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As it happenedended

South Africa vs England LIVE: Springboks wrap up series victory with 23-12 win over disappointing England

Follow the latest from the second Test in Bloemfontein

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 16 June 2018 04:52 EDT
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England vs South Africa second test: Match preview

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England must beat South Africa in their second Test encounter in Bloemfontein or risk losing the summer series with a test to spare.

Eddie Jones has taken a gamble ahead of the match by handing Brad Shields his first start for England, having dropped Chris Robshaw from the matchday squad in the process, while he has also elected to bring Joe Launchbury straight back into the starting line-up following his recovery from a calf injury. Danny Cipriani also features, although the Gloucester-bound fly-half will have to wait for his international return as he named among the replacements.

South Africa meanwhile have made two changes in the hope of clinching yet another series victory over England. Pieter-Steph du Toit starts at flanker in place of Jean-Luc du Preez and Frans Malherbe returns at tighthead prop, with Wilco Louw dropping out of the squad. The match will also be a special occasion for loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarawira as he will win his 100th cap for the Springboks.

Follow the live action below...

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What time does it start?

South Africa vs England kicks off at 16:05 BST on Saturday 16 June.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 15:00 BST.

Teams

South Africa: Willie le Roux; S’busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawawira, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malberbe; RG Snyman, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitschoff, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl, Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant.

England: Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury; Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, Danny Cipriani, Denny Solomona.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's second Test between South Africa and England as the tourists look to keep the series alive following last weekend's nail-biting defeat.

We're about 30 minutes away from kick-off, so let's take a look at what has dominated the build-up this week.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:38

The big news from the team announcements on Thursday was undoubtedly the dropping of Chris Robshaw and a first start for Brad Shields.

The New Zealand-born flanker's selection has proven to be quite a controversial one, given that he had to ask to be released from his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union in order to join the squad.

But as he said this week, he's ready to let his rugby to the talking:

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:40

South Africa meanwhile made a surprise selection of their own as the 'retired' Schalk Brits joined up with the squad to lend a hand to Rassie Erasmus.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:43

Both teams are going through the final stages of their warm-ups in Bloemfontein, before they head back to the changing rooms for one last time before kick-off. Remember, after last weekend's 42-39 defeat, England HAVE to win this match to take the three-Test series to a decider next week.

Here's a reminder of how the madness unfolded:

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:51

Here's how the teams line up

South Africa: Willie le Roux; S’busiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Tendai Mtawawira, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malberbe; RG Snyman, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitschoff, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl, Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant.

England: Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury; Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, Danny Cipriani, Denny Solomona.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:55

We're just awaiting the teams before the anthems now, and South Africa will be led out by their loosehead prop Tendai Mtarawira, who collects his 100th cap in what has been a phenomenally successful career to-date.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:58

How will the altitude factor play out? It's worth keeping an eye on their fitness as the second half wears on, given they certainly looked to be out on their feet in Johannesburg last weekend. Have they trained this week to cope with that?

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 15:59

Led out by Owen Farrell, here come England! The Springboks keep them waiting, but Mtawarira eventually appears alongside his two children to a wonderful reception.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 16:00

The Springboks keep them waiting for an eternity and three warriors come charging out of the tunnel that is filled with green smoke. Siya Kolisi waits and waits and waits, before finally emerging to join Mtarawira on the pitch. The Springboks are here!

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 16:02

Time for the anthems...after a moment of silence in remembrance of former Springbok Sid Nomis.

Jack de Menezes16 June 2018 16:03

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