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George Furbank is set to miss today’s clash with South Africa after suffering painful symptoms on Friday
England have been dealt a late injury blow ahead of today’s Nations Championship clash with South Africa after full-back George Furbank was reportedly rushed to hospital with appendicitis.
The Northampton captain was set to make his first England start in nearly two years, only to suffer painful symptoms following Friday’s captain’s run at Ellis Park. England have yet to confirm the 29-year-old has been ruled out, although the Telegraph are reporting that is the case.
If so, it leaves Steve Borthwick facing a dilemma on who to start in the 15 jersey against the Springboks later today.
Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith is the obvious choice, with the other specialist full-back in the squad, Freddie Steward, carrying an ankle injury.
It’s also a massive blow for Furbank, who has been blighted by wretched luck with injuries in recent years.
Having made an impact during the 2024 Six Nations and summer tour of New Zealand, a succession of knocks has kept him from starting for England since the autumn of 2024.
Since that start against Japan in November 2024, Furbank has been hit with a broken arm, recurring calf and knee injuries, and a concussion that affected his involvement in this year’s Six Nations.
Having seemingly turned a corner, he will now likely miss out on England’s remaining Nations Championship Test matches against Fiji and Argentina.
Furbank had spoken about his challenging time with injuries on Thursday.
“It was pretty tough to be honest,” Furbank said. “Just playing again felt a long way off at times to be honest.
“I was just incredibly grateful to get back playing, firstly for Saints and once I got a run there it was about trying to get back into the senior squad and trying to get a start for this team again.
“So now I have got that opportunity I guess it is about taking it and I just want to go out and enjoy being back in an England shirt.”
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Borthwick had also spoken about how he felt Furbank’s playmaking ability could prove dangerous against South Africa’s defence.
“I think it is brilliant to have George Furbank at 15,” Borthwick said on Thursday. “While he does not have a huge number of caps, he brings an experience and a calmness around him. You can see he is a captain, he’s a leader.
“It has been a challenging 18 months for him. I have been into Northampton a number of times where I have watched him train, watched him have such a great influence up there, but I have also been stood with him on the touchline when’s he been unable to train.
“You can sense the frustration. We’ve always sensed that positivity that he’s determined to get back.”
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