All eyes on Henry Pollock as England aim to think big against South Africa

England have made five changes to their starting XV to face South Africa in the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, with Northampton's Henry Pollock left on the bench.

Head coach Steve Borthwick backed the experience of Tom Curry and Ben Earl over Pollock following a Six Nations campaign where England lost four consecutive matches. George Martin from Saracens replaces captain Maro Itoje, while Leicester's Jack van Poortvliet starts at scrum-half ahead of Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer.

George Furbank and Manny Feyi-Waboso were recalled after missing recent action, replacing Elliot Daly and Tom Roebuck respectively. Furbank will make his first start since November 2024, while Feyi-Waboso sat out the Six Nations through injury. Ollie Chessum will wear the number six jersey.

After 11 straight wins in 2025, England's momentum crashed during the Six Nations. An RFU review backed Borthwick and his staff to continue through to next year's World Cup in Australia. Playing South Africa at Ellis Park represents one of world rugby's greatest tests. "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.

England have not won at Ellis Park in 54 years, with their last victory in 1972. The Springboks, double world champions, present a formidable challenge.

Wing Cadan Murley outlined the required mindset: "You have to go out there with a mindset to score tries. The biggest thing we've focused on is what is the England way and finding that."

Lock Alex Coles added: "It's more about doing it better than we have been doing. And in Paris we did. So we feel like we've put ourselves in a good place to go and test our identity. And what better way than against the best team in the world."