Rugby: Sheridan out for Boks test
Updated on 20 November 2008
England prop Andrew Sheridan will miss Saturday's clash with South Africa at Twickenham because of a neck injury.
Sheridan sustained the injury during last week's loss against Australia. He will be replaced by Tim Payne in the starting line up.
Following the announcement of the South African team today, team captain John Smit said "I suppose if I was playing tighthead on Saturday I'd be a lot happier that he [Sheridan] wasn't playing".
Springboks' lock, Bakkies Botha, also dismissed suggestions made by their coach, Peter de Villiers, that the team were mentally tired after a long season.
"I believe in my heart that we're not going on to the pitch with a mindset that now it's the end of the year and I'm not feeling well, because it's still an honour to be in Springbok jersey and when you pull that jersey over your head you must be eager to go onto that field and give 100 per cent for your nation and for your teammates," he said.
England: Delon Armitage, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye, Danny Cipriani, Danny Care; Tim Payne, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Steve Borthwick (captain), Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Tom Rees, Nick Easter
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Matt Stevens, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Jordan Crane, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood
South Africa: Conrad Jantjes; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Ricky Januarie; Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit (captain), Jannie du Plessis, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Steyn, Jaque Fourie
