England have resisted the temptation to unleash rising star Henry Pollock from the outset against the Springboks, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.
Coach Steve Borthwick has instead named what appears to be their gnarliest and most abrasive forward pack in a clear attempt to blunt South Africa’s formidable scrum at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Despite Pollock’s outstanding domestic season and growing reputation, Borthwick has opted for experience and power, retaining Ben Earl at No 8 while surrounding him with a pack built to withstand one of rugby’s most destructive set-pieces in this Nations Championship fixture.
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The selection underlines England’s expectation that the contest will be won up front. The Springboks have made a habit of dismantling opponents through relentless scrum pressure, and England have responded by selecting a bruising tight five featuring Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, George Martin and Alex Coles, with Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry adding further ballast to the loose trio.
England have only won twice in South Africa this century, with their last victory at Ellis Park coming in 1972, 54 years ago.
Pollock’s absence, at least from the start, is likely to disappoint Bok fans, who have widely predicted he’ll get his comeuppance against SA’s big bruisers. It may yet happen when Borthwick’s team needs energy late in the game.
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England’s backline features a notable return for fullback George Furbank, who is set for his first Test start since November 2024 after Freddie Steward was ruled out through injury. Furbank reunites with Northampton teammate Fin Smith in a familiar playmaking combination that has flourished at club level.
Jack van Poortvliet is preferred at scrumhalf alongside Smith, while the outside backs comprise Cadan Murley, Seb Atkinson, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
England have endured a miserable record in South Africa over the past two decades and arrive in Johannesburg facing one of the toughest assignments in international rugby.
Their selection suggests Borthwick believes any chance of upsetting the world champions will begin with surviving, and competing, against the Boks’ feared pack.
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ENGLAND – 15 George Furbank, 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 (c), 1 Ellis Genge.
Bench: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Marcus Smith.
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The post Poms bench Pollock for Bok battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
England have resisted the temptation to unleash rising star Henry Pollock from the outset against the Springboks.
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