England have lost fullback George Furbank to appendicitis on the eve of Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park. Furbank was hospitalised after developing symptoms following Friday's captain's run, ruling him out of the match. Marcus Smith is expected to move from the bench into the No.15 jersey as his replacement. The 29-year-old had only recently returned to England contention after missing Test rugby since November 2024 through injury.
ReportSpringboksRugby365 · RugbyPass · The Guardian Rugby· updated
Furbank ruled out of Bok clash with appendicitis
George Furbank has been ruled out of Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park after being hospitalised with appendicitis, with Marcus Smith expected to fill the No.15 jersey.
- Rugby365https://rugby365.com/countries/england/england-suffer-huge-late-blow-ahead-of-bok-showdown/
- RugbyPasshttps://www.rugbypass.com/news/george-furbank-withdrawn-from-england-squad-hours-before-springboks-clash/
- The Guardian Rugbyhttps://www.rugbypass.com/news/george-furbank-withdrawn-from-england-squad-hours-before-springboks-clash/
- theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jul/04/south-africa-v-england-nations-championship-rugby-union-live
- theguardian.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jul/04/south-africa-v-england-nations-championship-rugby-union-live
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