England vs South Africa
2019 Rugby World Cup Final
Venue: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Date: Saturday, 2 November, 2019
Kick-off: 9.00am BST
England and South Africa will contest a Rugby World Cup Final for the second time in 12 years after both advanced to Saturday's Yokohama showpiece.
Eddie Jones's men produced a titanic performance to dominate New Zealand, who hadn't lost a Rugby World Cup match since their quarter-final defeat to France in 2007
On Sunday, the Springboks edged past Wales 19-16 to set up a mouth-watering shootout for the Webb Ellis Cup, with England the favourites to dethrone the All Blacks.
That would mean a second world crown for the Red Rose following a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired success against Australia 16 years ago, while South Africa are battling for a third world title (1995, 2007).
Jones said: "We set out four years ago, and we wanted to be the best team in the world. We are not the best team in the world, but we have got an opportunity to play in a game to prove we are, and that is all we are concerned with.
"We will just take each day as it comes. We have got another week to enjoy it, and that is what we will do."
Team news
England will entrust twin playmakers George Ford and Owen Farrell with the task of masterminding victory over South Africa after naming an unchanged side for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
Eddie Jones has kept faith with Ford at fly-half after his outstanding display in the remarkable 19-7 last-four victory over New Zealand - despite the physical threat posed by Springboks centre Damien de Allende.
Farrell and Manu Tuilagi continue their midfield partnership and there is a boost for England in the front row after Kyle Sinckler won his battle with a calf injury to resume at tighthead prop.
There is one injury-enforced change on the bench where Ben Spencer comes in for Willi Heinz, who has been ruled out of Jones' 50th Test as head coach because of a hamstring injury.
Spencer will win his fourth cap and make his World Cup debut if he is brought on to replace scrum-half Ben Youngs.
It is the first time since March 2016 and only the second occasion overall that Jones has named an unchanged starting XV.
Meanwhile, South Africa's star wing Cheslin Kolbe returns for Saturday's World Cup final against England in the only change made by coach Rassie Erasmus.
England: E Daly; A Watson, M Tuilagi, O Farrell (captain), J May; G Ford, B Youngs; M Vunipola, J George, K Sinckler, M Itoje, C Lawes, T Curry, S Underhill, B Vunipola.
Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, J Marler, D Cole, G Kruis, M Wilson, B Spencer, H Slade, J Joseph.
South Africa: W Le Roux; C Kolbe, L Am, D De Allende, M Mapimpi; H Pollard, F De Klerk; T Mtawarira, M Mbonambi, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, L De Jager, S Kolisi (captain), PS Du Toit, D Vermuelen.
Replacements: M Marx, S Kitshoff, V Koch, RG Snyman, F Mostert, F Louw, H Jantjies, F Steyn.
Referee: Jerome Garces (France).
Score prediction: England 21-10 South Africa
Form goes out of the window on occasions such as these but England will be favourites going into the Final after sending the dominant back-to-back champions packing - and in some style - on Saturday.
Eddie Jones's men must be disciplined, as they have been so far in the tournament, as Handre Pollard won't need a second invitation to punish them with the boot.
Betting tips via Betfair Exchange | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- England to win: 40/85
- Draw: 26/1
- South Africa to win: 12/5
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on ITV and ITV HD with build-up starting at 7:30am.
TV license payers can also stream the match online via the ITV website and the ITV Hub.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog with Will Macpherson in Yokohama.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
These two sides have met on 42 previous occasions at Test level, with South Africa boasting 25 wins to England's 15.
There have been two draws. This will be their fifth meeting at a World Cup Finals, with South Africa winning three, including the 2007 Final.
