Staff Reporter.
England have made four changes for South Africa on Saturday with Freddie Steward, Ollie Sleightholme, Jack van Poortvliet and Sam Underhill all starting.
England head into Saturday’s match against the Springboks under pressure after losing both of their Autumn Nations Series Tests in the final throes.
They fell 24-22 to the All Blacks after George Ford’s last-gasp penalty and drop-goal failed to find the target, and then shipped an 83rd-minute try against Australia last Saturday.
Sleightholme makes his first England start on the wing in place of the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, while Underhill comes in for Tom Curry, who is also missing with concussion.
Sleightholme is rewarded with a maiden Test start after scoring his first international tries in the defeat by Australia, as Tom Roebuck is named on the bench.
England last tasted victory in June against Japan, who they face in their final Autumn Nations Series game on 24 November.
The hosts will be looking to avenge their 16-15 defeat by South Africa in their last meeting in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
“We’re excited to challenge ourselves against the world’s top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions,” England boss Steve Borthwick said. “Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I’m sure Saturday will be no exception.”
England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Roebuck.
South Africa: Fassi; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Loux, Etzebeth, Snyman, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Louw, Smith, Reinach, Pollard, Am.