South Africa vs USA preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Pool B fixture at the Olympic Stadium

Jesse Kriel in action for South Africa against Scotland (Getty Images)

The United States will want to take down one of the southern hemisphere big three, while the Springboks will want to confirm their place as Pool B champions

It’s a big game for…

Samu Manoa: The second-row is starting as captain for the Americans. With the USA out of the running for the knockout phases, he will be wanting to show off his abilities against some of the best in the world.

Teams...

South Africa: Willie Le Roux; Bryan Habana, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Lwazi Mvovo; Handre Pollard, Fourie Du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lodewyk De Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck Du Plessis, Tendai Mtwarira.

Replacements: Schalk Bits, Trevor Nkane, Coenie Oosuizen, Pieter Steph Du Toit, Millem Albert, Rudy Paige, Morne Steyn, Jan Serfonein.

USA: Blaine Scully; Brett Thompson, Folau Niua, Andrew Suniula, Zachary Test; Shalom Suniula, Niku Kruger; Samu Manoa, John Quill, Danny Barrett; Matt Trouville, Louis Stanfill; Chris Baumann, Phil Thiel, Olive Kilifi.

Replacements: Joe Taufetee, Zach Fenoglio, Mate Moeakioa, Titi Lamositele, Cameron Dolan, Alastair McFarland, Mike Petri, Chris Wyles.

Weird stat…

30: This is the lowest recorded crowd to an international rugby match. Following a series of anti-apartheid protests, the match took place in secret in Glendale, New York.

Remember when…

Ngwenya outpaced Habana? In 2007, the headlines chose to ignore the greatest points difference between the two sides in favour of the unknown Ngwenya sprinting around Habana to score.

Player to watch…

Byran Habana. The Toulon based winger is on the verge of a record. Two tries will see him overtake Doug Howlett as the second highest try scorer in World Cup history, with a hat-trick levelling the record set by legendary Jonah Lomu.

Past three-meetings…

South Africa 64 (Burger, Steyn, Habana (2), van der Linde, du Preez, Fourie (2), Smith) USA 15 (Ngwenya, Wyles). World Cup Pool A fixture September 2007.

USA 20 (MacDonald) South Africa 43 (Hall, Jantjes (2), Rossouw, van Biljon, Vos) End of year internationals December 2001.

USA 7 - South Africa 38 Summer internationals September 1981

Form guide…

South Africa: LLWLWW

USA: LWWLLL

Vital information…

Kick-off: 16.45 Wednesday 7th October.

TV: Live on ITV/ITV4, highlights on ITV/ITV4