Brad Shields is poised to make his first start for England in the second Test against South Africa on ­Saturday after Joe Launchbury was again forced to miss training ­because of a calf injury.

Shields, the New Zealand-born forward, who joined the squad for the first time only last week, has not started a match in the second row for more than four years for his ­Super Rugby side, the Hurricanes.

However, the 27-year-old, who made his debut in the first Test ­defeat as a first-half replacement for Nick Isiekwe – who was withdrawn for tactical reasons as England let a 21-point lead slip – is now in line for a starting place if Launchbury is ruled out.

Luke Cowan-Dickie has been cleared to play after picking up a hamstring niggle as a second-half replacement at Ellis Park.

Neal Hatley, England’s forwards coach, said that Shields, who has trained as a second row since joining the squad, was ready to start.