Frankly if i was playing at this level for my country.. i would consider an honour to receive the Haka.. in fact i would be insulted it it weren't given.
Go Canada.. beat Italy.
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Rugby World Cup 2015
- Thread starter Blackleaf
- Start date
Frankly if i was playing at this level for my country.. i would consider an honour to receive the Haka.. in fact i would be insulted it it weren't given.
Go Canada.. beat Italy.
I wouldn't stand for the New Zealand insulting me with the Haka. I'd probaly just walk over to one of them and lamp him. I've got pride in myself, will always defend myself and will not stand for such unsportsmanlike behaviour directed in my direction.
The Rugby World Cup returns today.
Japan's Brave Blossoms, national heroes now in their home country, will be hoping to repeat their heroics against mighty South Africa by causing another upset against the Scots, who are playing their opening match. That match kicks off at 2:30pm UK time at Kingsholm, home of Gloucester Rugby.
Japan is hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the first time the tournament will be played outside an established rugby nation. Japan failed to win the bid to host this Rugby World Cup which, as we can see, was awarded to England.
In England's Pool A, mighty Australia, the Rugby World Cup winners in 1991 and 1999, finally get their campaign underway against Fiji at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at 16:45 and then, in Canada's Pool D, Romania start their tournament against France at Olympic Stadium in London.
Teams
Scotland vs Japan (at Kingsholm, Gloucester; 14:30)
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Sean Lamont; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; Al Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Ryan Wilson, John Hardie, Dave Denton.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Ryan Grant, Jon Welsh, Richie Gray, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Peter Horne, Sean Maitland.
Japan: Ayumu Goromaru; Kotaro Matsushima, Male Sa'u, Yu Tamura, Kenki Fukuoka; Tatekawa, Harumichi Tanaka; Keita Inagaki, Shota Horie, Hiroshi Yamash ita, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Michael Leitch, Michael Broadhurst, Amanaki Mafi.
Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Shoji Ito, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh.
Match stats
- The Scots have failed to cross the try line in five of their last seven Rugby World Cup matches and last scored a World Cup try in their 2011 opener against Romania.
- Scotland's largest Test victory came against Japan in 2004; they ran out 100-8 winners and scored 15 tries.
- Overall Scotland have won all four of their matches against Japan, all by more than 20 points.
Australia vs Fiji (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; 16:45)
Australia: Folau; Ashley-Cooper, Kuridrani, Giteau, Horne; Foley, Genia; Sio, Moore (capt), Kepu, Douglas, Simmons, Fardy, Hooper, Pocock.
Replacements: Polota-Nau, Slipper, Holmes, Skelton, Mumm, Phipps, Toomua, Beale.
Fiji: Talebula; Nayacalevu, Goneva, Lovobalavu, Nadolo; Volavola, Matawalu; Ma'afu, Tuapati, Saulo, Cavubati, Nakarawa, Yato, Qera, Talei.
Replacements: Veikoso, Ravai, Colati, Soqeta, Ravulo, Kenatale, Matavesi, Tikoirotuma.
Match stats
- Australia are unbeaten in 15 games against Fiji, winning 14, drawing one and emerging victorious in the last 12 matches.
- The Wallabies' last four wins over the Islanders have all been by margins greater than 40 points.
- Fiji have scored a try in each of their last 29 Tests, last failing to score in their final game of the 2011 World Cup against Wales. This is the longest such current run in Test rugby.
France vs Romania (at Olympic Stadium, London; 20:00)
France: Dulin; Guitoune, Fickou, Fofana, Nakaitaci; Tales, Parra; Debaty, Szarzewski, Atonio, Le Roux, Flanquart, Nyanga, Ouedraogo, Picamoles.
Replacements: Kayser, Ben Arous, Mas, Maestri, Chouly, Kockott, Michalak, Bastareaud.
Romania: Fercu; Lemnaru, Kinikinilau, Vlaicu, Apostol; Dumbrava, Surugiu; Lazar, Turashvili, Ion, Poparlan, van Heerden, Ursache, Lucaci, Macovei.
