Nations Championship 2026 - South Africa vs. England
England kick off their inaugural Nations Championship campaign against South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on 4 July. And we will be showing the match on the BIG screen in the Clubhouse!
Steve Borthwick's men have come off second best in four of their last five outings against the Springboks and will be especially determined to avenge the two painful World Cup defeats inflicted by South Africa during that time. The most recent, at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, saw England in the lead for much of the encounter only to fall just short thanks to a last-gasp penalty from Handrè Pollard.
While the challenge of facing the World Champions at altitude is undoubtedly a big one, England will be alive to the threats posed by Rassie Erasmus' side.
England and Leicester Tigers second row George Martin - highly praised for his relentless performances against South Africa in 2023 and 2024 and now back in the England squad after a lengthy injury spell - says he is relishing the confrontation that the Springboks will bring. "You know they're going to bring it, and that's what I'm looking forward to most - the physical battle," he said. "They actually pride themselves on it, so I'm definitely looking forward to that. I've never been to Johannesburg, but I know there's a bit more altitude. I'm looking forward to that challenge as well, but we'll be prepared for it - the management will put us in the best position to be ready."
Our bijou bar on The Common will open at 16:00, ahead of the kick-off at 16:40. Bring the noise for England!
[Nations Championship 2026 preview: South Africa vs England | Rugby Football Union]
