The Sale Sharks wing, who recently retired from club rugby, has been appointed skipper for Tests against the Springboks in Bloemfontein on May 26 and Pretoria seven days later.

England boss Brian Ashton ruled out players from Leicester, Wasps or Bath due to them being involved in European finals the weekend before Bloemfontein, while centre Mike Catt and wing Mark Cueto are among eight players not considered through injury.

The uncapped contingent comprises Gloucester prop Nick Wood, Bristol tighthead Darren Crompton and lock Roy Winters, Saracens hooker Matt Cairns, Sale Sharks second-row Dean Schofield, Gloucester flanker Peter Buxton and Harlequins full-back Mike Brown.

Bristol's 35-year-old hooker Mark Regan will also travel, emerging from international retirement almost three years after his last England appearance, and there is a recall for Saracens prop Kevin Yates.

Regan is among four 2003 World Cup winners selected, with Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Cohen and Andy Gomarsall also heading to South Africa on May 15.

Wilkinson missed Newcastle's final Guinness Premiership game of the season last weekend due to a rib cartilage injury, but he looks likely to start in the first Test.

In addition to the contingent from Leicester, Wasps and Bath, Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater was not considered because of French Championship commitments, while Catt and Cueto are joined on the injury list by Charlie Hodgson, Olly Morgan, Mike Tindall, Andrew Sheridan, James Forrester and Dan Ward-Smith.

Highly-rated London Irish back Shane Geraghty, meanwhile, has not played since March 24 because of injury and it has been agreed he will feature in the England Saxons squad for this month's Churchill Cup.

Robinson took over as skipper when Catt went off during England's RBS 6 Nations Championship finale against Wales in March, while he also led his country for part of Andy Robinson's coaching reign.

England head coach Brian Ashton said: 'Jason has captained England before, and we need someone with international captaincy experience.

'He is well respected by all the other players, and he proved in the RBS 6 Nations that he was back to his top form again.'

Robinson added: 'I am delighted to be appointed captain of England again for the forthcoming games in South Africa.

'I thoroughly enjoyed my previous spell as captain, and I am looking forward to the trip as I have never played there before.'