South Africa have physical edge over England for Twickenham showdown

Autumn international
Sky Sports Action, 3pm Saturday

England and South Africa face off for the fourth time this year and although the Springboks took the series spoils 2-1 in the summer, England are narrow favourites on home soil in a clash between sides hit by selection issues.

While injuries have had a huge impact on England's build-up, the Boks' problem is that this match falls outside the Test window so players at clubs outside South Africa are not available for selection.

That includes scrum-half Faf de Klerk, who was hugely influential in the summer Tests, and full-back Willie le Roux, both of whom play in England's Premiership.

However, the visitors still have an experienced and imposing pack and they will surely look to take the chance to put the squeeze on up front.

England coach Eddie Jones has had to test his front-row resources with so many props missing, and there's a new-look back row too, with some surprise selections.

The selection of Ben Te'o has also raised a few eyebrows as the Worcester centre has barely figured for his club this season. It looks as if he has been fast-tracked back to counter the physical threat that the Boks will pose, but he makes up an unfamiliar and unproven midfield pairing with Henry Slade.

England's physicality has been weakened by the loss of the Vunipola brothers while Chris Robshaw's steadying hand will be missed too and the South Africa pack will be confident of getting on top at the set-piece.

England won the final Test of the summer tour - a dead rubber in Cape Town - and the last meeting between these two at Twickenham two years ago. But those are their only victories in the last 16 head-to-heads, a run that goes back to 2006 and the Boks should have every confidence of at least keeping this close and maybe nicking a win.

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South Africa +4
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