The final of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan will be played on Saturday 2nd November between England and South Africa. The final is the second time South Africa take on England for the Webb Ellis Trophy after the Springboks won in 2007 against the English to claim their second RWC.
England and SA have faced each other four times in the RWC history with SA winning three times.
Final RWC 2019: England vs South Africa
England
England has named an unchanged starting team for the Rugby World Cup final, sticking with the same 15 that took the All Blacks apart in their famous semi-final win. On the bench, Saracens scrum-half Ben Spencer replaces the injured Willi Heinz.
The English are now ranked as the number one team in the world and will go into the game as favourites. Eddie Jones’s starting XV has an average age of 27 years and 60 days.
England’s line-up average 51 caps per player which is the third most experienced Rugby World Cup finalist team.
South Africa
South Africa has made one change to the match-day 23 that beat Wales in the semi-final, with Cheslin Kolbe coming into the side, after recovering from his injury. Captain Siya Kolisi will earn his 50th test cap in the final.
The Springboks are ranked 2nd in the world and narrowly beat Wales in the semi-final. They will look to be the first team to win the Rugby World Cup after having lost a group game.
South Africa’s starting XV is older than England by one year and 148 days on average and their average caps is 46.
Match official
Jérôme Garcès will become the first Frenchman to referee a Rugby World Cup final as he takes charge of England versus South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama on 2 November at the RWC 2019. He was also the match referee for the Wales vs South Africa semifinal.
Garcès is joined by Romain Poite (France) and Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) as assistant referees and Ben Skeen (New Zealand) as TMO (Television Match Official).
World Rugby Rankings
- England
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- Wales
- Ireland
- Australia
- France
- Japan
- Scotland
- Argentina
Based on World Rugby rankings correct at time of being published.
Bronze match RWC 2019
The bronze playoff game was contested by New Zealand and Wales on Friday 1st November with the All Blacks winning 40-17. It was the final match for both Steve Hansen as coach of NZ and for Warren Gatland of Wales. A number of players also signed off their international careers in the game including Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty and Kieran Read.
Other Rugby World Cup 2019 news:
- The South African Broadcasting Corporation has confirmed that it will broadcast the 2019 Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and England in Yokohama on Saturday in South Africa. This will enable just about anyone with access to a TV to watch the game, rather than a pay per view service.
- World Rugby Player of the Year Nominees: Joe Taufete’e (USA), Alyn Wyn Jones (Wales), Cheslin Kolbe (SA), Pieter Steph Du Toit (SA), Ardie Savea (NZ), Tom Curry (England).
- World Rugby Coach of the Year Nominees: Rassie Erasmus (SA), Warren Gatland (Wales), Steve Hansen (NZ), Eddie Jones (England), Jamie Joseph (Japan).
- World Rugby Team of the Year Nominees: Japan, Wales, England, South Africa, New Zealand.
Find out about more rugby in Asia:
- Read about the upcoming SEA Games this December which includes rugby sevens.
- 2020 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the Singapore Sevens 2020.
- The Sevens Rugby World Cup 2022 has been confirmed to take place in Cape Town.
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