Replacements: Radoi, Ursache, Pungea, Tonita, Burcea, Calafeteanu, Botezatu, Gal.
Match stats
- These two sides met in the 1987 and 1991 World Cups, with France winning 55-12 and 30-3 respectively.
- However, the Oaks remained in the game at half-time in both those fixtures, going in level in 1987 and trailing by just six points in 1991.
- Romania are on a run of five defeats in the Rugby World Cup - stretching back to their 14-10 success against Portugal in the 2007 tournament.
Rugby Union - BBC Sport
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Result
Pool B
Scotland 45-10 Japan
At Kingsholm, Gloucester
Att: 14,354
Ref: John Lacey (Ireland).
Scotland: Try: Hardie, Bennett 2, Seymour, Russell Cons: Laidlaw 4 Pens: Laidlaw 4
Japan: Try: Mafi Con: Goromaru Pen: Goromaru
Japan have not repeated their giant-killing heroics.
Scotland ran in five second-half tries as they opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Japan at Kingsholm.
Greig Laidlaw's four successful penalties out of five gave the Scots a 12-7 advantage at half-time, Amanaki Mafi having crossed for Japan.
John Hardie and Mark Bennett touched down after the break and Tommy Seymour raced clear for the Scots' third try.
Bennett's second score secured a bonus point and Finn Russell celebrated his 23rd birthday by crossing late on.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Scotland 45-10 Japan
Latest
Pool A
Australia 25-6 Fiji (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Pool B
Scotland 45-10 Japan
At Kingsholm, Gloucester
Att: 14,354
Ref: John Lacey (Ireland).
Scotland: Try: Hardie, Bennett 2, Seymour, Russell Cons: Laidlaw 4 Pens: Laidlaw 4
Japan: Try: Mafi Con: Goromaru Pen: Goromaru
Japan have not repeated their giant-killing heroics.
Scotland ran in five second-half tries as they opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Japan at Kingsholm.
Greig Laidlaw's four successful penalties out of five gave the Scots a 12-7 advantage at half-time, Amanaki Mafi having crossed for Japan.
John Hardie and Mark Bennett touched down after the break and Tommy Seymour raced clear for the Scots' third try.
Bennett's second score secured a bonus point and Finn Russell celebrated his 23rd birthday by crossing late on.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Scotland 45-10 Japan
Latest
Pool A
Australia 25-6 Fiji (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Result
Pool A
Australia 28-13 Fiji
At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Att: 67,253
Australia: Tries: Pocock (2), Kepu Cons: Foley (2) Pens: Foley (3)
Fiji: Tries: Volavola Con: Nadolo Pens: Nadolo (2)
Australia made a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign as they failed to earn a bonus point in their win against Pool A rivals Fiji in Cardiff.
An even start saw Australia's Bernard Foley and Fiji's Nemani Nadolo trade penalties, before the Wallabies took control with two David Pocock tries.
Prop Sekope Kepu stepped over from close range to extend their lead after the restart, before Fiji fought back.
Ben Volavola reduced the gap, only for Foley's penalty to ease Aussie fears.
However, the Wallabies' inability to make their dominance count and score a fourth try to earn a bonus point means they are already a point behind England and Wales in a group containing four of the world's nine best teams.
Fiji enjoyed more possession than Australia
Pool A standings
.........................P.......W.......D.......L.......F.......A.......Bonus Pts.......Pts
Wales...............1........1.......0........0......54......9...............1................5
England............1........1.......0........0.....35......11.............1...............5
Australia...........1........1.......0........0.....28......13.............0...............4
Fiji......................2........0.......0.......2......24.......63.............0...............0
Uruguay............1........0.......0........1......9........54.............0..............0
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia 28-13 Fiji
Result
Pool D
France 38-11 Romania
At Olympic Stadium, London
Att: 50,626
France: Tries: Guitoune 2, Nyanga, Fofana, Fickou Cons: Parra 3, Kockott 2 Pen: Parra
Romania: Try: Radoi Pens: Vlaicu 2
Guitoune wrestled his way through to score France's third try of the evening
France overcame a wobbly first half-hour to beat Romania and continue their winning start in World Cup Pool D.
