England called on Emmanuel Iyogun and Chandler Cunningham-South to replace the injured Cadan Murli and Beno Obano in the 45-21 loss to South Africa in Johannesburg.
Murley’s injury has left Steve Borthwick with a back three selection headache. Steve Borthwick has already been sidelined for the summer after Northampton star George Furbank underwent an appendectomy ahead of the Ellis Park defeat. However, full-back Freddie Steward is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Fiji in Liverpool after missing the Springboks clash with an ankle injury.
Sale wing Tom Roebuck was drafted in Furbank’s place by Borthwick, but despite playing primarily at flyhalf for club and country, it was Harlequins’ Marcus Smith who started at fullback on Saturday.
Beno Obano misses out with injury after returning to England squad for first time since 2023
Obano, who returns to the England squad for the first time since February 2023, will be replaced by uncapped prop Iyogun, who could make his senior debut after making three appearances for England A.
Cunningham-South, who endured a difficult season with Harlequins as they finished ninth in the Gallagher PREM, also returns to the side to strengthen the back row.
Steve Borthwick endured a crushing defeat in Johannesburg.
A defeat against Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium will put Borthwick under serious pressure already. Borthwick is suffering a fifth successive Test defeat in his Six Nations campaign after England recorded their lowest ever performance in the tournament.
England travel to Argentina for their third and final Nations Championship summer match against Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero before facing Fiji.
England Nations Championship fixtures
- South Africa 45-21 England (Johannesburg)
- vs Fiji (July 11) – Liverpool Hill Dickinson Stadium (2.10pm)
- vs Argentina (July 18) – Santiago del Estero Unico Stadium (8:10 p.m.)
