 day ago – Rassie Erasmus takes dig at World Rugby!

Rassie Erasmus took a subtle dig at World Rugby as he began his two-month ban from all rugby by downing his sorrows in a pint of Guinness.

Click to read what Rassie posted


1 day ago – Springbok fans urged to wear Rassie Erasmus masks at Twickenham

Springbok fans heading to Twickenham on Saturday to watch SA take on England have been encouraged to wear a ‘Rassie Erasmus’ face mask.

Click to copy your mask


1 day ago – Do you know the words to Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika?

Time to brush up on your singing of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

Click for the words to South Africa’s national anthem


1 day ago – How could you ever forget THIS!

On the eve of the Springboks v England 2019 World Cup final rematch, take a look back at the highlights of that unforgettable match.

Click to watch highlights of South Africa’s World Cup win in Japan


1 day ago – Bookmakers make a call: It will be tight!

The Springboks will finish their three-Test end-of-year tour of the United Kingdom unbeaten, if bookmakers are to be believed …

Click to see who the bookies are backing


1 day ago – Rassie Erasmus faces second ‘character assassination’ claim

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has accused Rassie Erasmus of a ‘character assassination’ against one of his players last Saturday.

Click to read what Townsend had to say


1 day ago – Take our Rugby quiz – and win!

Are you a real rugby fanatic? Take a shot and play our rugby quiz. If you ace it, you could win yourself R1 000 in cellphone data!

Click to test your rugby knowledge!


1 day ago – Eddie Jones lays down the challenge to Springboks

Eddie Jones believes any ideas South Africa have regarding a “weak” England pack will be misplaced on Saturday.

Click to read all of the thoughts from the England coach


2 days ago – Eddie Jones surprises with shock England team selection

England coach Eddie Jones has picked a number of inexperienced players for Saturday’s showdown against the Springboks.

Click to view the England team to face the Springboks


2 days ago – Rassie Erasmus responds to comical meme: Only in SA!

Rassie Erasmus has seen the funny side of a meme playfully suggesting he might make a sneak appearance at Twickenham on Saturday!

Click to view Rassie’s tweet


2 days ago – Duane Vermeulen fired up for another shot at England

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen says he is ‘excited and ready to go’ in Saturday’s World Cup final rematch against England.

Click to read more of ‘Thor’s thoughts


2 days ago – OPINION: Why Rassie ban isn’t nearly as bad as it seems

The World Rugby sanction handed down to Rassie Erasmus may seem severe, but that is in fact a misconception, writes Craig Lewis.

Click to read Craig’s full column


2 days ago – Meet the Springbok WAGS! – PICTURES

Take a look at the women behind our world champions…

Click to view the full gallery


2 days ago – All you need to know about the Rassie Erasmus verdict!

SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, was found guilty on all six charges brought against him by World Rugby. Here’s a recap of all the major takeaways.

Click to read the full article


2 days ago – Did World Rugby give the Springboks extra motivation to smash England?

Thanks to World Rugby’s ruling, the Springboks have received an extra shot in the arm to go out and smash England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Click to read the full article


2 days ago Duane Vermeulen offers support to Jannie du Plessis: ‘I can’t imagine such a loss’

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has offered words of support for his former team-mate Jannie du Plessis whose 10-month-old son tragically drowned in the family swimming pool.

Click to read the full article


2 days ago Springboks v England: Meet Saturday’s referee

Find out more about the 33-year-old Irish referee in charge of Saturday’s Test at Twickenham.

Click to read the full article


2 days ago Two Springboks released from squad, on their way back to South Africa

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed that Sbu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi have been released from the touring squad.

Click to read the full article


2 days ago Springboks v England: A quick history lesson!

The Springboks and their arch-rivals England have enjoyed a rich history when it comes to Tests over the years – dating back as far as 1906!

Click to read the full article

2 days ago Here come the world champions!

You can never take too many pictures, Siya (Photo: Twitter @Springboks)

2 days ago Five Springboks to keep an eye on against England

As the Springboks prepare to take on England, we take a look at five players who will be in the spotlight on Saturday.

Click to read the full article


3 days ago Stats and facts: Key figures ahead of the Springboks v England battle

Check out some of the facts and figures to keep in mind when the Springboks and England face off at Twickenham on Saturday.

Click to read the full article


Team news

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber named Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach in a fresh halfback pairing among a few other changes.

Pollard, Reinach and Lock Lood De Jager were drafted into the starting lineup in rotational switches, which sees Elton Jantjies and Herschel Jantjies join Franco Mostert (utility forward) among the replacements.

“We built up good momentum in the Tests against Wales and Scotland, and it is important for us to transfer that into our final match of the tour against England, so we opted to make only three changes to the starting team for this weekend’s clash,” said Nienaber.

“England will pose different threats to Scotland, and with that in mind we have decided to start with Handré, Cobus and Lood.

“Elton, Herschel and Franco have shown that they can inject energy and ignite a spark on attack off the bench, which will be handy against an English outfit that we know will be highly charged up for this match.”

England 27-26 South Africa: Relive the action

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TEAMS:

England

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Joe Marchant, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Courtney Lawes (captain), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Bevan Rodd

Substitutes: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Alex Dombrandt, 22 Raffi Quirke, 23 Max Malins

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn