With England heading into July's Nations Championship Tests against the Springboks, Fiji, and Argentina, Planet Rugby has ranked the full England backline depth chart. The key analytical thread running through it is Lee Blackett's apparent shift to a more expansive, tempo-driven attack — first glimpsed against France in the final Six Nations round — and how that system shapes Borthwick's selection priorities: playmaking halves, physical but ball-playing midfielders, and a back three with aerial and ground threats.
For Springbok supporters, the most relevant detail is England's 12 situation: South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg is ranked first-choice inside centre once he becomes eligible on July 8, but that means he misses the Bok opener — leaving Seb Atkinson likely to start that Test. At 9, Mitchell's injury hands Ben Spencer the starting role, while Fin Smith leads a tight fly-half contest over George Ford. The piece is worth reading in full for the ranked depth charts at every position and the injury-related selection uncertainty that could define which England side the Boks actually face.