Ireland opened their Nations Championship campaign with a victory forged from character rather than quality, surviving a breathless and utterly absorbing contest at a sold-out Allianz Stadium to claim a 33-31 win over Australia. Thomas Clarkson’s 77th-minute try completed a remarkable comeback from 12 points down, and Sam Prendergast held his nerve to convert from the right touchline before Ben Donaldson’s difficult last-gasp penalty sailed wide in the dying seconds. Ten tries were scored across a match that swung wildly from one side to the other in front of a new stadium record crowd of 41,971 on a clear, chilly Sydney evening. It was far from the polished performance Ireland’s coaches would have wanted, but the resilience on display – particularly in the final quarter – underlined why this remains one of the most formidable teams in world rugby.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Harry Wilson disrupted the Ireland lineout and the Wallabies capitalised, working through the phases before Campbell collected a pass at his ankles and found an unmarked Dylan Pietsch, who finished brilliantly in the right corner. Gordon missed the conversion from the sideline. (5-0)

10 mins – TRY IRELAND: Sam Prendergast found touch in the left corner and Ireland secured the lineout before setting the maul. Stuart McCloskey charged onto a short ball and was stopped a metre short before Cian Prendergast picked and drove at pace to dot down over the line. Sam Prendergast converted. (5-7)

14 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: The Wallabies worked through a prolonged attacking spell, with Jeremy Williams and Rob Valetini carrying powerfully. Ryan Lonergan swung play wide and Len Ikitau drifted across to send Jock Campbell bursting into space, pinning his ears back to dive over in the corner on his first Test appearance in 1,316 days. Gordon missed the conversion. (10-7)

19 mins – TRY IRELAND: After multiple offside penalties from Australia, Ireland opted for a tap five metres out. Dan Sheehan sold it beautifully, shaping to carry himself before dropping a no-look short ball to Josh van der Flier, who charged over down the left. Sam Prendergast missed the conversion. (10-12)

24 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: The Wallabies forwards hammered away close to the line, with Williams burrowing low and Fraser McReight following suit before Josh Canham powered through the defender in front of him to force it down for his first Test try. Gordon converted. (17-12)

27 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Sam Prendergast’s pass was intercepted by Max Jorgensen, who sprinted clear from 60 metres out down the left wing before popping back inside to Ryan Lonergan, who streaked away to score under the posts. Gordon converted. (24-12)

33 mins: Ryan Lonergan departed for a blood/HIA assessment and was replaced by Tate McDermott. Lonergan did not return.

36 mins: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii broke clean through the Irish midfield with a devastating fend on Garry Ringrose, but Hugo Keenan produced a try-saving tackle five metres short, forcing Suaalii to spill the ball forward.

Half-time: Australia 24-19 Ireland.

40+2 mins – TRY IRELAND: Ireland opted to run from deep inside their own half rather than kick to touch. Keenan found space on the left wing before Jack Conan burst ahead in midfield, drawing defenders and delivering a superb offload back inside to Jamison Gibson-Park, who raced away unopposed to score under the posts. Sam Prendergast converted. (24-19)

47 mins – TRY IRELAND: Ireland won a penalty at the lineout and tapped five metres out. After several pick-and-go phases, Ringrose dug into the line and dropped a short ball to Keenan, who broke through the tackle of Suaalii to score beside the posts. Sam Prendergast converted. (24-26)

53 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Ireland conceded a free kick at scrum time five metres from their own line and McDermott caught them napping, taking a quick tap and powering over with the help of Wilson. Gordon converted. (31-26)

58 mins – TRY DISALLOWED IRELAND: Ireland won a lineout in the right corner and set the rolling maul, with Sheehan breaking away to dot down. However, the TMO ruled it out for obstruction after James Ryan was deemed to have illegally taken Valetini out of the defensive line while not bound to the maul. Ireland furious but the decision stood.

59 mins: Jeremy Loughman was knocked unconscious after his head caught Valetini’s knee in a tackle. He left the field and did not return, with Tom O’Toole coming back on at loosehead.

65 mins: Ireland built pressure through Sam Prendergast and Nick Timoney, who burst through a gap, but James Ryan knocked on metres from the line, letting Australia off the hook.