Showing 13 changes from the starting XV that beat Italy, France struggled for rhythm in the early stages and were level at 3-3 after 30 minutes.
But Sofiane Guitoune and Yannick Nyanga crossed to give them a 17-6 half-time advantage at the Olympic Stadium.
Guitoune, Wesley Fofana and Gael Fickou secured a bonus point, while Andrei Radoi scored a late consolation try.
The Oaks gave France a scare early on, with Morgan Parra's penalty cancelled out by Florin Vlaicu, who also came close to scoring the game's first try only to be held up on the line.
But Guitoune's touchdown, moments after Romania prop Paulica Ion was sent to the sin-bin, set the platform for a comfortable France victory.
France took control in the second period, after Romania had 52% of the possession before the break
Pool D standings
...........................P.......W.......D.......L.......F.......A.......Bonus Pts.......Pts
France...............2........2........0........0.....70......21..............1...............9
Ireland................1........1........0........0.....50.......7...............1..............5
Italy.....................1........0........0........1.....10......32..............0...............0
Romania............1........0........0........1......11.....38..............0...............0
Canada..............1........0........0........1.......7.....50...............0...............0
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: France 38-11 Romania
Today's fixtures:
Argentina vs Georgia (at Kingsholm; 16:45)
New Zealand vs Namibia (at Olympic Stadium; 20:00)
Pool A
Australia 28-13 Fiji
At the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Att: 67,253
Australia: Tries: Pocock (2), Kepu Cons: Foley (2) Pens: Foley (3)
Fiji: Tries: Volavola Con: Nadolo Pens: Nadolo (2)
Australia made a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign as they failed to earn a bonus point in their win against Pool A rivals Fiji in Cardiff.
An even start saw Australia's Bernard Foley and Fiji's Nemani Nadolo trade penalties, before the Wallabies took control with two David Pocock tries.
Prop Sekope Kepu stepped over from close range to extend their lead after the restart, before Fiji fought back.
Ben Volavola reduced the gap, only for Foley's penalty to ease Aussie fears.
However, the Wallabies' inability to make their dominance count and score a fourth try to earn a bonus point means they are already a point behind England and Wales in a group containing four of the world's nine best teams.
Fiji enjoyed more possession than Australia
Pool A standings
.........................P.......W.......D.......L.......F.......A.......Bonus Pts.......Pts
Wales...............1........1.......0........0......54......9...............1................5
England............1........1.......0........0.....35......11.............1...............5
Australia...........1........1.......0........0.....28......13.............0...............4
Fiji......................2........0.......0.......2......24.......63.............0...............0
Uruguay............1........0.......0........1......9........54.............0..............0
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia 28-13 Fiji
Result
Pool D
France 38-11 Romania
At Olympic Stadium, London
Att: 50,626
France: Tries: Guitoune 2, Nyanga, Fofana, Fickou Cons: Parra 3, Kockott 2 Pen: Parra
Romania: Try: Radoi Pens: Vlaicu 2
Guitoune wrestled his way through to score France's third try of the evening
France overcame a wobbly first half-hour to beat Romania and continue their winning start in World Cup Pool D.
Showing 13 changes from the starting XV that beat Italy, France struggled for rhythm in the early stages and were level at 3-3 after 30 minutes.
But Sofiane Guitoune and Yannick Nyanga crossed to give them a 17-6 half-time advantage at the Olympic Stadium.
Guitoune, Wesley Fofana and Gael Fickou secured a bonus point, while Andrei Radoi scored a late consolation try.
The Oaks gave France a scare early on, with Morgan Parra's penalty cancelled out by Florin Vlaicu, who also came close to scoring the game's first try only to be held up on the line.
But Guitoune's touchdown, moments after Romania prop Paulica Ion was sent to the sin-bin, set the platform for a comfortable France victory.
