England begin the inaugural Nations Championship with a daunting clash against South Africa at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday July 4, 2026. Kick-off is at 4:40pm BST (5:40pm local time). The match will be televised live on ITV4, with coverage starting at 4:20pm, and available to stream via ITVX.
Team News and Lineups
England rest influential lock Maro Itoje, with former captain Jamie George stepping back as skipper. George Furbank makes his first Test start since November 2024 at full-back, replacing Freddie Steward. Fin Smith continues at fly-half, with Jack van Poortvliet preferred at scrum-half. The front row features Ellis Genge, Jamie George, and Joe Heyes, while George Martin partners Alex Coles in the second row. Tom Curry and Ben Earl join Ollie Chessum in the back row. The bench includes Henry Pollock and Guy Pepper, but lacks experienced prop depth.
South Africa are without Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle surgery), with Manie Libbok starting at fly-half. Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe earn their 50th caps. Siya Kolisi captains a formidable back row alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese. Eben Etzebeth returns from suspension, partnering Ruan Nortje at lock. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit form the front row.
Head-to-Head and Prediction
South Africa have won the last three meetings, including a 29-20 victory at Twickenham in 2024. England's last win was in autumn 2021, and they have not won in South Africa since 2018. The Springboks are heavy favourites at odds of 1/8, with England at 11/2. A South Africa win by 18 points is predicted, given their dominance at altitude and recent 80-31 demolition of the Barbarians.
