A rivalry spanning nearly 120 years sparks to life once more this Saturday as the Springboks clash with England for the 48th time in Test history. While their very first encounter back in December 1906 ended in a gritty 3-3 draw in London, this weekend’s blockbuster shifts to the ultimate fortress of South African rugby: Ellis Park Stadium.
Saturday’s showdown will mark the 56th time the legendary Johannesburg venue has hosted the national team—extending its record as the most-frequented hunting ground in Springbok history.
The Ellis Park Factor: England’s Fifth Visit
This weekend will be England’s fifth modern-era Test match at Ellis Park. While the visitors famously silenced Johannesburg with an 18-9 victory back in 1972, the Springboks have ruthlessly dominated the venue ever since, winning the last three consecutive meetings.
Head-to-Head at Ellis Park
| Date | Result | Score |
| 3 June 1972 | Springboks Lost | 9–18 |
| 9 June 1984 | Springboks Won | 35–9 |
| 16 June 2012 | Springboks Won | 36–27 |
| 9 June 2018 | Springboks Won | 42–39 |
Overall Springbok Record at the Fortress
- Played: 55
- Won: 38 | Lost: 15 | Drawn: 2
- Win Percentage: 69.1%
By The Numbers: 47 Tests of Brutality
Over more than a century of fierce geopolitical and physical rugby warfare, the Springboks hold a commanding historical upper hand over the red-and-white English contingent.
- Total Tests Played: 47
- Springbok Wins: 29
- England Wins: 16
- Draws: 2
- Total Points Scored: Springboks 1,017 | England 804 (Average Score: 22–17)
- Record in Mzansi: Springboks lead 11–4 (1 draw)
- Record in England: Springboks lead 13–11 (1 draw)
- Neutral Ground: Springboks lead 5–1 (including the iconic 32-12 World Cup Final victory in Yokohama in 2019)
Named Lineup: Springboks Team to Face England
Rassie Erasmus has rolled out a heavily decorated, World Cup-winning core to anchor the physical battle at Ellis Park.
- Starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
- Bomb Squad: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zach Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
England lineup is TBA.
