Wilkinson fronts up to Boks

England suffered a physical battering against the Springboks in Bloemfontein last Saturday, finding themselves on the receiving end of a record 58-10 defeat.

"It has been an interesting couple of weeks, which makes it even more of a challenge. A lot of players have had to step up to the mark, and everyone knows what is required of them. We plan to go out there and stand up to it."

He added: "There is a genuine belief we are going somewhere, and the feeling is a hugely positive one. This game is a big one to put into practise what we have been doing on the training field and then take it with us into our World Cup training camp."

The Newcastle fly half has been handed the captaincy for just the second time in this international career for the match, taking over leadership duties from Jason Robinson, whose knee injury has not healed in time.

Wilkinson, who will skipper a side showing six changes from last Saturday, said: "It is a massive privilege and honour for me, but it doesn't change my approach to things."

England head coach Brian Ashton decided not to name his starting line-up until 24 hours before kick-off, given that resources were stretched due to injuries and a stomach virus that has plagued England almost since their arrival in South Africa just over a fortnight ago.

Ashton though, at last received some good news on the illness front when Harlequins' fullback Mike Brown came through a fitness test and training session just two days after England's medical staff ruled him out of contention.

Brown keeps his place for the second Test at Loftus Versfeld, while Ashton has switched Nick Easter from number eight to blindside flanker, which allows Saracens' Ben Skirving an England debut in a reshuffled back-row alongside Easter and Magnus Lund.

Other changes see starts for Newcastle centre Jamie Noon on the right wing, while Saracens' back Dan Scarborough wears the number 11 shirt for his first Test start in almost four years.