- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Eddie Jones has stayed with the same starting XV which was so dominant last week in naming England’s side for the Rugby World Cup final.
There’s only one change for the Red Roses in the entire matchday 23, with Ben Spencer replacing the injured Willi Heinz. Heinz suffered a hamstring strain in last Saturday’s win over the All Blacks, with Saracens scrumhalf Spencer, who has only played three Tests in his career, taking his place as Ben Youngs’ backup.
While there was some speculation that Jones might repeat the selection ploy he used against the Wallabies and move George Ford to the bench to cope with the Springboks’ physicality early on, the Leicester flyhalf has kept his place in the starting XV with captain Owen Farrell at 12 and Manu Tuilagi at 13.
“South Africa are a difficult opponent and we are going to have to fight really hard to win,” Jones said.
“We know the physical part of the game is going to be important and the players will go into this game well prepared knowing how we want to play. We will go and play with no fear.
“South Africa will probably play a similar type of game they have played all tournament so we need be good in the arm wrestle and when we have the opportunities to break the game up, we are then confident and composed enough to take them.”
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Kyle Sinckler
4 Maro Itoje
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Curry
7 Sam Underhill
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ben Youngs
10 George Ford
11 Jonny May
12 Owen Farrell (c)
13 Manu Tuilagi
14 Anthony Watson
15 Elliot Daly
Bench
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Joe Marler
18 Dan Cole
19 George Kruis
20 Mark Wilson
21 Ben Spencer
22 Henry Slade
23 Jonathan Joseph
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.