Danny Cipriani fails to make England bench as Brad Shields prepares for debut against South Africa

BRAD SHIELDS will make his England debut in South Africa after being picked on the bench for the First Test but Danny Cipriani fails to make the side.

The controversial Kiwi pick, who qualifies through his English parents, only met his new teammates on Monday after flying in from New Zealand.

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And he might even have to cover the second-row as boss Eddie Jones has picked NO recognised locks on the bench.

There is no place in the squad for one of the Premiership’s stand-out performers, Cipriani.

Instead Jones has picked Piers Francis as his play-maker cover, with Ben Spencer the no.9 and Denny Solomona the wing replacement.

As expected, Nick Isiekwe comes in for the injured Joe Launchbury in the second row and Kyle Sinckler gets the nod at tighthead.

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Henry Slade will start at outside centre, with Mike Brown on the left wing and Elliot Daly at full-back.

Jones said: “We have had a really good week in preparation for this weekend and we are pleased with the way the squad has come together.

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“Owen Farrell has settled in well to his new role, with the senior players supporting him, and there is a good feeling within the camp. We want to do something special on this tour and the players are all incredibly excited about this challenge and opportunity we have.

“Ellis Park is the spiritual homeland of South African rugby and the Springboks play to another level on that ground, so we know we have to raise our game physically early on and be enormously accurate in the way we play.”

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Wasps full-back Willie Le Roux and Sale Sharks scrum-half Faf de Klerk both start for the Boks who have handed three uncapped players their debuts – S’busiso Nkosi, Aphiwe Dyantyi and RG Snyman.

Boss Rassie Erasmus said: “England are a top-class, quality side and they will do doubt be very determined to be successful in this series, and with us desperate for success as well it means that the supporters can expect a really good Test match Saturday.

“We have prepared as well as we could and the players are looking forward to playing in front of our passionate supporters in Johannesburg.

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“We have some good experienced players while there are some really exciting young men who have earned their opportunity to play for the Springboks.

“I am especially pleased for the three newcomers, Aphiwe, Sbu and RG, and I am looking forward to see how they will perform in tough Test match conditions against a formidable opponent.”

The Springbok team to face England in Johannesburg (in order of name, franchise/club, caps and points – tries, penalties, conversions, drop goals).