Freddie Steward has been recalled to the England side to face South Africa with Steve Borthwick making four changes to his side to face the back-to-back world champions.
In a move predicted by the Springboks head coach, Rassie Erasmus, Steward comes back into the side for the first time this autumn with George Furbank dropping out of the match-day 23.
Elsewhere, Ben Spencer has paid the price for England’s consecutive defeats by New Zealand and Australia with Jack van Poortvliet getting the nod at scrum-half. In two injury-enforced changes, Sam Underhill and Ollie Sleightholme come in for Tom Curry and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso respectively.
Steward last appeared for England in the second Test defeat by New Zealand over the summer but at 6ft 5in he provides an aerial prowess that could prove significant against South Africa. England have made clear this week that the clampdown on “escorts” is having a profound effect on matches this autumn and Steward is accomplished under the high ball.
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Spencer, meanwhile, drops out of the match-day squad altogether. Van Poortvliet comes in for his first appearance for England since sustaining a serious ankle injury in the buildup to the World Cup last year. Harry Randall keeps his place on the bench.
Underhill’s promotion to the starting lineup comes due to Curry’s head injury sustained against Australia. The Bath flanker started nine consecutive Tests before he was dropped for England’s autumn opener against the All Blacks and Borthwick has resisted any temptation to start Ben Curry, who came off the bench against New Zealand, or Alex Dombrandt who remains among the replacements. Sleightholme, meanwhile, makes his first England start after scoring two tries off the bench against the Wallabies last weekend.
Jamie George continues to captain the side from hooker with Ellis Genge and Will Stuart again the starting props. Maro Itoje and George Martin continue at lock with Chandler Cunningham-South and Ben Earl once more in the back row. Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence continue in the centres with Tommy Freeman keeping his place on the wing and Marcus Smith at fly-half. On the bench, Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, George Ford and Tom Roebuck join Dombrandt and Randall among the replacements.
“We’re excited to challenge ourselves against the world’s top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions,” said Borthwick. “Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I’m sure Saturday will be no exception.”
