Watch South Africa v England live on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 3pm
Friday 8 June 2018 08:23, UK
Elliot Daly is relishing facing his Wasps team-mate Willie Le Roux in Saturday's first Test between England and South Africa.
Daly has been named at full-back for the Ellis Park contest, with Le Roux at 15 for the Springboks.
The pair combined to devastating effect in Wasps' back three as they reached the Aviva Premiership semi-finals but will now face off in Johannesburg, live on Sky Sports Action.
"He has played really well this season and credit to him for getting back into the South Africa squad, he deserves it," said Daly, who wins his 19th England cap on Saturday.
"It'll be interesting playing against him but it's one I'm really looking forward to."
Daly has been retained at full-back after starting there in England's heavy loss to the Barbarians, with head coach Eddie Jones highlighting the 25-year-old's kicking game as a major strength.
Daly is looking forward to practising his long-range kicking at altitude during Friday's captain's run and wants to repay the faith Jones has shown in him.
"Eddie always gives you the licence to do what you want. He backs you as a rugby player, which is great," he said.
"If you make a decision and it doesn't come off, he doesn't criticise you for it. It gives you great confidence in that regard. I'm just looking forward to getting my hands on the ball."
Daly's retention at full-back means Mike Brown remains on the left wing for the series opener.
The Harlequin won his first England cap in a 58-10 drubbing in Bloemfontein in 2007, and after suffering a broken thumb in Durban five years later, he is hoping it will be third time lucky in South Africa.
"They're massively passionate about their rugby over here and about beating England," said the 32-year-old, who wins his 70th cap in Johannesburg.
"It's an unbelievable atmosphere so we've got to make sure that mentally we're right for that, that we don't get overawed by everything that's going on around us. We close ranks when we get on the pitch and focus on ourselves.
"Physicality is massive for them, they'll come out flying. They're born to be physical so we need to match that and be better in that area. We know they're going to be coming for us."
