England sweat over Murley and Steward injuries ahead of Fiji clash after South Africa mauling

England head into their home Test against Fiji on Saturday carrying a growing injury crisis in the back three, with wing Cadan Murley and full-back Freddie Steward both doubtful for the Hill Dickinson Stadium clash in Liverpool. The pair join George Furbank on the casualty list after England were hammered 45-21 by South Africa at Ellis Park.

Furbank was withdrawn from the starting XV before the Springboks match after having his appendix removed at a Johannesburg hospital on Friday. Unable to travel home with the squad on Sunday night, he was replaced at full-back by Marcus Smith against the world champions.

Murley is carrying a shoulder problem while Steward has an ankle concern, and head coach Steve Borthwick is awaiting full assessments before deciding whether reinforcements are needed. “I don’t know the extent of the bumps and bruises,” Borthwick said. “When I get a full understanding of that, I will make a decision on who will come into the squad.”

One piece of positive selection news for Borthwick is the arrival of Benhard Janse van Rensburg into the eligibility frame. The South African-born centre becomes eligible for England on residency grounds on July 8 and is set to make his Test debut against Fiji at inside or outside centre.

“He’s an excellent player, a very strong ball-carrier, a formidable tackler and works exceptionally hard off the ball,” Borthwick said of Janse van Rensburg. “The most important thing, on top of that, is the character he brings. He’s an incredibly positive, energetic guy who lifts those around him because of his presence.”

Beyond the personnel concerns, Borthwick identified England’s failure in the aerial battle as the defining factor in the defeat to South Africa. “On the contestable kick game they won seven kicks back and we won a couple back,” he said. “That’s a big discrepancy at this level and clearly one of the big deciding factors because that gave them field position and put pressure on the team.”

England will begin the week at their Surrey training camp before travelling north to Liverpool to finalise preparations. The tour then continues with a flight to Buenos Aires ahead of a July 18 Test against Argentina in Santiago del Estero. Saturday’s match against Fiji represents a must-win opportunity for Borthwick’s side, who are seeking to end a five-Test losing run.