South Africa vs Samoa RWC 2015: What times does it start and where can I watch it

A look ahead to the Pool B fixture at Villa Park

South Africa react after suffering defeat to Japan (Getty Images)

This clash might just be the game which will decide who will top Pool B, as South Africa cannot afford a second straight loss.

It’s a big game for…

The entire South African team: A loss against Argentina in the Rugby Championship is marginally acceptable, even if it was at home. Losing to Japan is another story entirely and the Springboks, particularly those who played last weekend, will be determined to not be part of the first South African side to not exit the pool.

Teams...

South Africa: Willie Le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jean De Villiers, 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, Tendal Mtawarira.

Replacements: Schalk Brits, Trevour Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Lodeqyk De Jager, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Pienaar, Patrick Lambie, Jessie Kriel.

Samoa: Tim Nanai Williams; Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Reynold Lee-lo, Alesana Tuilagi; Michael Stanley, Kahn Fotuali’I; Ofisa Trevianus, Jack Lam, TJ Ioane, Iosefa Tekori, Filo Paulo; Census Johnston, Motu Matu’u, Sakaria Taulafo.

Replacements: Wayne Ole Avei, Vilaimu Afatia, Anthony Perenise, Faifili Levave, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Tusi Pisi, George Pisi.

Weird stat…

4/8. Half the clashes between these two sides has come in the World Cup, starting in 1995. The last three World Cups have seen these two sides collide in the pool stages, and the first meeting was in the quarter finals. Not one of those matches have happened in Samoa.

Remember when…

Habana dived for the line? In the 2011 World Cup contest, South Africa opened the scoring accounts with an excellently worked try from a line out. The ball goes back and forth across the field, until Habana received a poor pass and dived for the line.

Player to watch…

Tim Nanai-Williams: The Samoan full-back is on outstanding form. His power and agility saw him cross the line against the USA and his versatility led him to scoring against the All Blacks. An interesting playing history has seen him play for both Samoa and New Zealand as a 7’s player before switching to the Chiefs and declaring his allegiance for Samoa.

Tim Nanai-Williams scores a try for Samoa against USA (Getty Images)

Past three-meetings…

South Africa 56 (Habana (2), Louw (2), Engelbrecht, Basson, Steyn, Nyakane) Samoa 23 (TAM Paulo, Poluleuligaga), International Test, June 201.

South Africa 13 (Habana) Samoa 5 (Stowers), 2011 Rugby World Cup, September 2011

South Africa 59 (Habana (4), Montgomery (2), Fourie, Pietersen) Samoa 7 (Williams), 2007 Rugby World Cup, September 2007.

Form guide…

South Africa: WLLLWL

Samoa: LWDWLW

Vital information…

Kick-off: Saturday 26. 16.45

TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV