Rugby World Cup team news: South Africa unchanged as England recall Freddie Steward

Reigning champions South Africa have named an unchanged matchday squad for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris.

The Springboks progressed to a showdown with Steve Borthwick’s side by defeating hosts France 29-28 in a thrilling quarter-final clash.

Outhalf Handre Pollard, who kicked 22 points in his side’s 32-12 defeat of England in the 2019 final, remains among the replacements, with Manie Libbok continuing in the number 10 role.

Fifteen of the 23 played in that match in Yokohama when the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time.

Can Donegal win the All-Ireland?

---

Vinícius Júnior rises above racist boo boys’ jibes to deliver on biggest stage

---

Ken Early: Effortlessly elegant Ancelotti deservedly considered among the world’s best

---

All-Ireland and Tailteann Cup previews: team news, TV details and throw-in times

---

Head coach Jacques Nienaber’s decision to go with continuity means there is once again a five-three split of forwards and backs on his bench.

South Africa, who climbed to the top of the world rankings following victory over France, are strong favourites to reach the final, where they would face either New Zealand or Argentina.

“We are playing for our friends, family and the 60 million people at home who have been supporting us through thick and thin and we are determined to continue giving them hope and something to smile about,” Nienaber said.

“They [England] come off five victories in a row and they are high on confidence.

“They have a quality pack and world-class backs who can create magic on the field and those who are writing them off are making a major mistake.

“Like us, they are one game away from a World Cup final and we’ve seen through the history of the tournament that England raise their game for these matches. If we lose, we have to play the third-place playoff – which no team wants to do.”

Meanwhile, Freddie Steward returns at fullback in one of three changes made by England for Saturday’s semi-final.

Steward was dropped for the first time in his 29-cap Test career for the last-eight victory over Fiji, losing the number 15 jersey to the more attack-minded Marcus Smith.

But Smith finished the Marseille showdown with a fat lip and bandaged head following his defensive heroics – becoming an injury doubt – and has now been left out of the 23 altogether.

Steward provides high ball expertise, positional savvy and solid defence and is the safer option in the position given the strength of South Africa’s kicking game.

The remaining two changes are seen in the front five where Joe Marler starts ahead of Ellis Genge and George Martin comes in for Ollie Chessum.

England field eight survivors from the starting XV that was overrun 32-12 by South Africa in the 2019 World Cup final, the same number picked by the Springboks who named their team earlier on Thursday morning.

Marler, who was on the bench in Yokohama four years ago, is England’s strongest scrummaging loosehead prop, while 22-year-old rookie Martin is making only his fourth start in 10 Tests.

Captain Owen Farrell continues at outhalf after his man-of-the-match display against Fiji with George Ford providing cover as a replacement.

South Africa: D Willemse; K-L Arendse, J Kriel, D De Allende, C Kolbe; M Libbok, C Reinach; S Kitshoff, B Mbonambi, F Malherbe; E Etzebeth, F Mostert; S Kolisi (capt), P-S Du Toit, D Vermeulen.

Replacements: D Fourie, O Nche, V Koch, RG Snyman, K Smith, F De Klerk, H Pollard, W Le Roux.

England: F Steward; J May, J Marchant, M Tuilagi, E Daly; O Farrell (capt), A Mitchell; J Marler, J George, D Cole; M Itoje, G Martin; C Lawes, T Curry, B Earl.

Replacements: T Dan, E Genge, K Sinckler, O Chessum, B Vunipola, D Care, G Ford, O Lawrence.