Rugby fans are in for a treat on Saturday evening with TWO blockbuster Tests scheduled to take place.
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It will be a case of ‘North vs South’ in both matches as England host South Africa at the newly-named Allianz Stadium in London at 19:40 (SA time), followed by France against New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris.
That clash will kick off at 22:10 (SA time).
The World Rugby No 1 ranking will also be on the line to add extra spice to what should be 160 minutes (and more) of mouthwatering rugby.
ENGLAND VS SOUTH AFRICA
Steve Borthwick’s England side are a desperate bunch after losing their last four matches in a row.
That includes narrow defeats to New Zealand (24-22) and Australia (42-37) at home in their November campaign.
The Springboks, on the other hand, started their end-of-year tour with a 32-15 victory over Scotland last weekend.
LIVE
PREDICTION
Springboks to win by 8 points
TEAMS
England
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Tom Roebuck
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
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
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
FRANCE VS NEW ZEALAND
Fabien Galthie’s France welcome in-form New Zealand to Paris with the hosts hoping to build on the victories they chalked up in the their two most recent meetings against the All Blacks.
The French hammered them on a cold November evening in 2021 before taking the spoils in last year’s Rugby World Cup opener, both at the Stade de France.
LIVE
PREDICTION
France to win by 2 points
TEAMS
France
15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Charles Ollivon, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
New Zealand
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Pick your two winners
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