Saffa to battle Boks for re-jigged England

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SA-born lock David Ribbans will play off the bench against the Springboks as Eddie Jones tweaked the England lineup for the much-anticipated clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

The experienced pair of prop Mako Vunipola and hooker Jamie George have replaced Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie in the starting XV, with England anticipating a huge challenge up front from the notoriously physical world champion Boks.

Vunipola and George are among four changes to the run-on side, both of whom impressed against the All Blacks last week off a bench that included Ribbans as England staged a remarkable rally to come from 19 points behind late on in a 25-25 draw.

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Tommy Freeman has been selected for his first appearance since the tour of Australia in July, replacing Jack Nowell on the wing, while Alex Coles takes over from Sam Simmonds at blindside flanker.

England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Alex Coles, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jack Nowell.

BOK TEAM: Roos gets start, De Allende fit

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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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Devin Hermanus