To fit Brown into the team Ben Foden has switched to the wing in place of the injured David Strettle – who started four games in the RBS 6 Nations.

And Lancaster insisted that the competition for places in the squad could only bode well ahead of the clash in Durban.

He said: “Tom [Johnson] and Joe [Marler] have had great seasons at their clubs and have worked really hard to get this chance, both are in great form and have really impressed in training. Equally, Mike Brown has been outstanding for Harlequins.

“By moving Ben [Foden] to the wing we retain his strike power and aerial skills and can utilise not only Mike’s attacking and defensive assets, but we can also call on his left-footed kicking game.

“Selection is competitive in lots of positions, particularly at scrum-half. We are really pleased with Ben [Youngs’s] form and he knows our systems well.”

London Irish centre Jonathan Joseph could also make his England bow after being named on the bench, alongside Toby Flood.

However there is no place for Danny Care, with Ben Youngs starting at scrum-half and Lee Dickson on the bench.

England: Brown, Ashton, Tuilagi, Barritt, Foden, Farrell, Youngs, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Parling, Botha, Johnson, Robshaw, Morgan

Replacements: Mears, Doran Jones, Palmer, Dowson, Dickson, Flood, Joseph