Preview: Red Roses vs South Africa
Things to know ahead of the Red Roses' World Cup match against South Africa in Auckland.
The Red Roses face South Africa Women in their final World Cup pool match at Waikatere Stadium in Auckland on Sunday. Marlie Packer will captain the side, returning to the starting lineup to make up the back row alongside Morwenna Talling and Poppy Cleall.
| When? | Sunday 23 October |
| Where? | Waikatere Stadium, Auckland |
| Kick off? | 05:45 |
The forward pack undergoes wholesale changes as a brand new front row is brought in to face the Women Springboks. Hannah Botterman, Connie Powell and Maud Muir make up the front row, while Rosie Galligan and Cath O'Donnell are the lock pairing.
In the backs, vice captain Zoe Harrison retains her place at fly half, Lucy Packer comes in at scrum half, while Tatyana Heard and Holly Aitchison make up the centres. Jess Breach returns to the Red Roses starting lineup in the back three alongside Abby Dow (right wing) and Sarah McKenna (full back).
You can watch the match live on ITV, follow updates on England Rugby's Instagram and Twitter accounts, and check out the reaction on EnglandRugby.com.
Teams
Red Roses
Starters
15. Sarah McKenna 14. Abby Dow 13. Holly Aitchison 12. Tatyana Heard 11. Jessica Breach 10. Zoe Harrison 9. Lucy Packer 1. Hannah Botterman 2. Connie Powell 3. Maud Muir 4. Rosie Galligan 5. Cath O'Donnell 6. Morwenna Talling 7. Marlie Packer (C) 8. Poppy Cleall
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne 17. Vickii Cornborough 18. Sarah Bern 19. Zoe Aldcroft 20. Sadia Kabeya 21. Leanne Infante 22. Emily Scarratt 23. Helena Rowland
South Africa Women
15. Eloise Webb 14. Nomawethu Mabenge 13. Simamkele Mamba 12. Chumisa Qawe 11. Nadine Roos 10. Zenay Jordaan 9. Tayla Kinsey 1. Sanelisiwe Charlie 2. Roseline Botes 3. Babalwa Latsha 4. Nolusindiso Booi 5. Catha Jacobs 6. Lusanda Dumke 7. Lerato Makua 8. Aseza Hele
Replacements
16. Micke Gunter 17. Yonela Ngxingolo 18. Azisa Mkiva 19. Nompumelelo Mathe 20. Sizophila Solontsi 21. Rumandi Potgieter 22. Jakkie Cilliers 23. Chuma Qawe
Views from camp
Simon Middleton: "We know it's going to be a really tough game. South Africa were outstanding against France for long periods of the game and against Fiji they showed their resilience. They've got some good ball carriers and it's going to be a real tough game. We've got to focus on our performance and if we can get our performance right then hopefully we'll get the win.
We're going along exactly how we want to go along. We know what we want to get out of ourselves on the field, and we also know what we need to do off the field to make sure the players had a good experience out here. I think we're getting that balance right at this moment in time.
The way [Marlie] leads, whether it's on the field or energising the group, she's everything that a Red Rose should be. She's totally committed to the shirt, selfless about how she goes about everything she does and a great supporter of everyone in the team.
Marlie Packer: "It means everything to me. There's no greater privilege than to play for the Red Roses and to put on that shirt but also to be named captain at a World Cup is a massive honour and it's amazing. I've been around the setup for a very long time and I feel like I lead from the front in the way I play.
Recent Results
France 7 - 13 Red Roses
Fiji 19 - 84 Red Roses
Red Roses 73 - 7 Wales
Red Roses 52 - 14 USA
France 12 - 24 Red Roses
Red Roses 69 - 0 Ireland
Red Roses 58 - 5 Wales
Italy 0 - 74 Red Roses
Scotland 5 - 57 Red Roses
Stats
England have won 27 games in a row, an all-time record for any England Rugby team.
England have met South Africa five times previously in Test rugby, with the Red Roses winning all five encounters.
South Africa have won at least seven more turnovers than any other side in this year’s Rugby World Cup.
This will be just the second meeting between England and South Africa at the Rugby World Cup. England won 74-8 in 2006.
