Danny Cipriani’s England debut arrived during the 2008 Championship – and now he is set to start for his country for the first time in nearly a decade.
The 30-year-old has been named at fly-half for his side’s third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday (kick-off 4.05pm UK time) as Eddie Jones’ team look to avoid a series whitewash against the Springboks.
Cipriani, who last started a game for England in a clash with South Africa at Twickenham back in November 2008, replaces George Ford.
Meanwhile, there are three further changes to the England side that were beaten 23-12 in Bloemfontein in the second Test on June 16, with Harlequins’ Joe Marler inserting into the front row to replace Saracens man Mako Vunipola, who left South Africa following the second Test and welcomed his son Jacob into the world earlier this week.
Chris Robshaw comes in for Brad Shields, who is ruled out with illness and Nathan Hughes replaces the injured Billy Vunipola. What they said Elaborating on Cipriani’s selection, England boss Jones said: “We are expecting a wet and windy old day at Newlands and have elected to play Danny Cipriani ahead of George Ford to give us a left-foot kicking option.
“We will need to jump out of the blocks quickly again and make sure we maintain that pressure and make good decisions.
“We’ve had a really upbeat training week.
“We are up for the battle and are going to rip in on Saturday. We want another committed performance, where it will be crucial to maintain our composure when the heat is on.
“I’ve been really impressed with the fortitude of the squad under Owen Farrell, who is a young captain, and with a number of young players who have really stuck to the task.” Opposition South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has made five chances to his team as they prepare to renew hostilities with England.
Warrick Gelant comes in at full-back, Jesse Kriel and Andre Esterhuizen are deployed midfield, Elton Jantjies starts at fly-half, and Chiliboy Ralepelle is handed a spot at hooker. Key stat This will be the third meeting between England and South Africa to take place in Cape Town – the Springgoks ran out 27-9 winners in June 1994 and 18-0 in July 1998. England squad for the third Test against South Africa
15. Elliot Daly (Wasps) 20 caps 14. Jonny May (Leicester Tigers) 36 caps 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) 12 caps 12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, captain) 60 caps 11. Mike Brown (Harlequins) 71 caps 10. Danny Cipriani (Wasps) 15 caps 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) 76 caps 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins) 58 caps 2. Jamie George (Saracens) 27 caps 3. Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) 12 caps 4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps) 53 caps 5. Maro Itoje (Saracens) 21 caps 6. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) 65 caps 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) 3 cap 8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps) 16 caps Replacements 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) 7 caps 17. Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) 2 caps 18. Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) 10 caps 19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs) uncapped 20. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) 3 caps 21. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) 7 caps 22. Ben Spencer (Saracens) 2 caps 23. Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks) 4 caps
