Autumn Internationals Preview 2021

Having clinched the Autumn Nations Cup in a finale against France, England’s rugby team gave the nation something to cheer about after what has been a tough year for everyone.

When England do battle with Australia and South Africa in the 2021 Autumn Internationals at Twickenham, demand is expected to be higher than ever. Certainly, the return of fans to the Home of England Rugby is sure to provide an electrifying atmosphere.

There will be no shortage of rugby talent on show, with England first taking on Dave Rennie’s new-look Australia side on Saturday 13 November* before facing-off against the world champion Springboks a week later.

In this article we will take a look at each of these games, previewing the key points that fans can look forward to when next year’s Autumn Internationals roll around.

Let’s get started with a look at England’s first game against fierce rivals Australia.

England v Australia - Autumn Internationals - Twickenham - Saturday 13 November 2021*

Since appointing Dave Rennie as head coach back in late 2019, the Wallabies have endured a mixed run of form. Things started out poorly for Rennie with a draw and two losses from his first three games. Although each of these results came against an extremely strong All Blacks side, Rennie and his team offered up no excuses. 

Finally, in his fourth game in charge, yet again against the might of New Zealand, the Wallabies were triumphant in a hard-fought 24-22 victory at Brisbane’s Lang Park. Since then Australia are unbeaten, earning two tough draws against Argentina in their remaining Tri Nations Games. 

Currently ranked sixth in the world, by the time they come up against England in the Autumn Internationals next year, Australia will hope to have developed even further. Having shown a tendency toward a possession-based, aggressive game in their first six outings, Rennie and his Wallabies side will look to hone this style over the next eleven months.

England v South Africa - Autumn Internationals - Twickenham - Saturday 20 November 2021*

This fixture has all the makings of a real classic. The world’s two top-ranked sides are set to do battle in the second Autumn Internationals game at Twickenham in 2021 as England take on the mighty Springboks. This will be the first time the sides have met since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, when South Africa ran out comfortable 32-12 winners.

Since then, South Africa have not played a single test match after dropping out of the Tri Nations tournament due to concerns over COVID-19. That said, the Springboks are set to host the British & Irish Lions next summer, meaning they should be firing on all cylinders come autumn. 

Far and away the world’s top-ranked international rugby side, the Springboks are certain to provide fireworks in this November 2021 clash with England at Twickenham.

*Dates provisional and subject to change

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