Things could get worse before they get better for England, who face back-to-back world champions South Africa at Ellis Park in the opening round of the inaugural Nations Championship 2026.
After a second-string team thumped the Barbarians last weekend, Rassie Erasmus has named a formidable lineup for the Springboks’ tournament opener. All the heavy artillery, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende, is involved, while Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse will earn their 50th caps. Erasmus and the Boks love nothing more than getting one over the English and they’ll be gunning for blood today. Manie Libbok starts at fly-half.
If the Rugby World Cup weren’t so close, Steve Borthwick would almost certainly have been out on his ear. After 11 wins in a row in 2025, England lost four of their five Six Nations games to finish second from bottom, but the RFU’s reluctance to start afresh has left the team in a sort of limbo. An improved display in the final round against France probably saved Borthwick’s job. Skipper Maro Itoje has been granted time off, while injured duo Sam Underhill and Elliot Daly are also absent. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns on the wing, as Henry Pollock is once again on the bench seeking to make an impact.
England famously haven’t won at Ellis Park, which sits 1,753 meters above sea level, since 1972.
Read on as we explain how to watch South Africa vs England for free in the 2026 Nations Championship.
Can you watch South Africa vs England for free?
Yes. South Africa vs England is being shown on free-to-air Rugbypass TV in the US, on ITVX in the UK, and on Virgin Media Play in Ireland.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch South Africa vs England for free as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch South Africa vs England live streams
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it’s back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in the US
South Africa vs England, along with all 42 Nations Championship games, is available to live stream for FREE on Rugbypass TV in the US.
You can tune in via the Rugbypass TV website or app, and it works with Chromecast, Airplay, AppleTV and Android TV.
Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you’re traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in the UK
In the UK, South Africa vs England is free-to-air on ITV4, with live streaming available via ITVX.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g.HA9 0WS). Sign up here!
If you’re out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in Ireland
South Africa vs England is free-to-air on Virgin Media One in Ireland, with live streaming available via the Virgin Media Play platform.
Outside Ireland? You’ll need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to tap into your free Nations Championship stream from abroad.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in Australia
In Australia, South Africa vs England is exclusive to Stan Sport.
Stan Sport costs AU$20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU$12/month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch the action as if you were back home.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is showing the South Africa vs England game.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream, with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.
Those outside of New Zealand for any part of the Nations Championship can use NordVPN to gain access to their home streaming service.
How to watch Springboks vs England live streams in South Africa
The Springboks vs England game is being shown on Supersport in South Africa.
You’ll need to get a DStv access package to watch the Nations Championship, with prices starting at Rs99/month for the streaming version.
Abroad right now? Just use a VPN and tell your device that you’re back home and you’ll be good to go.
How to watch South Africa vs England live streams in Canada
In Canada, South Africa vs England is being shown on Premier Sports.
It costs CA$29.99 a month. You’ll need either the CA$79.99 six-month pass or the CA$139.99/year annual subscription to tune in to the whole tournament.
If you’re out of Canada but still want to catch the action, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.
What is the South Africa vs England start time?
The scheduled South Africa vs England kick-off time on Saturday, July 4 is 5.40pm SAST local time in Johannesburg, which is 8.40am PT / 11.40am ET / 4.40pm BST.
That’s 1.40am AEST on Sunday, July 5 in Australia.
What is the South Africa vs England head-to-head?
The Springboks have won 29 of their 47 previous encounters with England. England have won 16, and there have been two draws.
In South Africa, the head-to-head stands at 11-4-1.
Can I watch South Africa vs England on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser. For example, ITVX, Rugbypass TV and VM Play all have dedicated apps.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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