England vs South Africa live stream End of Year Internationals 2010/Autumn International schedule :
Date : 27 November 2010
Time : 14:30 (GMT/UTC/UK)
Venue : Twickenham, London .
Competitions : End of Year Internationals 2010/Autumn International
Watch Live Stream Online TV Coverage
Teams Squad :
England Autumn International Squad: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody (c), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Hendre Fourie, 20 Danny Care, 21 Charlie Hodgson, 22 Matt Banahan.
South Africa Autumn International Squad : 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Frans Steyn, 12 Jean De Villiers, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (capt), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 CJ Van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Patrick Lambie, 22 Adi Jacobs.
There is a storm brewing in South Africa, one that could lead to the world champions spiraling to defeat against England in London on Saturday.
Recent records show that the Boks have beaten the English in their previous six meetings but many are discounting the history books at HQ.
Why? Well, England are the nation that now looks more likely out of this duo to challenge for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Yes, you heard me right, Martin Johnson has finally got the pieces of his jigsaw put in place and seems to be reaping the rewards. A second consecutive win against Australia made for the stand-out 80 minutes and they followed that up with a workmanlike effort against the Samoans. It wasn't pretty but was efficient.
In contrast, South Africa's recent effort at Murrayfield has added weight to a plethora of viewpoints that are clogging our comments section, and it now seems one would be hard-pressed to find a Bok fan expecting anything like the 42-6 result they recorded on their last trip to Twickers in 2008. If anything, that score-line could be reversed on Saturday...well maybe not to that extreme but you see where I am going. Questions need answering.
Here are biggest: Has this side even attempted to adapt to modern rugby? Do they have the right coaches? What's going on with these substitutions?!
All valid points from fans that were treated to a frustrating affair in Edinburgh, where the Boks chose to take off a kicking ten for a running one in Patrick Lambie when conditions were deteriorating. A strange call but one that's beginning to become the norm from the Springbok coaches. Some refereeing decisions did raise an eyebrow - Juan Smith at the breakdown for one - but in truth, South Africa just didn't deserve to beat the Scottish.
So where to now for the group that looked close to unbeatable in 2009? Twickenham is where to face an England side that PdV is concerned about.
"Martin has made England a world force again. It is a hell of a worrying factor for us, especially with the World Cup so close," pondered De Villiers.
Mind-games or not, this sort of praise would maybe have not escaped the moustache of the Bok boss a year ago. (A) because England were nowhere near putting themselves in the World Cup shop window and (B) South Africa had just sealed the Tri-Nations, winning five out of their six fixtures.
How things have changed.
Ones to watch:
For England: Despite not having scored a try in his last sixteen games for his country, Mark Cueto is bang in form in all other areas as the English go into this November-ending clash. The Sale man's powerful running game was exceptional against both Australia and Samoa so it will be interesting to see if he can continue to be an outlet for this impressive back-three. Maybe he will get the try he now definitely deserves.
For South Africa: He was man-of-the-match against Wales but then omitted from the 22 against Scotland and South Africa will be hoping for Pierre Spies to put in the same performance he did in Cardiff. The Bulls number eight has sometimes been questioned for not pitching up when games become physical and tight, which he cannot do against this England pack. A huge game from Spies is required by the Springboks.
Head-to-head: We are at lock for this one where youth meets experience as Courtney Lawes faces off with Bakkies Botha. Northampton's promising forward has been very strong in white this month, carrying well in a good combination with Tom Palmer. However, on Saturday the duo meet arguably the world's best second-row pairing in Botha and Victor Matfield which makes for something of a step up to the big-boy league.
Recent results:
2008: South Africa won 42-6 in London
2007: South Africa won 15-6 in Paris
2007: South Africa won 36-0 in Paris
2007: South Africa won 55-22 in Pretoria
2007: South Africa won 58-10 in Bloemfontein
2006: South Africa won 25-14 in London
2006: England won 23-21 in London
2004: England won 32-16 in London
2003: England won 25-6 in Perth
2002: England won 53-3 in London
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