Freddie Steward's aerial ability and Joe Marler's scrummage power have won them starts in England's Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

George Martin comes into the second row in place of Ollie Chessum.

Vice-captain Ellis Genge drops to the bench alongside George Ford as Owen Farrell retains his fly-half role.

Thirteen of England's squad played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, when South Africa, who started as underdogs, triumphed 32-12.

The two sides have met twice since with England taking a narrow win in 2021 and South Africa comfortably claiming victory a year later at Twickenham. - a match that marked the end of Eddie Jones' reign as England coach.

England: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Marler, George, Cole, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Genge, Sinckler, Chessum, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.

"Through this tournament the team has progressed, with the players repeatedly finding a way to win, sometimes in challenging circumstances," said head coach Steve Borthwick.

"We will once again need to be at our very best this weekend as we face an excellent team in South Africa."

Earlier on Thursday, South Africa named the same starting XV that beat France in the last eight for their return to the Stade de France, with Manie Libbok holding on to the fly-half shirt ahead of Leicester's Handre Pollard.

South Africa's first three tries in their victory over the hosts last weekend came via kicks into the backfield and Steward's ability to defuse that danger will be key if England are to overturn the odds and make a final against either New Zealand or Argentina.

South Africa's trademark scrummage strength was also obvious in their win over France, with full-back Damian Willemse opting for the set-piece from a free-kick inside his own 22m, rather than kicking straight to touch, on one notable occasion.

Former England head coach Jones has previously said his decision not to start Marler, considered to be one of the country's best scrummaging props, against the Springboks was one of his selection mistakes in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final defeat.

Martin, with eight previous caps, including three starts, to his name, is the least experienced of England's starting line-up. However, Borthwick knows both his and club team-mate Chessum's game well through his previous role as Leicester head coach.

"There is no doubt the players will truly relish the challenge of knockout rugby under the lights in Paris," added Borthwick.

"These players will, as they have done in every game of this tournament, give absolutely everything in the semi-final to get the result we want."

While Ford excelled while Farrell was suspended for England's first two matches at the World Cup, he has been demoted upon the captain's return.

The pair were picked as a 10-12 combination for the pool-stage meeting with Samoa, but Ford was substituted after 50 minutes as England struggled to fire in attack.

South Africa have replaced Ireland as Test's rugby number one side and are considered the tournament favourites by the bookmakers. They beat New Zealand - their nearest challengers in both - by a record score in August.

England, ranked fifth in the world, are the only unbeaten team left in the tournament and the only pool winners to have reached the semi-finals. South Africa were runners-up in their pool following a 13-8 defeat by Ireland in their third game in France.