England have unveiled their team to face the Springboks on Saturday. Photo: @EnglandRugby/Twitter
England coach Eddie Jones has made some interesting team selections for this Saturday’s Test against the Springboks.
England have unveiled their team to face the Springboks on Saturday. Photo: @EnglandRugby/Twitter
England will host the Springboks at Twickenham Stadium in the final Autumn Nations Series game for both teams on Saturday 26 November (7.30pm kick off SA time).
On Tuesday, England coach Eddie Jones unveiled the team to face the Springboks, with Manu Tuilagi set to make his 50th appearance for England at outside centre, having made his debut for England against Wales in August 2011. Owen Farrell will again captain the side at inside centre.
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Marcus Smith is at flyhalf and Jack van Poortvliet remains at scrumhalf despite a horror performance against the All Blacks last weekend. Tommy Freeman comes in at right wing, Jonny May is at left wing and Freddie Steward is fullback.
Jamie George (hooker) and Mako Vunipola join fellow prop Kyle Sinckler in two changes to the starting front row. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill stay at lock. Alex Coles comes in at flanker with Tom Curry, while Billy Vunipola is No 8.
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Last weekend’s double-try scorer Will Stuart is named as a substitute along with Luke Cowan-Dickie, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade and vice-captains Ellis Genge and Jack Nowell.
“This is our last game of the autumn and our chance to continue building on the improvements we have made throughout the matches,” said Jones. “We have made steady progress from game-to-game, culminating in a pulsating draw against New Zealand.
“Now we have the chance to test ourselves against the might of the world champions. We’re going out there to light the crowd up. The support at Twickenham was outstanding last week and we want to work hard on the pitch to make sure we have another atmosphere like that again on Saturday.”
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Played 44; Won 26; Lost 16; Drawn 2; Points for: 945, Points against: 756; Tries scored 86, Tries conceded 57; Highest score 58-10; Biggest win 48 points. Win % 59%.
Milestones:
Miscellaneous:
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Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Canan Moodie.