England rugby player says team must fill leadership gap for South Africa test

England must fill the leadership and playing roles left by an absent lock when the team plays South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, a Northampton player said. The player noted that the absence of a senior figure creates space for others to develop. He pointed to last summer’s series in Argentina, where several players took starting positions and improved their performances.

Team selection and injuries The head coach is expected to name a second-row pairing of the Northampton player and another lock, with a third player continuing at blindside flanker. A wing competition appears settled, while an ankle injury to a full-back has opened a possible return for another candidate who last started in November 2024.

Scrum-half selection remains undecided among three contenders. The player said the squad has trained to address results from the Six Nations and hopes the work will show in upcoming matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.