James Haskell has replaced Tom Croft in the England XV © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Schalk Burger | James Haskell

Teams: England | South Africa | Wasps

Grounds: Twickenham Stadium

James Haskell will add an extra two stones and a considerable weight of conviction to England's pack when they face world champions South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Wasps flanker is team manager Martin Johnson's only change from the side defeated 28-14 by Australia last weekend. His inclusion, at the expense of Tom Croft, also throws up an intriguing clash with his rugby hero Schalk Burger, the Springbok who is generally considered to be one of the world's great flankers.

If Haskell was in any way intimidated then he kept it well and truly hidden at England's Bagshot training headquarters.

Haskell said: "If I didn't think I was up to the challenge I'd be hiding in my room and be driving my car out of here. I feel I can compete on the international stage.

"Martin has had faith with his players and we've bought faith in to what the coaches have brought. We understand the direction we are going. We are just going to put right what went wrong, end of story.''

It was fiery talk from Haskell, whose season started anonymously with Wasps after being one of the highlights of England's summer tour of New Zealand. At 18st Haskell is two stones heavier than Croft and after being consigned to the bench against the Pacific Islanders and Australia he gets his chance to beef up an England forward challenge which was so disappointing last weekend.

The encounter with Burger could be crucial. The Springbok jokes about Burger's strength are legendary and along the lines of: 'When Schalk Burger does a push-up, he isn't lifting himself up; he's pushing the Earth down.'

Haskell, 23 and winning his 11th cap, is undaunted by the prospect. He said: "Without sounding cheesy it is a big challenge facing Burger because he is one of the guys I have tried to model my game on.

"He has been one of the best number sixes in the world for a considerable period of time. What makes him a special player is his mentality and his physicality. He combines abrasivenes and commitment with a large amount of skill.

"It's exciting. But I'm not going into this game thinking I have to put in an extra special performance. That would be detrimental. I just want to continue enjoying this set-up, going out there with guys I respect and like.''

He admits to frustration at having to sit on the sidelines, although he did come on twice against the Pacific Islanders and again last week.

Haskell said: "It has been disappointment and anger that I haven't played. I wanted to take part in the games and have more of an impact than I have done. But in this set-up, being involved in the 22 is just as important as starting. It is an exciting time to be involoved in English rugby.

"What I bring is ball carrying and tackling and I'll just try to play my normal game. It's how the team plays and how I fit into it. One man can't beat a South Africa team.''