England head coach Steve Borthwick has officially revealed his starting XV to face the world champion Springboks at the formidable Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park) in Johannesburg this Saturday, July 4.
The blockbuster clash marks the opening fixture of the highly anticipated, inaugural Nations Championship. With a grueling schedule ahead that includes upcoming fixtures against Fiji and Argentina, Borthwick has selected a physical, tactical side anchored by veteran hooker Jamie George, who retains the captaincy. Powerhouse prop Ellis Genge and second-row Ollie Chessum will support him as vice-captains.
The Pollock Factor & Smith Starting Node
In a move that has sparked significant rugby debate, teenage sensation Henry Pollock has been named on a loaded England bench, primed to bring explosive, game-changing impact in the second half.
Tactically, Borthwick has given the nod to Fin Smith at flyhalf to direct traffic, leaving the electric Marcus Smith as a lethal cover option on the bench.
“Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great tests in world rugby and an opportunity we’re excited to embrace,” Borthwick noted from the team camp. “We’ve prepared well since we arrived here last week and I sense a real excitement within the squad.”
Complete Match Day Lineups
Springboks 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 Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
England Starting XV
15 George Furbank, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Ellis Genge.
- Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Marcus Smith.
Match Information
- Date: Saturday, 4 July 2026
- Kick-off: 17:40 SA Time (16:40 BST)
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Broadcast: Live on SuperSport & BBC Sport
- Officials: James Doleman (NZ) with Andrew Brace (IRE), Pierre Brousset (FRA), and TMO Richard Kelly (NZ).
