England star urges teammates to take South African Test match by the scruff of the neck and impose themselves on the game

Ollie Lawrence has told his England teammates that they must impose themselves on South Africa from the first whistle when the two countries meet in the first Test in Pretoria on Saturday.

The versatile back insists that England cannot afford to allow South Africa to dictate the tempo of the match if they are to win the series.

England have not won a Test series in South Africa since 2000 and have tasted victory against the Springboks in just one of their last six meetings.

Lawrence, who will make his fourth Test start for England, said: "We need to get into this Test match and impose ourselves on the game. We need to start well and build some pressure.

"We need to get our set-piece right and then we need to try and get some tempo into the game. Then we can exploit our attacking power.

"If we allow South Africa to slow the game down and get into a rhythm, then they will be very hard to beat. We need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and not let them settle."

Lawrence has played mostly at center for his country but can also play on the wing, which means he could be in competition with the likes of Manu Tuilagi and Joe Cokanasiga for a place in the starting lineup.

The 22-year-old said: "I am just happy to be in the squad. I am learning a lot from the coaches and the senior players and I am just trying to improve every day.

"I will play wherever the coaches want me to play. I am comfortable playing at center or on the wing. I just want to help the team win."

England head coach Eddie Jones has said that he will name his team for the first Test on Thursday.

South Africa are likely to field a strong team, with the likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Faf de Klerk all set to start.

The match will be a huge test for England, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing Six Nations campaign.