Springboks set for major late changes – reports
· The South African
As the Springboks and England prepare to go head to head at Ellis Park, both teams are set to be forced into late enforced changes.
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On Saturday morning, reports came to light that England fullback George Furbank had been taken to hospital with appendicitis after suffering painful symptoms following Friday’s captain’s run.
It’s expected that Marcus Smith will come in to wear No 15 jersey.
TheSouthAfrican has learned that the Springboks have also been dealt late blows on the eve of kick off (at 17:40).
Siya Kolisi (hamstring niggle) and Eben Etzebeth (concussion) have apparently both been ruled out of the match, with Paul de Villiers now set to debut in the No 6 jersey, while Pieter-Steph du Toit will shift from flank to lock.
Cameron Hanekom – who was initially named on the bench – is expected to start in the No 7 jersey, while Ben-Jason Dixon and Cobus Wiese could come onto the bench.
It will also mean the Springboks have to change captaincy, with Jesse Kriel likely to take over the leadership duties.
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS AND ENGLAND MAY NOW LINE UP
South Africa (with likely changes): 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph Du Toit, 3 Thomas Du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 BJ Dixon, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Siya Kolisi & Eben Etzebeth withdrawn from Bok team. PSDT goes to lock, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers to start on flanks. BJ Dixon, Cobus Wiese to bench. George Furbank out for England. No news on replacement yet but might be Marcus Smith to start at 15. #Rugby
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) July 4, 2026
a loss of 244 test caps , replaced by 1 cap 🥲
— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) July 4, 2026
A double blow for the #Springboks losing Kolisi and Etzebeth, but a great opportunity for the players stepping into their roles vs England #NationsChampionship
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 4, 2026
England (with likely changes): 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie,17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 TBC
OFFICIALS
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Stats and facts:
Springbok record against England:
Played 47; Won 29; Lost 16; Drawn 2; Points for 1027; Points against 804; Tries scored: 93; Tries against: 60; Highest score: 58-10; Biggest win 48 points. Win percentage 61,7%.