George Furbank makes England return against South Africa in Nations Championship
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 2, 2026, 1:01 PM
Last updated Jul 2, 2026
George Furbank is set to make his first England appearance in nearly two years during the Nations Championship opener against South Africa on Saturday. The match will take place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Furbank joins Cadan Murley and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the back three, while George Martin returns to the starting lineup in the forwards. Head coach Steve Borthwick emphasized the significance of playing South Africa at Ellis Park. Furbank's last appearance for England was in November 2024, and his recent form helped Northampton secure the Premiership title before he joined Harlequins.
- •Furbank will earn his 15th cap for England in the match.
- •England's captain Jamie George leads a strong forward pack.
- •Cadan Murley sees the match as a chance to compete against top talent.
- •George Martin also makes his first start since the 2025 Six Nations.
- 9:31 AMYahoo Sports — Furbank out of South Africa Test with appendicitis
- 1:01 PMYahoo Sports — Furbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years
- 1:01 PMBBC Sport — Furbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years
"George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
"George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
"Full-back George Furbank, who was set to play his first England game since 2024, is ruled out of their Nations Championship opener against South Africa.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 4, 2026, 9:31 AMFurbank out of South Africa Test with appendicitis
Full-back George Furbank, who was set to play his first England game since 2024, is ruled out of their Nations Championship opener against South Africa.
- Yahoo SportsJul 2, 2026, 1:01 PMFurbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years
George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
- BBC SportJul 2, 2026, 1:01 PMFurbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years
George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
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