England vs. South Africa: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Rugby Preview
Both England and South Africa tasted defeat in their opening matches of the autumn international series, and a meeting at Twickenham this Saturday gives each team the chance to get matters back on track.
Despite those losses, each side had a host of positives to take out of last weekend's fixtures. South Africa fell victim to a stellar second-half display from Ireland while the might of New Zealand ultimately led to a three-point win for the All Blacks in London.
Given the steady progress made by the Springboks in recent years, to suffer back-to-back defeats in the northern hemisphere wouldn't reflect kindly on Heyneke Meyer's men at this juncture.
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Read on for full viewing details of Saturday's fixture, along with key picks of who to watch in the Twickenham showdown.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK, subscription required), SuperSport stream (SA)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), SuperSport 1 (SA)
Key Players to Watch
England: Mike Brown
England's back line has been a menagerie of indecision in recent times, but amidst that uncertainty, Mike Brown has stood as perhaps the only figure with his place seemingly nailed on for next year's Rugby World Cup.
The full-back sits as a standout figure in his position, and try as the Saracens' utility might, Alex Goode doesn't look likely to pip his Harlequins counterpart through performance alone.
Brown faced a weighty burden of pressure against the All Blacks last Saturday but was largely equal to the task, putting on an impressive show in defence.
Now he will be put under the microscope by Willie le Roux, the Springboks' No. 15 who peppered Rob Kearney with testing probe after testing probe in Dublin.
Le Roux's left boot is a marvel to behold at times, and though both he and Brown were limited in the running game in their most recent outings, each will be hoping to have more carrying impact this Saturday.
Brown will also hope that increased familiarity with Kyle Eastmond in the centre will lead to further fluidity as far as his own contributions go, although securing his own lines will be a priority with Le Roux lurking.
South Africa: Pat Lambie
Pat Lambie will be one half of a new half-back partnership in the South African camp this weekend, coming in for Handre Pollard while Cobus Reinach replaces Francois Hougaard at scrum-half.
The No. 10 jersey is one Meyer is attempting to cement as quickly as possible, and although Pollard promises to be the long-term answer for his country, the notion remains that the 20-year-old may be unripe at present.
Brenden Nel of SuperSport feels Lambie is deserving of the starting spot, while Ben Coles of Planet Rugby adds that the cohesion alongside Sharks teammate Reinach should lead to promising results:
Just as Pollard can, Lambie can provide a running threat from the playmaker role, similar to that of his opposite man Owen Farrell, making for what should be a physical foray between the two fly-halves.
The Springboks figure has the advantage of a supremely experienced inside centre in the shape of Jean de Villiers, however, a safety net that England don't boast and one he'll be sure to rely on in hairy moments.
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