The England front row of Ellis Genge (prop), who is named as a vice-captain, Jamie George (hooker), who will once again captain the England side, and Will Stuart (prop) remains unchanged from England’s narrow loss to Australia last weekend.
Maro Itoje and George Martin will form the unchanged second row, with Itoje named as another of England’s vice-captains. There is one change in the back row, with Sam Underhill replacing the injured Tom Curry, who suffered a nasty head injury against Australia. Underhill starts at openside flanker, while Chandler Cunningham-South (blindside flanker) and Ben Earl (No. 8), another of England’s vice-captains, complete the back row.
At half-back, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet comes into the side for the first time in the Autumn Nations Series and is set to partner Marcus Smith at fly-half.
In the midfield, Henry Slade slots in at inside centre, while Ollie Lawrence retains the No. 13 jersey for the second match in a row.
In the back three, Tommy Freeman moves to the right wing, with Ollie Sleightholme starting on the left, replacing the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Freddie Steward has been called into the match-day squad for the first time this series and will line up at full-back to complete the starting XV.
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, who is set to win his 99th England cap this weekend.
“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.”
ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday 16 November 2024
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 5.40pm (GMT)
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)
