Rugby World Cup: Freddie Steward replaces Marcus Smith in one of three England changes for semi-final

Freddie Steward returns to the England team at full-back for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa on Saturday (8pm UK time kick-off); Joe Marler and George Martin come into the pack; the match in Paris is a repeat of the 2019 final which the Springboks won

Sky Sports' James Cole analyses the changes that head coach Steve Borthwick has made to prepare for a physical battle against South Africa in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday

Freddie Steward returns to England’s team at full-back in place of Marcus Smith in the one of three changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has made two changes in the pack as well, with Joe Marler replacing Ellis Genge at loosehead prop and George Martin coming in for Ollie Chessum in the second row.

Steward was not included in the matchday 23 for the 30-24 win over Fiji in the quarter-finals, with Harlequins' Smith lining up in the No 15 shirt.

Action from Sunday's Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals as South Africa defeated France after England edge Fiji in thriller

Smith was forced off due for a head injury assessment which he passed, but Steward is now back as England face a rematch with the side that beat them in the World Cup final four years ago.

With Smith not even included among the replacements, Danny Care, George Ford and Ollie Lawrence will offer cover in the backs from the bench.

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Elsewhere in the team, England captain Owen Farrell, who had his name booed when it was read out over the PA ahead of the quarter-final win over Fiji, has retained his position at fly-half.

Farrell went on to be named man of the match as England maintained their unbeaten record at the World Cup despite some nervous moments against the Fijians, who had beaten them in a pre-tournament warm-up match at Twickenham.

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Borthwick knows his team will have to dig deep again if they are to dethrone the world champions and set up a final clash with either New Zealand or Argentina in Paris on Saturday, October 28.

England team

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell (c); 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.

Borthwick: We have progressed through each week | 'The players can't wait'

England head coach Steve Borthwick...

"We're all really looking forward to it. Our supporters, our players. it's brilliant.

"There's a special atmosphere, a special feeling around being in Paris ahead of this semi-final. Our supporters have been incredible for us through the tournament.

"We concentrate very much on us. How do we develop and how do we progress as a team?

"This team has progressed through each week we've had at this tournament. We've built and built, and whatever situation the players have found themselves in the games, we've found a way to win at the end of it.

England head coach, Steve Borthwick backs his players to succeed against South Africa in their Rugby World Cup semi-final on Saturday and has hailed their progression throughout the tournament

"We've got a great deal of players who care deeply about representing England. I want to make sure they put in a performance we're all proud of on Saturday night.

"There's always belief, it's strong in this team. I've sensed that all the way through since I got involved again.

"There are players here who have performed at the very highest levels, and they can't wait.

"The players are relishing the challenge ahead. We know the intensity of this Test match is going to be incredible."

England's route to the semi-finals

October 15 (Quarter-finals) England 30-24 Fiji
October 7 (Pool D) England 18-17 Samoa
September 23 (Pool D) England 71-0 Chile
September 17 (Pool D) England 34-12 Japan
September 9 (Pool D) England 27-10 Argentina

Nienaber: Neither side will give an inch

South Africa are unchanged for only the second time in the 64 Tests head coach Jacques Nienaber and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus have been in charge as they keep faith with the team which defeated hosts France 29-28 in the quarter-finals.

Eight of South Africa's team - Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe - started the 32-12 win over England in the World Cup final.

Nienaber hopes that experience will come in useful in Paris, although he expects a stiff challenge from Steve Borthwick's side who head into the match as the only undefeated team still in the tournament.

"They come off five victories in a row and they are high on confidence," Nienaber said. "They have a quality pack and world-class backs who can create magic on the field, and those who are writing them off are making a major mistake.

Former England winger Mark Cueto says all the pressure is on favourites South Africa in Saturday's Rugby World Cup semi-final

"Like us, they are one game away from a World Cup final and we've seen through the history of the tournament that England raise their game for these matches. If we lose, we have to play the third-place playoff - which no team wants to do.

"We are closely matched in terms of average player age and caps, both teams are used to playing on the biggest stage. This is do-or-die if either of wants to the lift the trophy next week, so neither side will give an inch."

South Africa team

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Steven Kitshoff, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.

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