JONNY Wilkinson will be hoping to share in an England hat-trick of successes over South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow.
The mercurial fly-half returns as coach Clive Woodward makes just one change to the side that beat Australia 21-15 earlier this month.
Lions skipper Martin Johnson is fit again to lead England as they bid for an autumn hat-trick at Twickenham and a third successive win over South Africa.
In Bloemfontein in June 2000, Wilkinson kicked all England's points in a 27-22 win over the Springboks to draw a summer Test series.
A year ago, England beat South Africa 25-17 to complete an autumn treble at Twickenham, with Wilkinson again playing a key role.
Woodward expects another bruising encounter. Although the Springboks lost recently to France in Paris and were stretched to win in Italy last weekend, the England coach believes South Africa to be the best team in the southern hemisphere at the moment.
"I think they are ahead of Australia and the All Blacks in what they are doing, because they are moving forward," he said.
Wilkinson will be gaining his 30th England cap tomorrow. In his last appearance in an England shirt, the former Lord Wandsworth College captain again kicked all England's points as they beat world champions Australia 21-15.
Wilkinson returns for Charlie Hodgson, who amassed an England record 44 points in the 134-0 win against Romania last Saturday. The Sale player, however, will be waiting in the wings as one of England's replacements.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article