Full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of England’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday with appendicitis.

Furbank, 29, had been preparing for his first England game in nearly two years before falling ill on Friday evening.

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England have yet to confirm who will replace him, with Marcus Smith most likely to come in to the starting XV.

Steve Borthwick’s side face the world champion Springboks at 16:40 BST at the iconic Ellis park in Johannesburg.

Furbank’s inclusion had been one of the main talking points from Thursday’s team announcement.

“George Furbank has had so many little setbacks that would really test anybody’s character and resolve and he has come through it all,” head coach Steve Borthwick said on Thursday.

With that in mind, it is another desperately unlucky setback for the 29-year-old, who has suffered arm, calf, knee and concussion injuries since his most recent England appearance in November 2024.

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“It feels like a significant blow to England’s attacking prospects, as well as the leadership a Prem-winning captain brings to the backfield,” said former England fly-half Paul Grayson.

Furbank impressed at full-back throughout the course of 2024, but was hit by a succession of injuries since his most recent appearance against Japan in November of that year.

However, he returned to hit top form at the back end of the latest Prem season, leading Northampton to the league title before a summer switch to Harlequins.