France took control in the second period, after Romania had 52% of the possession before the break
Pool D standings
...........................P.......W.......D.......L.......F.......A.......Bonus Pts.......Pts
France...............2........2........0........0.....70......21..............1...............9
Ireland................1........1........0........0.....50.......7...............1..............5
Italy.....................1........0........0........1.....10......32..............0...............0
Romania............1........0........0........1......11.....38..............0...............0
Canada..............1........0........0........1.......7.....50...............0...............0
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: France 38-11 Romania
Today's fixtures:
Argentina vs Georgia (at Kingsholm; 16:45)
New Zealand vs Namibia (at Olympic Stadium; 20:00)
Yesterday's result:
Pool C
Argentina 54-9 Georgia
Argentina: Try: Lavanini, Cubelli, Imhoff 2, Cordero 2, Landajo Cons: Sanchez 3, Bosch 2 Pens: Sanchez 2 Drop-goal: Sanchez
Georgia: Pens: Kvirikashvili 3
At Kingsholm, Gloucester
Att: 14,256
Argentina scored three tries in five second-half minutes to defeat Georgia at Kingsholm and claim their first win in Pool C of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Tomas Cubelli, Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero all crossed for the Pumas while Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze was in the sin-bin shortly after the break.
Tries from Martin Landajo, Cordero and Imhoff took the Pumas over 50 points.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Argentina 54-9 Georgia
Today's matches:
Pool D
Italy vs Canada
at Elland Road, Leeds
Stadium capacity: 38,000
Kick-off: 14:30BST
Italy have dropped prop Martin Castrogiovanni as one of four changes for the World Cup match with Canada. The former Leicester front row, who now plays for Racing Metro, is replaced by Lorenzo Cittadini for Saturday's game while Michele Rizzo comes in for Matias Aguero at tight-head.
Centres Gonzalo Garcia and Tommaso Benvenuti come in for the injured Andrea Masi and Michele Campagnaro.
Captain Tyler Ardron returns for Canada after missing the defeat by Ireland.
Head coach and former All Black Kieran Crowley makes five other changes, including calling up Jebb Sinclair to partner Jamie Cudmore in the second row.
Teams
Italy: Luke McLean; Leonardo Sarto, Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Garcia, Giovanbattista Venditti; Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), Lorenzo Cittadini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Josh Furno, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Samuela Vunisa.
Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matias Aguero, Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Fuser, Mauro Bergamasco, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Michele Campagnaro
Canada: Matt Evans; Phil Mackenzie, Ciaran Hearn, Connor Braid, DTH Van Der Merwe; Nathan Hirayama, Jamie Mackenzie; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Doug Wooldridge, Jebb Sinclair, Jamie Cudmore, Nanyak Dala, John Moonlight, Tyler Ardron (captain).
Replacements: Aaron Carpenter, Djustice Sears-Duru, Andrew Tiedemann, Evan Olmstead, Kyle Gilmour, Phil Mack, Conor Trainor, Harry Jones.
Match stats
Italy beat Canada 19-14 at the 2003 World Cup; the five-point margin was the narrowest victory Italy have recorded over Canada in their seven Tests against the Maple Leafs.
Defeat for Italy would be their third straight loss at the World Cup and their worst run of form at the tournament since losing four in a row between 1999 and 2003.
Canada conceded eight penalties in their opening-weekend defeat by Ireland, while Italy shipped 19 against France.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Martin Castrogiovanni left out by Italy
Pool B
South Africa vs Samoa
at Villa Park, Birmingham
Stadium capacity: 43,000
Kick-off: 16:45BST
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says captain Jean de Villiers is the right man for a World Cup game "the whole country depends on" against Samoa.
Centre De Villiers, 34, has won 109 caps and skippered the Springboks in the 34-32 defeat by Japan, a result Meyer apologised to his nation for.
"It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life," said Meyer, who has made eight changes to face Samoa.
Tusi Pisi is replaced by Mike Stanley at fly-half in Samoa's key alteration.
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Schalk Brits, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Labie, Jesse Kriel.
Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams; Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Rey Lee-Lo, Alesana Tuilagi; Mike Stanley, Kahn Fotuali'i; Sakaria Taulafo, Motu Matu'u, Anthony Perenise, Teofilo Paulo, Iosefa Tekori, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Ofisa Treviranus (captain)
Replacements: Ole Avei, Viliamu Afatia, Census Johnston, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Tusi Pisi, George Pisi.
