England come into the Nations Championship off the back of a poor Six Nations campaign in which they won just one of five games, including losses to Scotland and Italy.
Their final match of that tournament showed a much-improved performance against France, however, even though they still lost 48-46.
The Springboks, on the other hand, are just beginning their international season with only a big win over the Barbarians to their name in 2026.
Erasmus is taking nothing for granted against a wounded England outfit in naming one of the strongest possible starting XVs the Springboks could muster, and for good reason.
Matches between South Africa and England are traditionally close encounters, regardless of relative form going into the match, and often result in epic showdowns.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has selected a young and dangerous side that will be utterly fearless in the face of the Springboks.
Erasmus has expressed respect for their opponents, praising England’s quality and ambition, while expecting a very physical contest between the two sides.
As such, he has gone for a team full of experience and physicality, as well as a number of specialist players that will help them dominate up front and in the set pieces, which is an environment the Springboks typically thrive in.
Forward power set to define Ellis Park battle
The loose trio in Siya Kolisi as captain, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese are just three games away from becoming the most experienced combination at the back of a scrum in Springbok history.
Kolisi, Du Toit and Wiese are all very physical players with immense work rate and varying skills that complement each other perfectly. They will cause problems on both sides of the ball with hard carries and strong defending, while Kolisi and Wiese also add a poaching threat.
In the front row, Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit present one of the most intimidating scrumming combinations in the world and will be incredibly difficult for the English to handle at scrum time. Both Nche and Du Toit have made a habit of demolishing opponents this season, while Marx is a strong scrummager in his own right, while also presenting a threat at the breakdown and with ball in hand.
Libbok handed creative reins at flyhalf
Ruan Nortje is one of the most improved players in South African rugby in recent years and has played his way into being the first-choice No 5 lock for the Springboks. He will partner Eben Etzebeth in the back row, who needs little introduction considering he will be playing his 142nd match for his country, but there may be some rust he needs to shake off since it will be his first game after being suspended at the end of the 2025 international season.
The most eye-opening selection comes at flyhalf, where Manie Libbok was chosen to start over Handre Pollard, with the Bulls star not even making the bench for the game. Libbok has been in superb form for the Kintetsu Liners in Japan, while Pollard struggled to reach his best in the final weeks of the franchise season - especially with the boot where he is usually so reliable.
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu out injured, Erasmus revealed he picked Libbok as a creative option to exploit any and all weaknesses in the England defence, especially after they have been worn down by the Bok pack. The fact that he had an extra week in training with the squad because of Pollard's involvement in the URC final also played a significant role in the decision.
Libbok will be supported by Grant Williams at scrumhalf, and his pace, both to the breakdown and with ball in hand, is going to cause the English plenty of problems. The fact that he can move to wing or fullback gives the Springboks plenty of options to change things up in the second half.
In midfield, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are a tried-and-tested combination with a wealth of experience that offers power and solidity. The pair are equally dangerous on attack and defence while also providing a calming influence if things start to go south.
Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse are a devastating combination of outside backs who will make the aerial game very difficult for England while also providing electric pace and game-breaking ability.
Kolbe and Willemse are able to slot into various positions in the backline to provide more flexibility to keep England guessing, with the former also showing he is more than capable of being the place kicker if Libbok can't find his radar early on.
Depth and impact options set to provide second-half surge
There are also some interesting options available on the bench with a solid mix of experience and high-potential depth. It’s built for the high-intensity, physical battle expected against England, focusing on forward dominance in the second half and backline versatility.
Erasmus has gone for a more traditional 5-3 split but Andre Esterhuizen is able to play in both the backline and in the forwards, so it could well switch to a 6-2 split at a moment's notice.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels provides a reliable and mobile option at hooker if Marx runs his tank empty, while Gerhard Steenekamp and Zachary Porthen offer serious scum power that could potentially devastate England in the second period.
Marco van Staden is a high work-rate loose forward, who excels at stealing ball at the breakdown and also provides cover as a solid lineout jumper.
Cameron Hanekom makes his return to the team after injury kept him out for most of 2025 and will be champing at the bit to add to his singular Test cap. He will cover Wiese at eighth man and will also be a secondary lock option.
The Springbok bench is light on specialist lock cover, with Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager still out injured and will be leaning heavily on Van Staden, Hanekom and perhaps even Esterhuizen to help out in this area.
Cobus Reinach is also back in the mix after spending some time out with injury. Reinach is a world-class scrumhalf with bags of experience who will offer raw pace, game management and pinpoint box kicks to help control the game in the latter stages.
Canan Moodie is a dynamic runner and finisher who can cause all kinds of problems against a tired defence. His ability to change the game with ball in hand could prove crucial against England and he also provides versatility in being able to play centre, wing or at fullback.
While there may be some rotation in the following Tests against Scotland and Wales, the team Erasmus has selected for the season opener against England feels very close to the strongest possible lineup. It boasts an exciting mix of traditional Bok DNA in dominance up front, with the growing influence of a fluid and attacking backline.
With Springbok fans expecting a statement win to launch a blockbuster 2026 season, Erasmus has gone for a confident, no-nonsense selection that signals business as usual for the world’s top-ranked side, leaning on proven winners to start the Nations Championship strongly while keeping plenty of options on the bench.
Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 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 (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
Springbok loose forward Elrigh Louw has been called up to the national squad as additional forward cover, marking a significant milestone in his comeback from serious injury.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has tackled England as both a player and a coach and says it is always something special when the two nations do battle.
Rassie Erasmus has detailed his decision to leave experienced prop Wilco Louw out of the Springboks’ matchday 23 for next Saturday’s clash with England in Johannesburg, while also confirming a "bad" injury to Riley Norton.
Springboks Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse celebrate their 50th Test caps when they face England in the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday.