71 mins – PENALTY MISSED AUSTRALIA: Ben Donaldson’s penalty attempt from 30 metres was dragged wide left.

75 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Lachlan Shaw was sent to the sin bin on debut after being caught offside right beside the ruck, moments after referee O’Keeffe had issued captain Wilson with a team warning for repeated infringements.

77 mins – TRY IRELAND: Ireland tapped and drove through the phases before Thomas Clarkson peeled away from the ruck and powered over to score down the right side with three minutes remaining. Sam Prendergast held his nerve to convert from the right, putting Ireland ahead by two. (31-33)

80+2 mins – PENALTY MISSED AUSTRALIA: Bundee Aki was penalised for being off his feet, giving Donaldson a shot at goal from 40 metres, five metres in from the right sideline. Wilson asked Donaldson if he wanted the kick and the fly-half accepted, but his attempt started wide right and could not draw back. Gibson-Park grounded the ball in-goal and Ireland celebrated a dramatic victory.

Full-time: Australia 31-33 Ireland

Andy Farrell’s side arrived in Sydney already without captain Caelan Doris, first-choice fly-half Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and Mack Hansen through injury. Their squad was further depleted an hour before kick-off when Rob Baloucoune was ruled out with a hamstring problem, with Jimmy O’Brien called into the starting XV as a straight replacement on the right wing. Ireland were patched together in places, and it showed in a first half where the 10-12-13 axis of Carter Gordon, Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii tore them apart repeatedly through the midfield.

The Wallabies, by contrast, were a different animal to the side hammered 46-19 in Dublin last November. Joe Schmidt’s men played with a freedom and ambition that belied their recent record of seven defeats in eight Tests, their willingness to shift the ball wide and attack with pace causing Ireland all manner of problems. Six tries were scored inside the opening 27 minutes as the lead changed hands repeatedly before Australia pulled clear at 24-12, with Canham’s close-range try and Lonergan’s intercept-assisted score giving the home crowd genuine reason to believe their eight-year drought against Ireland was about to end.

The turning point arrived in the final four minutes of the first half. With Australia seemingly in command, Suaalii burst through the Irish midfield with a devastating fend on Ringrose and looked destined for the corner, but Keenan – playing his first Test in 16 months – produced a try-saving tackle five metres short that forced the turnover. It was the moment that kept Ireland alive, and they capitalised immediately. Rather than kicking to touch from a scrum on their own 22 with the clock in the red, Ireland chose to run. Sam Prendergast, Tadhg Furlong and Ringrose moved it through the hands before Conan burst ahead and delivered a superb offload to Gibson-Park, who raced unopposed to score under the posts. Prendergast converted and the deficit was suddenly just five.

Farrell later revealed how pleased he was with that decision. “They believe in themselves, that if everyone’s involved and we’ve got all 15 involved in our attack, then we can make things happen,” the Ireland head coach said. “The last thing we wanted to do is kick the ball away because we want to give ourselves a chance to do what we know we can do. So that was the most pleasing thing about it – the ambition to do what they know they’re good at.”

Ireland emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and were ahead within two minutes of the restart, Keenan bursting through Suaalii’s tackle on a short line from Ringrose to score beside the posts. Prendergast’s conversion made it 26-24, and the momentum had decisively shifted. Australia refused to fold – McDermott’s quick-tap try from a free kick restored the Wallabies’ lead at 31-26 – but the second half belonged to Ireland. They had five attacking entries inside the Australian 22 after the break compared to just one for the hosts, and their experience in grinding out tight finishes began to tell.

The disallowed try on 58 minutes was a moment of deep frustration for the visitors. Sheehan broke away from a rolling maul to dot down, but the TMO ruled that Ryan had illegally taken Valetini out of the defensive line while not bound. The mood darkened further when Loughman was knocked unconscious after his head caught Valetini’s knee in a tackle, forcing O’Toole to return at loosehead for the closing stages.

