England coach Eddie Jones is determined to defy his critics when they face South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
England's recent four-match losing sequence has placed the Jones regime under scrutiny.
The Australian's methods have attracted criticism off the pitch while results suffer on it.
England have never won a series on South African soil and have triumphed in only three of their 13 previous Tests there, but Jones is backing his team to deliver the victory that will buy him some breathing space.
"Everyone's excited about this opportunity. Everyone's bagging us, everyone's saying we can't win," Jones said.
"From ex-players to ex-coaches, they're saying we're no good, so it's a great opportunity for us to show we are of value. It's a great challenge for us ... a great opportunity for us to start the march to the World Cup.
"Ultimately, to win the World Cup you have got to win these big games like beating South Africa in Ellis Park, so this is an opportunity for us to take a step forward."
Billy Vunipola has returned at number eight having missed 15 months of international duty because of injury.
Tom Curry joins him in the back row in an exciting selection that could signal the end of Jones' search for a genuine openside, while Elliot Daly slots in at fulback with Mike Brown on the left wing.
England takes on South Africa in a three-Test June Series, kicking off at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on Saturday June 9.
