England recall Freddie Steward while pack tweaked for Springboks showdown

England have made three changes to their starting side that will face South Africa, with Freddie Steward, George Martin and Joe Marler all coming into the starting XV for the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

The trio replace Marcus Smith, who has been ruled out with a concussion, while Ollie Chessum and Ellis Genge will revert to bench duty in Paris on Saturday.

Otherwise, it’s as you were from head coach Steve Borthwick as England look to back up the quarter-final victory over Fiji with a shock win over the Springboks.

Owen Farrell leads from 10

Owen Farrell will once again captain the side from fly-half and is joined in the half-backs by Alex Mitchell, who keeps his place ahead of Danny Care for this week’s clash.

In the front-row, Marler dons the number one jersey in place of the benched Genge and packs down with Jamie George at hooker and Dan Cole at tighthead.

At lock, Maro Itoje partners the promoted Martin, who starts his second match of the Rugby World Cup in a surprise move from Borthwick ahead of the tie.

An unchanged back-row will see vice-captain Courtney Lawes start on the blindside flank, Tom Curry at openside flank and Ben Earl wear the eight jersey.

Elsewhere, the centre partnership is retained as Manu Tuilagi is named at inside centre, with Joe Marchant at 13. Ollie Lawrence is the back-up on the bench.

In the back three, Elliot Daly continues on the left wing, with Jonny May on the right, and Steward returns to the starting XV at full-back in place of Smith.

Theo Dan, Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Chessum, Billy Vunipola, Care, George Ford and Lawrence make up an experienced bench for Borthwick this weekend.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Freddie Steward, Joe Marler and George Martin start against the Springboks. #ENGvRSA #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/pfQfUKdsOu

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) October 19, 2023

“After an excellent few days preparation in Paris, we look forward to the challenge of playing the world champions and number one ranked team in the world,” said the head coach.

“Through this tournament, the team has progressed, with the players repeatedly finding a way to win, sometimes in challenging circumstances. We will once again need to be at our very best this weekend as we face an excellent team in South Africa.

“There is no doubt the players will truly relish the challenge of knockout rugby under the lights in Paris. These players will, as they have done in every game of this tournament, give absolutely everything in the semi-final to get the result we want.

“I also know that our supporters will once again be there in their thousands, playing their part in backing the team with a full voice. To all those who have travelled and to all those lending their support and encouragement from home, I say ‘thank you’.”

England team to face Boks

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence

Date: Saturday, October 21
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

READ MORE: David Campese exclusive: Only ‘a miracle’ will see England get even close to Springboks