Ireland’s response to those setbacks spoke volumes about their resilience. Conan was immense throughout, finishing with 16 carries and a perfect 18 from 18 in the tackle count, while van der Flier led the defensive effort with 19 tackles during a typically industrious 51 minutes. The fit-again Beirne provided a step-up in energy from the bench, taking over the captaincy for the tense finale, and Timoney was a lively presence with eight carries and four defenders beaten. McCloskey continued his eye-catching spring form, making almost 50 metres from eight carries and beating four defenders of his own.

Ryan knocked on metres from the line on 65 minutes to squander one opportunity, and Donaldson then dragged a penalty wide left that would have extended Australia’s lead to eight points. Ireland sensed blood, and the decisive passage followed. Gibson-Park drew an offside penalty, O’Keeffe issued Wilson with a team warning, and Shaw was then caught offside and sent to the sin bin. Clarkson powered over, Prendergast converted, and Ireland led by two with three minutes remaining.

Donaldson had one final chance after Aki was penalised for being off his feet in the dying seconds. Wilson backed his kicker. “I backed Donno. I know he’s a good kicker and I love how he stepped up in that moment,” the Australia captain said afterwards. “He wanted it and that’s what you want from your 10.” But the kick started wide right and could not draw back.

Keenan, named player of the match, captured the emotions afterwards. “It was so tight, so intense,” the fullback told ITV. “We never gave up, dug in deep.” He acknowledged the result could easily have gone the other way, calling Australia “a top-quality side” and adding: “It was a proper Test match.”

Farrell was typically measured. “That was a hell of a game, wasn’t it? Especially for the neutral,” he said. “Australia, I thought they were awesome in the first half. We needed to come to the party a little bit more, and I think we did that after the break.” He singled out Keenan’s tackle and Prendergast’s late conversion as the decisive moments. “We talk about character the whole time,” Farrell added. “The best thing about today is that we got over the line in a big Test match. But there’s plenty to do, plenty to fix.”

Schmidt was left to reflect on what might have been. “I was really pleased with how we started the game,” the outgoing Wallabies coach said. “Right from the very start, getting that early try was important. But what we couldn’t do is what we did in the second half and give them so many opportunities to come into our 22.” The missed kicks will haunt Australia – two conversions and two penalties left 10 points on the tee across the match. On another night, the Wallabies end their eight-year drought against Ireland.

Ireland now travel to Newcastle to face Japan, who produced a stunning 27-10 opening-round victory over Italy in Tokyo. Australia host France in Brisbane, with Schmidt’s side needing to bounce back quickly in his penultimate match as coach before Les Kiss takes over. For all their imperfections in Sydney – the creaking lineout, the porous first-half defence, the lack of control in key moments – Ireland banked a result that extends their winning streak over the Wallabies to six matches. In a World Cup year, with both sides returning to this city next autumn, the lessons of this contest may yet prove significant.

Australia 31 (Tries: Pietsch 3′, Campbell 14′, Canham 24′, Lonergan 27′, McDermott 53′; Conversions: Gordon 3/5; Penalties: Donaldson 0/2)
Ireland 33 (Tries: C. Prendergast 10′, van der Flier 19′, Gibson-Park 40+2′, Keenan 47′, Clarkson 77′; Conversions: S. Prendergast 4/5)
Half-time: 24-19
Cards: Lachlan Shaw (Australia, yellow, 75′)

Australia: Jock Campbell; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa; Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa (for Nasser, 54), James Slipper (for Bell, 54), Taniela Tupou (for Alaalatoa, 54), Lachlan Shaw (for Canham, 59), Tom Hooper (for Valetini, 68), Tate McDermott (for Lonergan, 33), Ben Donaldson (for Gordon, 57), Tom Wright (for Campbell, 77).

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher (for Sheehan, 60), Jeremy Loughman (for O’Toole, 51-60), Thomas Clarkson (for Furlong, 51), Tadhg Beirne (for C. Prendergast, 51), Nick Timoney (for van der Flier, 51), Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley (for Osborne, 59), Bundee Aki (for Ringrose, 58).

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney (attendance: 41,971 – new stadium record)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Player of the match: Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

The Dave Rennie era began with a victory, but the new All Blacks head coach will know his side were pushed to the very edge in a breathless, swinging encounter that had everything a test match could offer. In front of a sold-out crowd at One New Zealand Stadium — making its own test debut — New Zealand held off a relentless France 34–32 to claim the opening fixture of the inaugural Nations Championship. It was fast, physical, wildly entertaining and decided only when Love booted the ball into the stands after the final siren.

