South Africa vs England, second Test: What time does the match start, what are the teams and what is our prediction?

Nathan Hughes trying to make a break
Nathan Hughes trying to make a break Credit: getty images

What is it?

The second Test of an absorbing three-match series between England and South Africa. After a thrilling opener at Ellis Park, in which the Springboks roared back from 24-3 behind to triumph 42-39 , Eddie Jones’ side is 1-0 down. They need a win to force a decider.

Where is it?

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.

When is it?

Saturday, June 16.

What time is kick-off?

The action gets underway at 4.05pm BST.

What television channel is it on?

Sky Sports Action, and the build-up begins at 3pm BST. From 4pm BST, Sky Sports Main Event will be showing the match as well.

Who is playing?

South Africa have tinkered their pack, trading Jean-Luc du Preez for Pieter-Steph du Toit in the back row and swapping in Frans Malherbe for Wilco Louw at tighthead prop. Jesse Kriel joins the bench at the expense of Elton Jantjies.

South Africa: 15. Willie le Roux, 14. S'busiso Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk; 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. RG Snyman, 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Duane Vermeulen

Replacements: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Jean-Luc du Plessis, 20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Jesse Kriel, 23. Warrick Gelant

Meanwhile, for England, Brad Shields starts instead of Chris Robshaw and Joe Launchbury returns. Again, there is no specialist lock cover among the replacements. Mark Wilson wears the number 19 shirt.

England: 15. Elliot Daly, 14. Jonny May, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Owen Farrell (captain), 11. Mike Brown, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Maro Itoje, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Harry Williams, 19. Mark Wilson, 20. Nathan Hughes, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Denny Solomona

What are they saying?

Owen Farrell, England captain, has been impressed with his team’s response. 

"We’ve got to make it that we build up the right way to the game. We’ve had a productive week so far but just because you’ve had a productive week you can't expect it to carry on, we’ve got to build it.

"I thought we did get the emotion right [last week], just when the pressure came on and they started getting momentum we probably didn’t cope with it as well as we should’ve done, so we’ve spoken a lot."

Owen Farrell addresses England after the final whistle at Ellis Park Credit: Getty Images 

Rassie Erasmus, South Africa head coach, does not expect his team to get carried away by the fact that Tendai Mtawarira is celebrating a 100th Test and Siya Kolisi will be turning 27.

"I guess it is impossible for guys to keep the emotion away. It is what it is, it is a 100th game. I’m not sure if the birthday is such a big thing. It is the capability that if a guy can handle all that and still go out there and put the effort out there. That is the big trick, the big secret. If you can bottle all that and say my job is this, it's my 100th Test match or my birthday or whatever. 

"Like Siya did last week, it was a big occasion for him, but he was focused, he was tired that last 10 minutes but he was focused and did his job.  We expect the same from Siya and the same from Beast as well. And all of us, we shouldn’t make a hell of a hype so the focus goes away from the game. We will use it but I guess channel it in the right direction."

What are the odds?

Most bookies have given South Africa a three-point start. SkyBet have England at 11/8 to win, with the Springboks 8/13 favourites. A draw is 20/1

What is our prediction?

We will have another high-scoring, helter-skelter game…and a more dynamic England pack can force a decider. England to win 34-28.