Match stats
This will be the fifth World Cup Test between these nations; the Springboks have not faced any other side more often, although they have also played England four times.
The first three meetings between these teams at the World Cup saw an aggregate winning margin of 130 points for South Africa, but they defeated Samoa by just eight points in 2011.
The Springboks are enduring their worst calendar year in the professional era having lost four of five Test matches in 2015.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa stick with Jean de Villiers
Pool A
England vs Wales
at Twickenham, London
Stadium capacity: 82,000
Kick-off: 20:00BST
Much of the country is expected to come to a standstill tonight to watch this game between two huge rivals at the home of rugby union
England and Wales are to face each other in what is expected to be the most explosive contest of the World Cup so far, as both sides aim to bolster their quarter-final chances.
About 82,000 fans will descend on Twickenham for the 127th game in one of rugby's oldest rivalries.
England have won the last two meetings since being thrashed in Cardiff two years ago.
The loser will likely need to beat Australia to reach the knockout phase.
Both countries have begun their campaigns in Pool A with a victory, but this match is considered the biggest encounter in the early stages of the tournament.
England's win over Fiji in the tournament's opening match on Friday peaked at 9.4m UK viewers - the largest sport audience this year - and between 10m and 15m are expected to tune in for Saturday night's game.
"For us as a nation, this is the biggest game we've had for a long time against England," said Wales coach Warren Gatland, whose injury-hit side will be cheered on by about 20,000 visiting fans at Twickenham.
Counterpart Stuart Lancaster has described it as the biggest match of his coaching career, and admits that "if we lose I will be questioned".
His ultimate aim is to guide England a repeat of their 2003 success when Jonny Wilkinson's dramatic drop-goal saw them become champions for the only time.
England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Alex Goode.
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins, Scott Baldwin, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Alex Cuthbert.
Match stats
England are aiming for three straight victories over Wales for the first time since 2011.
England have lost two of their past five Tests at Twickenham against Wales but prior to that won 10 in a row against Wales there.
In their last three defeats against Wales (2011-2013), England failed to score a try. However, England have failed to score a try just once in their past 15 Tests.
Wales have scored a try in each of their past 17 World Cup games - only New Zealand (20) have recorded a longer run.
BBC Sport - England v Wales: Rivals set for Rugby World Cup crunch match
Pool C
Argentina 54-9 Georgia
Argentina: Try: Lavanini, Cubelli, Imhoff 2, Cordero 2, Landajo Cons: Sanchez 3, Bosch 2 Pens: Sanchez 2 Drop-goal: Sanchez
Georgia: Pens: Kvirikashvili 3
At Kingsholm, Gloucester
Att: 14,256
Argentina scored three tries in five second-half minutes to defeat Georgia at Kingsholm and claim their first win in Pool C of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Tomas Cubelli, Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero all crossed for the Pumas while Georgia captain Mamuka Gorgodze was in the sin-bin shortly after the break.
Tries from Martin Landajo, Cordero and Imhoff took the Pumas over 50 points.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Argentina 54-9 Georgia
Today's matches:
Pool D
Italy vs Canada
at Elland Road, Leeds
Stadium capacity: 38,000
Kick-off: 14:30BST
Italy have dropped prop Martin Castrogiovanni as one of four changes for the World Cup match with Canada. The former Leicester front row, who now plays for Racing Metro, is replaced by Lorenzo Cittadini for Saturday's game while Michele Rizzo comes in for Matias Aguero at tight-head.
Centres Gonzalo Garcia and Tommaso Benvenuti come in for the injured Andrea Masi and Michele Campagnaro.
Captain Tyler Ardron returns for Canada after missing the defeat by Ireland.
Head coach and former All Black Kieran Crowley makes five other changes, including calling up Jebb Sinclair to partner Jamie Cudmore in the second row.
Teams
Italy: Luke McLean; Leonardo Sarto, Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Garcia, Giovanbattista Venditti; Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), Lorenzo Cittadini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Josh Furno, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Samuela Vunisa.
Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matias Aguero, Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Fuser, Mauro Bergamasco, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Michele Campagnaro
Canada: Matt Evans; Phil Mackenzie, Ciaran Hearn, Connor Braid, DTH Van Der Merwe; Nathan Hirayama, Jamie Mackenzie; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Doug Wooldridge, Jebb Sinclair, Jamie Cudmore, Nanyak Dala, John Moonlight, Tyler Ardron (captain).
Replacements: Aaron Carpenter, Djustice Sears-Duru, Andrew Tiedemann, Evan Olmstead, Kyle Gilmour, Phil Mack, Conor Trainor, Harry Jones.
Match stats
Italy beat Canada 19-14 at the 2003 World Cup; the five-point margin was the narrowest victory Italy have recorded over Canada in their seven Tests against the Maple Leafs.
Defeat for Italy would be their third straight loss at the World Cup and their worst run of form at the tournament since losing four in a row between 1999 and 2003.
Canada conceded eight penalties in their opening-weekend defeat by Ireland, while Italy shipped 19 against France.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: Martin Castrogiovanni left out by Italy
Pool B
South Africa vs Samoa
at Villa Park, Birmingham
Stadium capacity: 43,000
Kick-off: 16:45BST
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says captain Jean de Villiers is the right man for a World Cup game "the whole country depends on" against Samoa.
Centre De Villiers, 34, has won 109 caps and skippered the Springboks in the 34-32 defeat by Japan, a result Meyer apologised to his nation for.
"It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life," said Meyer, who has made eight changes to face Samoa.
Tusi Pisi is replaced by Mike Stanley at fly-half in Samoa's key alteration.
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Schalk Brits, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Labie, Jesse Kriel.
Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams; Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Rey Lee-Lo, Alesana Tuilagi; Mike Stanley, Kahn Fotuali'i; Sakaria Taulafo, Motu Matu'u, Anthony Perenise, Teofilo Paulo, Iosefa Tekori, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam, Ofisa Treviranus (captain)
Replacements: Ole Avei, Viliamu Afatia, Census Johnston, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Tusi Pisi, George Pisi.
Match stats
This will be the fifth World Cup Test between these nations; the Springboks have not faced any other side more often, although they have also played England four times.
The first three meetings between these teams at the World Cup saw an aggregate winning margin of 130 points for South Africa, but they defeated Samoa by just eight points in 2011.
The Springboks are enduring their worst calendar year in the professional era having lost four of five Test matches in 2015.
BBC Sport - Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa stick with Jean de Villiers
Pool A
England vs Wales
at Twickenham, London
Stadium capacity: 82,000
Kick-off: 20:00BST
Much of the country is expected to come to a standstill tonight to watch this game between two huge rivals at the home of rugby union
England and Wales are to face each other in what is expected to be the most explosive contest of the World Cup so far, as both sides aim to bolster their quarter-final chances.
About 82,000 fans will descend on Twickenham for the 127th game in one of rugby's oldest rivalries.
England have won the last two meetings since being thrashed in Cardiff two years ago.
The loser will likely need to beat Australia to reach the knockout phase.
Both countries have begun their campaigns in Pool A with a victory, but this match is considered the biggest encounter in the early stages of the tournament.
England's win over Fiji in the tournament's opening match on Friday peaked at 9.4m UK viewers - the largest sport audience this year - and between 10m and 15m are expected to tune in for Saturday night's game.
"For us as a nation, this is the biggest game we've had for a long time against England," said Wales coach Warren Gatland, whose injury-hit side will be cheered on by about 20,000 visiting fans at Twickenham.
Counterpart Stuart Lancaster has described it as the biggest match of his coaching career, and admits that "if we lose I will be questioned".
His ultimate aim is to guide England a repeat of their 2003 success when Jonny Wilkinson's dramatic drop-goal saw them become champions for the only time.
England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury, James Haskell, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Alex Goode.
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gethin Jenkins, Scott Baldwin, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Alex Cuthbert.
Match stats
England are aiming for three straight victories over Wales for the first time since 2011.