Key moments:

• Damian Penaud crosses inside two minutes before Ruben Love is yellow-carded for a high tackle on Max Spring
• Will Jordan and Peter Lakai score to put the All Blacks ahead despite playing with 14 men
• Cam Roigard’s dummy and dart on the stroke of half-time gives New Zealand a 19–13 buffer
• Antoine Hastoy’s brilliant try restores France’s lead early in the second half
• Roigard scores his second immediately before a Brau-Boirie try is ruled out by the TMO for a Spring knock-on
• Jordan’s second try in the 71st minute, set up by a Luke Jacobson offload, provides crucial breathing room
• Matthieu Jalibert powers over with two minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish at 34–32

That France came so close with a squad missing Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Romain Ntamack and a host of Top 14 finalists tells its own story. Fabien Galthié’s side, led superbly by Maxime Lucu and driven by the class of Matthieu Jalibert, refused to accept the script at any point. Every time the All Blacks appeared to have the match in hand, France found another answer.

The visitors could not have dreamt of a better start. Inside two minutes, Penaud carved through a gap on the left wing after Spring had made a break on the right, strolling over untouched for a try that silenced the home crowd. Lucu converted, but the drama was only beginning. Referee Luke Pearce was called back to review a Love tackle on Spring in the build-up, and the fly-half’s shoulder-to-head contact earned a yellow card on his first start in the All Blacks No 10 jersey. It was hardly the beginning Rennie had imagined.

What followed, however, was the most encouraging passage of the entire match for the new coaching group. Down to 14 men and trailing by seven, the All Blacks responded with composure and attacking ambition. Savea tapped a penalty quickly and Barrett fired a magnificent cut-out pass to Jordan on the right wing, who finished brilliantly in the corner. McKenzie missed the conversion from wide, but the intent was unmistakable.

Lucu kept France in touch with two penalties, both earned through breakdown infringements, and the visitors looked dangerous every time they had possession in the All Blacks’ half. But New Zealand’s attack was beginning to click. A scintillating team try in the 20th minute — McKenzie cutting through in midfield, quick recycling, Clarke drawing defenders on the left before sending Lakai away untouched — was as good as anything the All Blacks produced all evening. Love’s conversion put the home side ahead for the first time.

The half’s decisive moment came right on the stroke of the break. Codie Taylor broke away from a lineout maul and Roigard arrived at the ruck in sharp time. The scrum-half feinted a pass, spotted the gap and darted through to score, giving New Zealand a 19–13 lead and all the momentum heading into the sheds.

If Rennie’s half-time message was about maintaining composure, it took France barely two minutes of the second period to tear it up. A passage of brilliant offloading rugby saw Brau-Boirie break in midfield before Jalibert stepped inside a defender with delicious footwork, keeping the ball alive for Hastoy. The substitute fly-half found Attissogbe on the right, whose magnificent inside ball sent Hastoy sprinting away to score. Lucu’s conversion put France back in front at 20–19, and the contest was well and truly alive.

The All Blacks’ response was immediate and clinical. Tupaea drew two defenders down the left before firing a pass to Barrett, who drew the last man and delivered the ball on a plate for Roigard to collect on the inside and race away for his second. Love converted and New Zealand led 26–20, but the match was far from settled.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 54th minute. Jalibert put up a towering bomb that Love could not field, and Brau-Boirie scooped the loose ball, stepped the final defender and scored under the posts. The stadium held its breath as Pearce referred the decision to the TMO. The replays showed Spring had got a hand to the ball first, knocking it on before it reached Love. The try was scrubbed and the All Blacks escaped. It was the kind of marginal call that decides test matches, and France were left empty-handed despite having done everything right in the build-up.

Attissogbe did cross legitimately five minutes later, finishing in the corner after sharp handling from the forwards and a lovely line from Brau-Boirie to cut the deficit to a single point. But Lucu’s conversion drifted wide and the All Blacks clung to a 26–25 advantage.

