Slade Named to Start for England Against Springboks

With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso recovering in the HIA process, Henry Slade is the lone Exeter Chief in the England starting line-up this weekend.

England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team to play South Africa at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 16 November (kick-off 5.40pm, live on TNT Sports).

There are four changes to the starting XV that was narrowly beaten by Australia last weekend, with Ollie Sleightholme, Jack van Poortvliet, Freddie Steward, and Sam Underhill all coming into the team.

Jamie George will captain England, once again supported by four vice-captains: Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, and George Ford.

In the front row, George starts at hooker, with Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead. In the second row, Itoje is paired with George Martin. The back row features Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside, Underhill at openside, and Earl at No. 8.

In the half-back positions, scrum-half van Poortvliet partners Marcus Smith at 10. The midfield sees Henry Slade named at inside centre with Ollie Lawrence at 13 for the second consecutive game.

In the back three, Tommy Freeman shifts to the right wing, Sleightholme takes the left and Steward selected at full-back to round off the starting lineup.

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.

“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:

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)