England vs South Africa
20th November 1515hrs
Rugby – England – Autumn International
Pick South Africa to win
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 5/6 odds taken 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021
England came up trumps against Australia last weekend in the rugby Autumn Internationals and now they will look for another positive.
It’s reigning World Champions South Africa that England face on Saturday, and the Red Rose will be looking to put on a show and for a bit of revenge.
The Springboks got the better of England in the final of the 2019 World Cup and are looking to add to Autumn wins over Wales and Scotland.
Table of Contents
England Preview – Can England get revenge?
After hammering New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, England had a big chance of glory in the tournament.
But they ran into the physical and calculated presence of South Africa in the final and came up a long way short.
England are a quote of 11/10 in the match outright for rugby betting* (odds recorded 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021).
It is not too often that England go into a home fixture as underdogs.
But that says a lot about the visitors more than anything.
Red Rose to build on last weekend’s win?
Last weekend England picked up a comfortable victory over Australia, largely thanks to a superb first-half performance.
They looked mobile and positive and Marcus Smith got his big chance to shine. Smith stays in the starting line up alongside Manu Tuilagi this weekend.
England denied Australia a try last weekend in a 32-15 success but this on paper looks like being a tougher task.
That’s because the Springboks will bring a much sterner physical challenge to the table and really take England on up front, where the Wallabies didn’t.
England have won two of their last three matches against South Africa, but the big one that mattered in that sequence, the 2019 World Cup final, they lost.
It was back in 2018 that England last hosted South Africa and the Red Rose took a 12-11 victory on the day.
Looking back at the extended head to head, England are W3 D1 L6 in their last ten internationals against South Africa.
Only one of the last four meetings have been settled by a margin of fewer than eleven points.
An England +1 handicap is at even money* (odds recorded 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021)
For Saturday’s fixture, England will be without the experienced duo of Owen Farrell and Jamie George who are injured.
England: Steward; Marchant, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Smith, Youngs; Rodd, Blamire, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes (capt), Underhill, Curry. Replacements: Dolly, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Simmonds, Dombrandt, Quirke, Malins.
South Africa Preview – Boks a big threat
During this Autumn International series, South Africa have taken wins against Wales and Scotland.
They have looked at their usual powerful and commanding best.
South Africa are missing some key personnel like Cheslin Kolbe and Faf de Klerk, but they still pose a huge threat.
The Springboks are massive in the forward ranks and that’s where they can hurt England.
Springboks the match favourite
South Africa are the 4/5 odds-on favourites for rugby betting in the match outright* (odds recorded 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021).
During that 32-12 2019 World Cup FInal win over England, the Springboks shut down any threat that England had.
They have again looked powerful at set-pieces and will raise a threat through the air.
It’s not likely that they are going to be anything different to the table on Saturday and it’s going to be up to England to try and find a way to break them down.
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South Africa have had a big year including playing host to the British & Irish Lions in the summer. South Africa earned a come-from-behind 2-1 series win against the touring Linos.
The Rugby Championship didn’t really pan out great for them, losing twice against Australia.
The Springboks closed out the campaign in a dead-rubber victory over New Zealand to end a three-match losing streak of form in the competition.
The tourists are bring fly-half, Handre Pollard, back into the starting line up. He scored 22 of South Africa’s 32 World Cup final points against England.
This is the final match of the Autumn Series for South Africa.
England vs South Africa Betting Advice
England are still in a bit of rebuilding mode and will miss out on the experience of Farrell and George in the starting fifteen.
It was a fantastic performance from England against Australia last weekend, but this is a different kettle of fish.
The South Africa 5/6 match outright odds have to be the way to go* (odds recorded 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021).
Key Facts – England vs South Africa Betting Tip
- England lost the 2019 World Cup Final to South Africa
- England beat Australia 32-15 last weekend
- South Africa have won 6 of the last 10 against England
The Boks have looked very powerful and their control at the line-outs and scrums is phenomenal and they can, once again, hurt England.
That’s the thing about South Africa. You know what is coming but it is so very difficult to stop.
The South Africa 1-5 winning margin option is at 9/2 for rugby betting* (odds recorded 17:20 GMT on November 18th, 2021).
The best betting odds for England vs South Africa
England to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
South Africa to win: 5/6 at Bet365
