The Springboks will host England at Ellis Park on 4 July in a Nations Championship match. Coach Rassie Erasmus has reminded his players of their 2025 loss to Australia at the same venue.
The Springboks face England in a Nations Championship clash at Ellis Park on 4 July with kick-off at 5.40pm. Eleven months earlier the Boks lost 38-22 to Australia after leading 22-0 at the same ground.
South Africa’s starting XV has 935 Test caps combined. Rassie Erasmus said the England squad has an average age of about 27 and around 32 Test caps. He added that the Boks have not played a Test in the last seven months.
England coach Steve Borthwick named Henry Pollock, Guy Pepper, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith among the replacements. He said of Pollock: “I see the challenge... Henry Pollock always seems to shine; he always seems to thrive.”
The Springboks named Cobus Reinach on the bench after his return from a knee injury. Cameron Hanekom is set to earn his second Test cap from the reserves.