Four changes to England side set to face Springboks
11/14/2024 08:49 AM
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Fullback Freddie Steward and scrumhalf Jack Van Poortvliet got the nod to start against South Africa as England coach Steve Borthwick announced his side.
Borthwick made four changes to the England team that narrowly lost to Australia last weekend.
Ollie Sleightholme, Van Poortvliet, Steward, and Sam Underhill all come into the team.
Jamie George will captain England, once again supported by four vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, and George Ford.
In the front row, George starts at hooker, with Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead. In the second row, Itoje is paired with George Martin. The back row features Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside, Underhill at openside, and Earl at No. 8.
Van Poortvliet partners with Marcus Smith at Nr. 10 and the midfield sees Henry Slade named at inside centre with Ollie Lawrence at No. 13 for the second consecutive game.
In the back three, Tommy Freeman shifts to the right wing, Sleightholme takes the left and Steward is selected at fullback to round off the starting lineup.
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Wing Tom Roebuck is included among the replacements for the first time this autumn, alongside Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, and George Ford.
"We're excited to challenge ourselves against the world's top-ranked team and back-to-back World Cup champions," said Borthwick.
"Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I'm sure Saturday will be no exception."
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt; 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Tom Roebuck
Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 17.40 GMT (19.40 SA time)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