England have lost two of their past five Tests at Twickenham against Wales but prior to that won 10 in a row against Wales there.
In their last three defeats against Wales (2011-2013), England failed to score a try. However, England have failed to score a try just once in their past 15 Tests.
Wales have scored a try in each of their past 17 World Cup games - only New Zealand (20) have recorded a longer run.
BBC Sport - England v Wales: Rivals set for Rugby World Cup crunch match
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Italy 23 Canada 18. Much of this game was played in the Italian half. I've followed Canada all year and they have consistently lost games to top tier teams by a try or less. They are just having real problems finishing in their opponents 22 m zone. They're not out of the playoffs for sure yet.. but there is some vital component missing in their offense.
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Just watched the England/ Wales match down at our local Crusaders club with my son.
YES!!! WALES!!! CYMRU!!!
They kicked their way to victory!
The English are crying in their beer, tonight!
Kicking Anglish arses
YES!!! WALES!!! CYMRU!!!
They kicked their way to victory!
The English are crying in their beer, tonight!
Kicking Anglish arses
The better team lost.
I'd rather lose against any other team - even the Aussies - than to the arrogant, insufferable, bigoted Taffs with their inferiority complex with their much superior neighbours (the English). We're never going to hear the end of it now. An awful lot of sheep in the rainy, gloomy Valleys would have woken up this morning with sore and inflamed anuses after last night's celebrations.
The thing about the Welsh - and also their aesthetically displeasing "Celtic" cousins the Scots and Irish - is that in rugby and football they only ever raise their game against "the English". Beating anyone else doesn't matter. It's just "the English" they want to beat and is why they have been less successful in these sports than the English, who raise their game and try to beat everybody they play rather than just one particular nation. It's pathetic. As a result, it wouldn't surprise me if thieving, livestock-fornicating Taffy, having accomplished his task (just) of beating "the English", therefore takes his foot off the gas and loses his remaining games in the group against Uruguay and Australia whilst England wins them both. Let's see chippy taffy's reaction when England still manage to proceed further in this tournament than he does.
Remember, Taffy, beating "the English" - the only nation in the whole of the Northern Hemisphere to have won this tournament - does not equate to winning this tournament. Unless you go on to win this tournament, you'll still have have never achieved something "the English" have - winning the Rugby World Cup.
COME ON ENGLAND!
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home
I'd rather lose against any other team - even the Aussies - than to the arrogant, insufferable, bigoted Taffs with their inferiority complex with their much superior neighbours (the English). We're never going to hear the end of it now. An awful lot of sheep in the rainy, gloomy Valleys would have woken up this morning with sore and inflamed anuses after last night's celebrations.
The thing about the Welsh - and also their aesthetically displeasing "Celtic" cousins the Scots and Irish - is that in rugby and football they only ever raise their game against "the English". Beating anyone else doesn't matter. It's just "the English" they want to beat and is why they have been less successful in these sports than the English, who raise their game and try to beat everybody they play rather than just one particular nation. It's pathetic. As a result, it wouldn't surprise me if thieving, livestock-fornicating Taffy, having accomplished his task (just) of beating "the English", therefore takes his foot off the gas and loses his remaining games in the group against Uruguay and Australia whilst England wins them both. Let's see chippy taffy's reaction when England still manage to proceed further in this tournament than he does.
Remember, Taffy, beating "the English" - the only nation in the whole of the Northern Hemisphere to have won this tournament - does not equate to winning this tournament. Unless you go on to win this tournament, you'll still have have never achieved something "the English" have - winning the Rugby World Cup.
COME ON ENGLAND!
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home
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Arrogance? You started it, matey.
But therein lies the eternal hypocrisy.
Whereas this is seen as a "proud people who love their nation".....
..... and this is similarly seen as a "bunch of patriots showing how much they love their nation" (even whilst littering one of the world's greatest monuments with empty cans of Tennents Super and bottles of Buckfast, which is seen merely as those "mischievous, rascally but fun-loving Scots" yet seen as "English hooligans" had it been the English who did it).....
