Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme have both been named in Steve Borthwick’s starting line-up as England face South Africa on Saturday (16 November, kick-off: 5.40pm).
Sleightholme – who scored twice in England’s 37-42 loss to Australia last weekend – is one of four changes for England as he shifts into the starting XV to make his first international start in the third round of the Autumn Nations Series.
There he will partner Northampton Saints teammate Freeman on the wings and earn his fourth cap to date, while Freeman makes his 14th appearance in the white shirt of England against the Springboks.
“We're excited to challenge ourselves against the world's top-ranked team and back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions,” said head coach Borthwick.
“Test matches against South Africa are always thrilling contests, and I'm sure Saturday will be no exception.”
ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE SOUTH AFRICA
15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)
12 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 67 caps)
11 Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 37 caps)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 64 caps) – vice-captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 95 caps) – captain
3 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 86 caps) – vice-captain
5 George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
6 Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 9 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 35 caps) – vice-captain
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 42 caps)
17 Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 4 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 117 caps)
19 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 13 caps)
20 Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 19 caps)
21 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 9 caps)
22 George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps) – vice captain
23 Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
