England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of Saturday's international against South Africa after failing to recover from a neck injury. Wasps prop Tim Payne has been promoted from outside the original match 22 to start at loose-head against the world champions, with Matt Stevens remaining on the bench.

Sheridan suffered the injury in last weekend's 28-14 defeat to Australia. He was expected to be fit in time to play against the Springboks and was named in the team by manager Martin Johnson on Tuesday, but England's medical staff today decided Sheridan should be rested as a precaution. He is expected to be available for England's final autumn international against New Zealand on November 29. Payne will win his ninth cap against the Springboks, taking the Wasps contingent in the team to eight.

Meanwhile, South Africa have made two changes to the team which beat Scotland last weekend for Saturday's Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday. Coach Peter de Villiers has brought Jannie du Plessis into the front row in place of his brother Bismarck, who injured a hamstring at Murrayfield, and Danie Rossouw will start at flanker instead of Juan Smith, who suffered a head injury during the 14-10 victory over the Scots and was advised by doctors not to play.

Winger Bryan Habana, who was doubtful earlier in the week, has been deemed fit enough to start, but Brian Mujati, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, was only named among the replacements.

South Africa team: B Mtawarira, J Smit, J du Plessis, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, D Rossouw, P Spies, R Januarie, R Pienaar, B Habana, J de Villiers, A Jacobs, JP Pietersen, C Jantjes.

Replacements: C Ralepelle, B Mujati, A Bekker, R Kankowski, H Brussow, F Steyn, J Fourie.