Michael Rhodes is backing himself to stay composed in the face of any sledging from South Africa if he makes his England debut against his homeland.

Rhodes is in contention to start in a remodelled back row for the Springboks’ visit to Twickenham on Saturday as Eddie Jones contends with an injury crisis that has claimed Billy Vunipola, Nathan Hughes and Chris Robshaw among its victims.

Saracens’ hard-tackling blindside flanker qualifies for England on residency grounds and in a twist of fate could win his first cap against the nation he left for the Gallagher Premiership in 2015.

Rhodes insists anyone doubting his allegiance to the national cause should watch him play.

“To those people, I would say that my goal is to win rugby games with England. I’m going to play as hard and committed as possible to winning the game,” Rhodes said.

“If they are supporting the team, then the winning is what they should be concerned about.

“As I say, when it comes down to commitment, there should be no doubt where my commitment lies.

“It’s really strange how things work out. I never came here to play for England and I left my international aspirations in South Africa when I left there.

“It wasn’t a decision I made in terms of ‘oh I want to play for England’, as most English players would have because that was never on the table when I first moved here.

“I’ve had a lot of support from mates back home. I think my old man’s been getting more flack than me about it from his mates about who he’ll be supporting.

“He hasn’t told me yet, he’s probably keeping it on the down-low for now.”