Love extended the lead to four with a straightforward penalty after Gazzotti lost his feet at the ruck, and then came the try that may have sealed it. Wallace Sititi made a damaging carry before firing a pass to Jacobson on the right wing. The Chiefs captain bumped through two tackles and got a beautiful offload away inside to Jordan, who had the gas to run it in from distance. Love missed the conversion but at 34–25 with nine minutes remaining, the All Blacks finally had breathing room.

Or so they thought. France, as they have done so often in this fixture’s history, refused to go quietly. Phase after phase pounded the All Blacks’ defensive line in the closing minutes, and with two minutes on the clock, Jalibert picked up from the base of the ruck and powered through two defenders to score. Hastoy converted to make it 34–32, and suddenly every voice in the stadium was holding its breath.

New Zealand, to their credit, managed the final 90 seconds intelligently. Ratima fed short balls to one-off runners, Sititi and Numia trucked it up, and when the siren sounded, Love launched the ball into the crowd to seal a victory that felt both hard-earned and fortunate in equal measure.

Roigard was outstanding throughout, dictating the tempo around the ruck and deserving his double. Savea was immense as captain, leading from the front with a tireless display that included a crucial second-half turnover to deny France when they were building momentum. Jordan’s two tries from the wing vindicated Rennie’s decision to move him from fullback, while the McKenzie-Love axis showed genuine promise despite the early yellow card.

For France, Lucu was superb in directing play and his kicking kept the scoreboard ticking. Jalibert produced moments of genuine class throughout, while Moefana carried with authority in midfield. The back row of Bochaton, Jégou and Gazzotti, with an average age of just 23, more than held their own against a formidable All Blacks pack.

There was a late change to the All Blacks’ matchday 23 before kick-off, with Patrick Tuipulotu withdrawn due to a tight calf. His place on the bench was taken by uncapped Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah, who came on to make his test debut in the second half.

Rennie will be pleased with the result but aware there is significant work ahead. The All Blacks’ discipline was poor at times, their handling under pressure was inconsistent, and they were fortunate the TMO intervened when it did. But the attacking intent was clear, the willingness to play with width and tempo was evident, and the bench made an impact — all hallmarks of what Rennie promised when he took the job.

If this opening clash is any indication, the Nations Championship is in for a spectacular season. The All Blacks host Italy next, while France head across the Tasman to face the Wallabies.

Match details

New Zealand 34 (Tries: Jordan 2, Roigard 2, Lakai; Conversions: Love 3/5; Penalties: Love 1/1)
France 32 (Tries: Penaud, Hastoy, Attissogbe, Jalibert; Conversions: Lucu 3/4, Hastoy 1/1; Penalties: Lucu 2/2)
Half-time: 19–13

Venue: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Peter Lakai, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Fehi Fineanganofo.

France: 15 Max Spring, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Théo Attissogbe, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jégou, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements: 16 Barnabé Massa, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Mickaël Guillard, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Nolann Le Garrec, 22 Antoine Hastoy, 23 Nicolas Depoortere.

Steve Borthwick has named Henry Pollock on the bench and opted for experience in the back row as England prepare to face South Africa in their Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Key team news:

• Henry Pollock named among the replacements, with Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum and Ben Earl starting in the back row
• George Furbank returns at full-back for his first England appearance since November 2024
• Maro Itoje rested from the tour; Jamie George captains with Chessum and Ellis Genge as vice-captains
• Five changes from the side that lost 48-46 to France in the final round of the Six Nations
• George Martin returns to the second row for his first start since the 2025 Six Nations
• Marcus Smith set for his 50th cap from the bench

Borthwick has made five changes to the starting XV that went down in that dramatic defeat to France in Paris four months ago, with the head coach leaning on a tried and tested combination as England seek to end a run of four successive Test defeats.

The most debated selection sees Pollock, 21, named at 21 on the team sheet rather than in the starting back row. The Northampton flanker has been the form player in English rugby, winning back-to-back man-of-the-match awards as Saints claimed the Premiership title, and has become a figure of fascination in South Africa, where several former Springboks have publicly relished the prospect of seeing him tested by their pack.

