England rest Maro Itoje for Springbok Nations Championship Test
England captain Maro Itoje has been rested for the forthcoming Nations Championship Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Itoje will miss the opening phase of the inaugural Nations Championship in a bid to avoid suffering from burn-out.
The 31-year-old lock led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia last year, then played in the November Tests and this year’s Six Nations campaigns, as well as mourning the death of his mother.
He has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game over the last decade.
After second rows Alex Coles and George Martin came through the weekend without any fitness issues, England head coach Steve Borthwick was able to rubber stamp Itoje’s break from international duty.
Borthwick has handed the captain’s armband to hooker George after he skippered England throughout 2024 before being replaced by Itoje.
“We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” Borthwick said.
“I am sure by preparing well and continuing to demand the highest standards from one another every day, we will be well placed to meet the challenge of a very demanding summer schedule.”
The 36-man squad includes five uncapped players, including South Africa-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg.However, Janse van Rensburg remains ineligible to represent England until after the Springboks Test.
The other uncapped players are Noah Caluori, Greg Fisilau, George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela.
England start their campaign against South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 4 July.
ENGLAND SQUAD FOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
FORWARDS
Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Greg Fisilau, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, George Kloska, George Martin, Beno Obano, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Guy Pepper, Henry Pollock, Vilikesa Sela
BACKS
Seb Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
SPRINGBOK SQUAD FOR NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Ntuthuko Mchunu (Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh)
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers)
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Stormers)
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Riley Norton (Stormers), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls)
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier (Bulls), Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls)
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers)