It is the toughest possible start for Steve Borthwick's side to the brand new biennial global tournament, which has replaced the traditional summer tours and autumn internationals with an overarching structured format.England face Fiji and Argentina in the coming weeks, with Australia, Japan and New Zealand all visiting Twickenham in November ahead of the 2026 competition's finale.
But first it's down to Johannesburg, where they have their work cut out against the reigning world champion Springboks, the back-to-back winners of both the Webb Ellis Cup and the Rugby Championship who will also be firm favourites for glory in this event.It is England's first game since a historically bad Six Nations campaign that raised serious questions over Borthwick's future ahead of the World Cup in 2027, but one that at least ended on a high note with a superb performance in a pulsating 48-46 defeat by France in Paris.
They lost 35-19 to Les Bleus in a non-cap international held in Vannes last month.
Rassie Erasmus' South Africa warmed up for this fixture and opened their season by putting 80 points on the Barbarians in Gqeberha a fortnight ago, having successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown in October with a comeback win over Argentina.
show less
But first it's down to Johannesburg, where they have their work cut out against the reigning world champion Springboks, the back-to-back winners of both the Webb Ellis Cup and the Rugby Championship who will also be firm favourites for glory in this event.It is England's first game since a historically bad Six Nations campaign that raised serious questions over Borthwick's future ahead of the World Cup in 2027, but one that at least ended on a high note with a superb performance in a pulsating 48-46 defeat by France in Paris.
They lost 35-19 to Les Bleus in a non-cap international held in Vannes last month.
Rassie Erasmus' South Africa warmed up for this fixture and opened their season by putting 80 points on the Barbarians in Gqeberha a fortnight ago, having successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown in October with a comeback win over Argentina.
It is the toughest possible start for Steve Borthwick's side to the brand new biennial global tournament, which has replaced the traditional summer tours and autumn internationals with an overarching structured format.England face Fiji and Argentina in the coming weeks, with Australia, Japan and New Zealand all visiting Twickenham in November ahead of the 2026 competition's finale.
But first it's down to Johannesburg, where they have their work cut out against the reigning world champion Springboks, the back-to-back winners of both the Webb Ellis Cup and the Rugby Championship who will also be firm favourites for glory in this event.It is England's first game since a historically bad Six Nations campaign that raised serious questions over Borthwick's future ahead of the World Cup in 2027, but one that at least ended on a high note with a superb performance in a pulsating 48-46 defeat by France in Paris.
They lost 35-19 to Les Bleus in a non-cap international held in Vannes last month.
Rassie Erasmus' South Africa warmed up for this fixture and opened their season by putting 80 points on the Barbarians in Gqeberha a fortnight ago, having successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown in October with a comeback win over Argentina.
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But first it's down to Johannesburg, where they have their work cut out against the reigning world champion Springboks, the back-to-back winners of both the Webb Ellis Cup and the Rugby Championship who will also be firm favourites for glory in this event.It is England's first game since a historically bad Six Nations campaign that raised serious questions over Borthwick's future ahead of the World Cup in 2027, but one that at least ended on a high note with a superb performance in a pulsating 48-46 defeat by France in Paris.
They lost 35-19 to Les Bleus in a non-cap international held in Vannes last month.
Rassie Erasmus' South Africa warmed up for this fixture and opened their season by putting 80 points on the Barbarians in Gqeberha a fortnight ago, having successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown in October with a comeback win over Argentina.
show less
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