Ready to go 💪

Steve Borthwick has named his team for our Nations Championship opener against South Africa on Saturday, July 4 at 16:40 BST.@O2 | #WearTheRose

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 2, 2026

“We had one person come up to him in the hotel and say the South Africans are coming for you,” reported team-mate George Furbank. “It was actually a guy who was Congolese. He came up and said: ‘You’re public enemy No 1 here, mate.'”

Borthwick, however, believes the 21-year-old’s dynamism is best deployed as an impact weapon later in proceedings.

“I’ve been really pleased so many times with what Henry Pollock has done off the bench for England,” Borthwick said. “I think when there’s a bit of fatigue and space in the game it really plays to Henry’s strengths. We love his personality, his enthusiasm and his energy.”

Instead, Curry returns to the openside after a calf injury sustained in the warm-up ahead of England’s defeat to Italy in round four of the Six Nations ruled him out of the France match. He joins Chessum on the blindside and Ben Earl at number eight in a back row built for the physical examination that awaits.

The biggest return comes at full-back, where Furbank starts for the first time since November 2024 after an injury-plagued 18 months. The 29-year-old hit peak form at the end of the Premiership season, steering Northampton to the title before his summer move to Harlequins.

“George Furbank has had so many little set-backs that would really test anybody’s character and resolve and he has come through it all,” said Borthwick. “While he might not have a huge number of caps at Test level, he is an experienced, calm head and such a top-quality rugby player.”

Furbank will line up alongside Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who returns on the wing after missing the France match through injury, and Cadan Murley on the opposite flank. Murley is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting him against double World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe.

“Cheslin Kolbe has probably been the standout winger since that 2019 World Cup to be honest,” Murley told BBC Sport. “Playing the champs in their own back yard — it’s a massive challenge but an exciting one.”

Fin Smith continues at fly-half, with Jack van Poortvliet preferred to Alex Mitchell at scrum-half. Mitchell, who has had only one appearance since returning from a hamstring injury — a 70-minute substitute outing in the Premiership final — drops to the bench. The centre pairing of Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman, which finished the Six Nations together, remains intact. Borthwick’s selection of the two biggest centre options available suggests a clear awareness of the physicality South Africa will bring.

The most notable absentee is regular captain Maro Itoje, who has been rested from the July tour to avoid burnout. The 31-year-old lock has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game over the past decade, led the British and Irish Lions to a series win in Australia last year, and also played through the November window and Six Nations while mourning the death of his mother. Jamie George takes the captaincy in his Saracens team-mate’s absence.

George Martin comes in for Itoje to partner Alex Coles in the second row, making his first England start since the 2025 Six Nations. Up front, the experienced trio of Genge, George and Joe Heyes form the front row.

Borthwick has opted for a 6-2 bench split, loading the replacements with forward firepower. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Beno Obano and Asher Opoku-Fordjour provide front-row cover, with Charlie Ewels, Guy Pepper and Pollock completing the forward contingent. Mitchell and Marcus Smith, who will earn his 50th cap, are the only two backline options.

“I think we’ve got a really good bench that I want to bring on and finish the game really strong,” said Borthwick.

The head coach insisted England will not retreat into a purely defensive mindset against the world champions, pointing to the 48-46 defeat to France as evidence his young side can play with tempo and ambition against the best.

“I think we’ve got a young side that can run,” Borthwick said. “As much as everyone talks about the physical nature of the Springboks side — and they are very physical — they are a fit side. I think we’re going to need to run. We will need to score tries against a very good SA defence.”

Saturday’s match begins a demanding July schedule for England, with fixtures against Fiji in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero to follow in the coming weeks.

“Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great tests in world rugby and an opportunity we’re excited to embrace,” said Borthwick. “We’ve prepared well since we arrived here last week and I sense a real excitement within the squad to get our Nations Championship campaign underway.”

England — starting XV:

15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 27 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 6 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 51 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 68 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps) — vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 110 caps) — captain
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 80 caps) — vice-captain

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 58 caps)
17. Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
20. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
22. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 50 caps)

Match details: South Africa v England, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Saturday 5 July, 17:40 (SAST) / 16:40 (BST). Live on BBC Radio 5 Live (UK).