Owen Farrell’s COVID and injury woes continue this November as he missed today with an ankle injury. This means Courtney Laws takes over as captain, Marcus Smith remains on stand-off, Manu Tuilagi is back in the center and Harlequin’s Joe Merchant is in the wing.
At the forward, last week’s trying sub Jamie Blamire started in place of Crooked Jamie George. Nick Dolly is the prostitute on the bench.
South Africa brought back Hendre Pollard in ten shirts, partnered Kobus Reinach, and Lude de Jagger started on lock.
England: Freddy Steward; Joe Merchant, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Johnny May; Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Bevan Rode, Jamie Blamire, Kyle Sinkler, Maro Etoje, Johnny Hill, Courtney Lodge (c), Sam Underhill, Tom Curry.
Replacement: Nick Dolly, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewells, Sam Simmonds, Alex Dombrandt, Rafi Quirke, Max Malins.
South Africa: Willie Le Roux; Jesse Creel, Lukhanyo M, Damien D’Allende, Makazol Mpimpi; Hendre Pollard, Kobus Reinach; Ox Nache, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyken, Eben Atzebeth, Lude de Jagger, Sia Kolissi (c), Kwagga Smith, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacement: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitschoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostart, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantzie, Elton Jantzie, Frans Stein.
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