Shields gets first start in England test shirt
Former captain Chris Robshaw has been dropped and Brad Shields handed his first start on the blindside flank for the second test against South Africa in Bloemfontein tomorrow (NZT).
England’s campaign was given a lift when lock Joe Launchbury overcame a calf injury and was named in Eddie Jones’ starting lineup for a match that England must win to keep the series alive.
The Wasps lock will partner Maro Itoje, as Jones reshuffled the England pack.
New Zealand-born Shields comes into the starting XV on the blindside, while Robshaw and Nick Isiekwe drop out of the match 23 after disappointing performances at Ellis Park, where Isiekwe was replaced after just 36 minutes.
‘‘Based on South Africa’s likely selection of an extra lineout jumper we have decided to start with Brad Shields, which improves our lineout,’’ Jones said.
‘‘It is tough on Chris Robshaw as he has been an outstanding player for us but I know he will bounce back. Danny Cipriani will come onto the bench, as we are looking for something a little bit different to finish the game, which he can bring.
‘‘He’s been training well and doing everything that has been asked of him.’’
Shields’ duties will also extend to shutting down dangerous South Africa halfback Faf de Klerk – who ran riot in the first test at Ellis Park as South Africa at one stage scored 39 points in 44 minutes – and to cutting the number of penalties that England give away at the breakdown.
Another high-scoring game is expected in Bloemfontein, a similarly dry ground at altitude where South Africa average 36 points per game since 1992.
‘‘Bloemfontein is a very fast ground at altitude. It has an average of 60 points per test match so we are anticipating an ebb-and-flow type game like we had in Johannesburg,’’ Jones said.
A week after celebrating Siya Kolisi’s elevation to Springboks captain, prop Tendai Mtawarira will play his 100th test against England in Bloemfontein.
The 32-year-old loosehead was born in Zimbabwe but made his debut for South Africa 10 years ago. He will be the sixth Springbok to the milestone after Percy Montgomery, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers.
‘‘Much like a typical front-rower, ‘Beast’ is not someone who likes the spotlight,’’ South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said of Mtawarira yesterday.
‘‘However, his contribution to Springbok rugby during the past decade has been enormous and I want to congratulate him on reaching 100 test caps.’’
Erasmus was able to name Frans Malherbe at tighthead prop following a lengthy absence for a neck injury. He replaced Stormers teammate Wilco Louw in the starting side.
Also, Pieter-Steph du Toit swapped with Jean-Luc du Preez for the No 7 jersey.
Erasmus expected a backlash from the tourists after their first test performance.
‘‘They will no doubt want to bounce back to level the series, so it’s going to be another huge test of our resolve and character,’’ he said.
The third and final match of the series takes place in Cape Town on June 23.