Chessum backs returning Martin to haunt Springboks again in Johannesburg opener

Ollie Chessum has urged England to seize the opportunity of facing back-to-back world champions South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday, insisting the squad is relishing the challenge as they open their Nations Championship tour in Johannesburg.

England have won at Ellis Park just once before, in 1972, and have not beaten the Springboks since 2021, suffering three successive defeats including the 16-15 loss in Paris at the 2023 World Cup semi-final that ended their hopes of a final appearance. Saturday’s Test is the first of three on a 25,000-mile tour spanning three continents.

“If there was no belief in the squad then we are in the wrong place,” said Chessum, who captains both Leicester and England in the absence of Jamie George. “The boys are really looking forward to it because with challenge comes an opportunity. South Africa are consecutive world champions and have got an incredibly experienced squad. They are a remarkable outfit and have probably been at their peak these last two or three years. It is a challenge, but one the group are relishing.”

England have been boosted by the returns of full-back George Furbank and lock George Martin from long-term injuries, alongside wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who missed the Six Nations with a torn hamstring. Martin’s comeback is particularly significant given the impression he made in Paris two years ago, where a thundering hit on Pieter-Steph du Toit announced him on the Test stage.

As Martin’s club team-mate at Leicester, Chessum witnessed the 25-year-old’s difficult 12-to-18-month battle with a complicated nerve problem in his shoulder. “It was a long and scary road for him,” Chessum said. “I don’t think many rugby players have got a feeling for what George has been through because it was an injury where there is no real timeline for you to come back.”

Chessum acknowledged that South Africa will be better prepared for Martin this time around. “Back in 2023 South Africa probably didn’t know too much about George Martin, but the world has seen a lot more of him since that game. I imagine the South Africans have prepared for him.”

Despite that, the blindside flanker believes the returns of Martin, Furbank and Feyi-Waboso give England genuine cause for optimism. “Him and George Furbank being back after a long time out, Manny as well — as a group we have a real responsibility to make it a special day for those boys.”

Chessum, who describes himself as a lead-by-example figure rather than a vocal presence, will assume the captaincy if Jamie George is replaced during the match — a first for the 24-year-old.