MARK KEOHANE is confident of a showcase performance from the world champion Springboks in London on Saturday, worthy of their status as the form team on the planet.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane asserts that Rassie Erasmus has chosen a formidable lineup for the clash with England at Twickenham. The Boks have lost just twice this year, both by a single point.

Keohane emphasises Erasmus’ adaptability throughout 2024, with an average of nine changes per match, yet the Bok squad’s depth remains unrivalled.

He believes tighthead prop Wilco Louw’s selection targets England’s forward power, underscoring Erasmus’ strategic foresight.

Keohane highlights the attacking potential of the backline, led by Manie Libbok and Grant Williams, who are set to ignite the game from the outset.

Handre Pollard’s experience off the bench addresses any goal-kicking concerns around Libbok, but Keohane suggests the Boks’ ability to score tries should be their winning edge.

“The Springboks return to Twickenham, now the Allianz Stadium, as the official world No 1 team, the World Cup champions, the Rugby Championship winners, and they do so with the best possible match 23 coach Rassie Erasmus could have selected,” he writes.

“For the Springboks, any Test against England in south-west London is a big one. It is usually a battle that has not always favoured the Boks.

“The Boks are heavily favoured to win, and rightly so. They arrive in Twickenham as the world’s best, featuring a match 23 with the world’s best and should be expected to leave having put on an exhibition that does justice to their profile as the world’s best.”

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‘How I met Siya Kolisi’: Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp

Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp recently opened up about his friendship with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

German football executive and former manager Jurgen Klopp opens up about how he met rugby player Siya Kolisi.

JURGEN KLOPP: MEETING SPRINGBOKS CAPTAIN

Jurgen Klopp recently shared in an interview on his Instagram account the story of how he met Springboks captain Siya Kolisi.

Klopp says he and his friends were enjoying a meal at a Cape Town restaurant when they spotted Kolisi in the same restaurant.

“We had been at a restaurant in Cape Town, Camps Bay. I was there with friends and as a German guy, we are not so much into rugby. My friend who is half French and half English, he came back from the restroom, and he said, ‘My God, Siya Kolisi is here’. I walked there just to have a look,” says Klopp.

“I walked there just to have a look. Siya saw me and I didn’t know Siya Kolisi is a Liverpool supporter.”

Klopp who used to be an All-Blacks fan also reveals that he’s now a Springboks.

Sowetan revealed in 2022 that Siya Kolisi now considers Jurgen Klopp a close friend after meeting with in Cape Town.

“It’s always fun to be in Jurgen’s presence. He has a way of making you feel so good about yourself. What people might not know is that he has a great sense of humour and he’s very family orientated,” said Kolisi at the time.

The Springboks captain also revealed that he admires Klopp’s ability to bring out the best in his players.

“He focuses on building people up and has the ability to bring a diverse group of players together, which is something I really admire. In many ways he reminds me of Rassie [Erasmus],” he said.