..... these are seen as "bigoted, racist 'Little Englanders' showing staggering Kraut arrogance who probably support BNP and EDL":
By the way, if you want to see arrogance you only have to read the disgraceful anti-English bile that we've had to endure for the last few days by Welsh sports columnists who, for reasons I haven't yet ascertained, were given a platform for their anti-English bigotry in ENGLISH newspapers like The Telegraph. So English readers of this paper - i.e. the vast majority of the paper's readers - have had to endure anti-English bigotry by Welsh columnists. They'd never have been allowed to write these things had they been English wanting to write such things about the Welsh, or had they been anybody wanted to write such things about black people or Muslims. But writing such things about the English? That's okay, apparently.
Earlier this year, in the run-up to the Wales vs England match at the Millennium Stadium in the Six Nations, a certain Welsh columnist in the The Telegraph wrote that "English rugby is overconfident and only the deluded could fancy them to win their Six Nations opener in Cardiff" before going on a racist anti-English diatribe - Sir Clive Woodward's 'roof' comments are typical of arrogant English rugby - and it is lunacy to expect them to beat Wales - Telegraph. The result of that match? Wales 16-21 England. Funnily enough, the Welsh person who was REALLY the one suffering overconfidence was strangely silent after that. But, not surprisingly, The Telegraph (an English newspaper, remember) wheeled him out again a few days ago in the lead up to yesterday's match and allowed him to go on another anti-English rant (again, would they allow anyone to rant against blacks or Muslims?). So, now that Wales have won this time, he'll be pretty pleased with himself and probably won't care if Wales lose against Uruguay and Australia now that his team have beaten "the English."
So most of the arrogance and bigotry leading up to this match was from the Welsh. But the English could still have the last laugh. We're still more than capable of going all the way and winning this tournament for the second time, but I can't see Wales winning the tournament. England are the only Northern hemisphere team, again, who I think has any chance of winning the Rugby World Cup. Let's see the reaction of the Welsh should we lift that trophy on 31st October.
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No wonder there are separatist movements all over UK. They can't get far enough away from you guys.
Unless they somehow acquire giant circular saws and saw themselves off along the English border and then sail their lands to a more agreeable location, they're going to have to get used to living next door to the English.
Not that they'd want to saw themselves away from the English, however. Doing such a thing would mean they would no longer be subsidised by the generous English taxpayer. That's why the Scots voted against independence a year ago. They know they'd never hack it alone without English money.
Expect that is will happen, sometime in this century. The UK is destined to be just another cluster of ethnic enclaves in a united Europe.
Nah. Not when polls are increasingly showing that the British people could well vote to leave the EU in the upcoming in/out referendum.
But if the Jocks, Taffs and Northern Paddies wish to secede and remain within the EU and be ruled by the Germans, that's fine by them. That's not freedom and independence. The free and independent English, outside the EU and free from its undemocratic meddling, will be the ones laughing (not having to keep subisiding the Jocks, Taffies and Northern Paddies and the rest of the EU any longer) whilst the Jocks, Taffs and Northern Paddies get forced to join the euro against their will and are constantly outvoted in the EU parliament by much bigger members - like Sweden!
Name one alternative.
You are Europeans. You are part of Europe. You have nowhere else to go.
Saying that because we are in Europe means we have to be in the EU is like saying that because we are in Europe we need to be in the USSR.
There is no other alternative open to you. No other trading block in the World is interested in carrying a post industrial country that is in economic, cultural and ethnic decay. Your chief export is dodgy hedge funds. Most of your economy now consists of doing each other's laundry. You are the Greece of the 22nd century.
Who says that Britain has to be a member of a trading bloc? As for the EU, it is no longer a mere trading. It is a political entity that has aspirations of being a state in its own right. It already has its own flag, national anthem, currency and (unelected) president. And I don't want Britain to be a part of it. Britain - whose economy, far from being in decline, has just overtaken France as the fifth-largest in the world and will soon overtake Germany, a country which really is declining, as the largest in Europe - should be a thriving, wealthy, independent nation state making its own laws rather than having them made by foreigners in Belgium (or France at certain parts of the year just to suit French egos).