South Africa v England, 3rd Test
2018 Incoming Test Series
Saturday, 23 June 2018
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off at 17h05 CAT
South Africa will chase a 3-0 sweep over England in the third and final Test of their series against England, with the teams set to meet at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 23 June 2018, kick-off at 17h05 CAT.
The Springboks have claimed successive come-from-behind triumphs in the first two Tests in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, winning 42-39 and 23-12 respectively. The two victories ensure that South Africa have retained their unbeaten record against England in
Test series and have handed new coach Rassie Erasmus a positive base on which to build for the future.
With the series wrapped up and wet weather expected in the ‘Mother City’ Erasmus have revealed that the Boks will likely change their line-up significantly to suit the conditions. One of the players who is set to feature strongly is Schalk Brits.
The 37-year-old hooker had supposedly retired from professional rugby after his final game for Saracens mere weeks ago, but was given a surprise call-up to the South African team following an injury to Bismarck du Plessis.
The the 2019 World Cup looming, Erasmus is hoping Brits puts in a strong showing against England and can be convinced to stretch his career for one more year and bring his invaluable experience to the Boks’ set-up.
As for the English, coach Eddie Jones and captain Owen Farrel have called on their side to learn from the lessons of the first two Tests and stand up to the pressure put on them by the hosts. The tourists are on a six-game losing streak (if one includes the loss to the Barbarians in an unofficial Test in late May) but they have expressed a determination to turn their fortunes around in Cape Town.
The Test also has significance from a historical point of view, as it may well be the last at Newlands. Media reports this week have suggested that the Western Province Rugby Union and the City of Cape Town are close to an agreement which will see rugby move to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. An official announcement is expected before the match.
South Africa and England’s rugby rivalry stretches back to 1906 and the teams have met in 40 Tests since then. The Springboks have claimed 25 wins (compared to 13 for the English) and have lost just one of the last 15 meetings of the teams.
Head-to-head stats, SA v England
Matches 40
SA wins 25
England wins 13
Draws 2
SA points 866
England points 680
Teams
South Africa
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux
England
15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Mike Brown, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler
Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Jonny Hill, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Sam Simmonds, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Denny Solomona
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