Sleightholme strikes early as England lead South Africa – live updates

A first rendition of swing low, sweet chariot rings around Twickenham…

And don’t the home fans love that. Sloppy from Libbok, who fumbles the ball forward and England are away again.

Steward unafraid to launch himself into the high ball, but knocks on there. South Africa now sustaining a spell of possession, Lawrence with a crunching tackle on Eztebeth.

You have to say that is quite magnificent from Marcus Smith, the drop goal is on, but he turns it down, flips the field and scurries into space, popping the ball off for a three vs two.

Sleightholme out wide and finishes with aplomb. Smith with the extras and that’s the perfect start for England!

A solid first claim for Steward, he absorbed a mighty hit and a first scrum for England… It’s out and the home supporters roar them on as Smith dinks a kick over the time.

The Springboks absorb the pressure and then deliver Kolisi with a crunching tackle on Earl, you can feel that from up in the stands.

Those ribs will be a little sore tomorrow.

Two epic anthems belted out and it’s finally go time, can England salvage a tricky spot after back-to-back defeats this autumn?

It’s time for the laser show at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, the atmosphere ignited as fireworks drift into the London sky.

England took the decision to huddle together a little longer than usual before returning to the dressing room. They then shuffled around the posts for a warm reception from this crowd and descended down the tunnel…

Hoping to keep Itoje, Etzebeth and the rest in check will be these chaps, with Ireland’s Andrew Brace leading the officiating team.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Assistant Referee 1: Chris Busby (Ireland)

Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Television Match Official: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Foul Play Review Officer: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

And we also went inside the mind of the Springboks enforcer to find out all about the most capped South African of all time:

The second row battle between Maro Itoje and Eben Etzebeth could be titanic today. The Independent sat down with England’s lock polymath ahead of the Autumn Nations Series…

South Africa make 12 changes from the win over Scotland, with most of Rassie Erasmus’s key figures brought back. Tighthead prop Wilco Louw makes a first start since 2021 in an otherwise familiar and fearsome Springboks pack, while Manie Libbok starts at fly half as Handre Pollard takes on a closing role on the bench. That replacement unit shows a traditional five forwards to three backs split.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonami, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 RG Snyman; 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.