The second Rugby World Cup semi-final takes place on Saturday when England meet South Africa in a repeat of the final four years ago.
The Springboks won that match 32-12, controlling proceedings before adding two late tries to emphasise their superiority in the 2019 showpiece.
England are the only unbeaten team still in the tournament, battling through Pool D before outlasting Fiji 30-24 in the quarter-finals.
Like they did in 2019, South Africa lost a group match, going down 13-8 to Ireland to finish second in Pool B. However, that did not dissuade them as they regrouped to upset hosts France 29-28 in the last eight.
Coaching maestros Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus seem to be timing their team's run to perfection and they look set to grind out another victory at the Stade de France.
- South Africa to win by 1-12 points
- Cheslin Kolbe anytime tryscorer
- Eben Etzebeth Player of the Match
Springboks To Battle Through
South Africa have developed into a more rounded team than four years ago but may opt to keep it tight on Saturday, backing their defence to hold out England's attack.
The Red Rose produced arguably their best performance of the tournament against Fiji but were still ragged at times without the ball, albeit against a fantastically attacking Fijian side.
Of the pair's four previous Rugby World Cup meetings, two have been played at the Stade de France, including the 2007 final, which South Africa won 15-6.
The duo have met 15 times since that game and nine of those have had a winning margin of less than 12 points, while there has also been a draw.
With rain forecast and questions over South African number 10 Manie Libbock's goal-kicking, Saturday could turn into an arm wrestle. However, as they so often do, the Boks should come through.
Kolbe an England threat
Kolbe A Constant Threat
Cheslin Kolbe grabbed the headlines last Sunday with his charge down of France full-back Thomas Ramos' first-half conversion and backed it up moments later with a try.
The Stade de France has proved a happy hunting ground for the 29-year-old, twice winning the Top 14 final there with Toulouse, while he also scored a try in last month's Pool B defeat to Ireland.
Additionally, Kolbe touched against England in the final four years ago. His record suggests he is a player for the big occasion and he could be key to the outcome on Saturday.
Etzebeth Can Enforce Again
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth is arguably the form player in the world and grabbed his team's crucial fourth try against France.
That was his third score in eight Tests, a sharp upgrade after only crossing three times in his first 110 caps.
A first-half yellow card perhaps ruled him out of the Player of the Match reckoning against the French but he was otherwise flawless.
At 31, there is still the possibility that he could make a fourth Rugby World Cup in 2027 but his form suggests he does not want to take that chance.
Adding tries to his all-around play has further highlighted Etzebeth's excellence and his exploits could be rewarded if the game is decided by the packs.
England vs Springboks Teams
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler
Bench: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence
Springboks: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 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
