Danny to start for first time in a decade

Flyhalf Danny Cipriani will make his first start for England since 2008 when they play a dead-rubber Test against South Africa in Cape Town today.

“We are expecting a wet and windy day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option,” explained coach Eddie Jones.

Cipriani last start incidentally came against the Boks at Twickenham back in 2008. He has since made nine appearances from the bench for a total of 15 Tests.

His inclusion in place of Ford is one of four changes – three enforced – from the team that lost the second Test and the series in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Loosehead prop Joe Marler replaces Mako Vunipola, who returned home last weekend for family reasons.

No 8 Billy Vunipola, Mako’s brother, was ruled out of the Cape Town finale by injury, and Nathan Hughes comes in.

Illness forced a change at loose forward with Brad Shields sidelined and Chris Robshaw recalled just one week after being dropped for the first time.

There are three chances to the bench with prop Alex Hepburn, lock Jonny Hill and loose forward Sam Simmonds promoted.

While only pride is at stake after South Africa won 42-39 in Johannesburg and 23-12 in Bloemfontein, England are desperate to snap a five-Test losing streak.

Before touring South Africa, England lost Six Nations matches against Scotland, France and Ireland.

The dramatic loss of form came after Jones had won 24 of his first 25 Tests since succeeding Stuart Lancaster in 2015. – AFP