England drop Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie as they…

England drop Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie as they announce team for South Africa clash

Eddie Jones has dropped Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie to the bench for England’s clash with world champions South Africa on Saturday.

The front row duo are replaced in the starting line-up by Mako Vunipola and Jamie George, who is still recovering from two broken bones in his foot. Northampton’s Tommy Freeman comes in on the right wing in place of Jack Nowell to win only his third cap, with Alex Coles replacing Sam Simmonds at blindside.

England have won only five of 12 matches played this year and are desperate to pick up from where they left off in the last 10 minutes against New Zealand last weekend.

“This is our last game of the autumn and our chance to continue building on the improvements we have made throughout the matches,” said Jones.

“We have made steady progress from game-to-game, culminating in a pulsating draw against New Zealand. Now we have the chance to test ourselves against the might of the world champions.

“We’re going out there to light the crowd up. The support at Twickenham was outstanding last week and we want to work hard on the pitch to make sure we have another atmosphere like that again on Saturday.”

England will hope to pick up where they left off after their fightback sealed a draw against New Zealand (David Rogers/Getty Images)

England sought to light the crowd up against the All Blacks but only started the process once they had fallen 25-6 behind.

They will hope the occasion of Manu Tuilagi’s 50th cap will proved much needed inspiration.

South Africa easily won the 2019 World Cup final between the sides but England gained a measure of revenge last year with Marcus Smith kicking them to a narrow victory.

ENGLAND XV

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)

14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

13. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 49 caps)

12. Owen Farrell (C) (Saracens, 100 caps)

11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 71 caps)

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 16 caps)

9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 73 caps)

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 71 caps)

3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 61 caps)