RWC Final: England v South Africa, start time, team news, how to watch
Six weeks after Japan opened the Rugby World Cup with a belting of Russia, we’ve arrived at the final – where England will start favourites against South Africa. ULTIMATE GUIDE INSIDE.
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After six long weeks, we’re finally at the pointy end of the Rugby World Cup – with England and South Africa set to take their place in the final with one to be crowned the best team on the planet.
Along the way we’ve seen the All Blacks dethroned, the Wallabies humiliated and Japan become the darlings of world rugby with their entertaining play and monumental upsets.
But with the Webb Ellis Cup on the line, it comes down to one final showdown between Eddie Jones’ England and Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks.
Here are all the pertinent details you’ll need to know ahead of Saturday’s final.
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WHEN, AND WHERE, IS IT?
The final will be played on Saturday, November 2. Kick off is at 8pm AEDT at Yokohama Stadium.
WHO IS PLAYING?
As World Rugby updates the Test rankings after every game, it will be the World No.1 (England) v the World No.2 (South Africa).
HOW TO WATCH?
The final will be broadcast live and ad-free on KAYO SPORTS and on Foxtel, Ch. 503. Get a 14-day free Kayo Sports trial by signing up here.
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HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
England finished top of Pool C, with an undefeated record and just 20 points conceded.
From the matches they played, they had three wins from three, crushing Tonga 35-3, the USA 45-7 and Argentina 39-10.
Their final pool game, against France, was called off as a result of Typhoon Hagibis.
England then swept through Australia with a 40-16 thrashing of Michael Cheika’s men in the quarter-finals before their stunning upset of the All Blacks in the semi-final over the weekend.
South Africa, meanwhile, got off to a rough start when they were beaten 23-13 by New Zealand in the Pool B opening fixture before bouncing back with three straight wins to finish second in the group stage.
Big wins over Namibia (57-3), Italy (49-3) and Canada (66-7) helped the Springboks get their mojo back before the knockout stages.
But their quarter-final win over Japan was more of a struggle, as they escaped with a 26-3 victory which blew out late – and then there was the tense 19-16 win over Wales on Sunday which sealed their spot in the final.
POTENTIAL TEAM NEWS
England have already been forced into a change – with a hamstring injury sidelining halfback Willi Heinz. Ben Spencer has been called in to replace him in the squad and looks sure to make his World Cup debut in the final, with Ben Youngs the only other No.9 in the squad.
England will be eager to keep a settled XV from the team who defeated New Zealand, but have injury concerns hanging over the heads of Owen Farrell and Jonny May, both of whom suffered minor leg injuries in the win.
South Africa could recall flying winger Cheslin Kolbe, after he was ruled out of the Wales semi with an ankle injury. Should he return, he would reclaim his spot on the wing at the expense of S’Busiso Nkosi.
Meanwhile, Erasmus has been urged to consider some radical strategies to compete with England at the breakdown, with England rugby commentator Stuart Barnes calling for captain Siya Kolisi to make way for ball-hunter Malcolm Marx.