It’s not as dramatic, but England have had to make a late change of their own.

George Furbank has appendicitis and was taken to hospital yesterday. That means Marcus Smith moves from the bench to the 15 jersey.

Henry Slade joins the 23 on the bench.

Steve Borthwick has gone for some big timber in the pack and has picked a 6-2 split. George Martin and Alex Coles could win this match for their country if they stand up and wear down the now lightened Springboks pack.

Of course all eyes will be on the bench, eager to see Henry Pollock enter the scene. No visiting player since Jonah Lomu has attracted as much attention as the Northampton Saints lad. (No, I’m not comparing the two, but the collective headloss from Saffa fans has been immense).

England: Marcus Smith; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, Seb Atkinson, Cadan Murley; Fin Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Jamie George (c), Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Beno Obano, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Carlie Ewels, Guy Pepper, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Henry Slade.

We’re going to find out if this depth in SA rugby everyone keeps banging on about is truth or guff.

A bombshell has landed. Both Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth have been withdrawn from the match-23.

Pieter-Steph du Toit shifts to the second row and will captain the team while Cameron Hanekom – a superb athlete but one who is yet to shine on a Test pitch – will take the 7 jersey with Paul de Villiers making his debut at 6.

There’s a mini crisis at lock. In fact, there are no replacement locks on the bench with Marco van Staden and Ben-Jason Dixon (more of a loose forward than a lock) the forwards on a 5-3 bench.

South Africa: Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Manie Libbok, Grant Williams; Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), Ruan Nortje, Paul de Villiers, Cameron Hanekom, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Cobus Reinach, Andre Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie.

We return to the place where it all started.

Back in 2018, on a wintry Johannesburg day, Eddie Jones’ England came to town to play a dynasty in its infancy.

It was the first home match of the Rassie Erasmus era and the first time Siya Kolisi skippered the side.

After England raced to a 24-3 lead at Ellis Park, the Springboks went on to win 42-39 and begin the first steps as one of the most dominant sides the sport has ever seen. Two World Cups, a British & Irish Lions tour, three Rugby Championship titles and two of their players crowned best in the world. It’s been some ride.

England are back. They have a different coach though their hosts haven’t changed too much. Erasmus is still in charge. Kolisi is still skipper. The weight of a nation still rests on their meaty shoulders.

What has changed is the expectations around this fixture. Anything other than a South African romp will be viewed as an upset. But I’ve got a sneaky feeling England could spring a surprise. I’m not saying they’ll win, but this could be tighter than some have imagined.

In a day littered with blockbuster matches, this is surely the headline act. I cannot wait!

Kick-off at 17:40 in Johannesburg/16:40 BST.

Team news (and there are some doozies) and other bits to follow.