England captain Maro Itoje will miss the Test against South Africa on 4 July after being rested for the summer's Nations Championship. The 31-year-old has exceeded World Rugby's recommendation of playing only 30 games per season in the last two campaigns.

Itoje, who has also dealt with the loss of his mother Florence, has been a pivotal figure for both England and Saracens, recently leading the British and Irish Lions in their series victory over Australia.

Jamie George, who previously captained England, will lead the team this summer, which features five uncapped players. Notably, Noah Caluori, the 19-year-old wing from Saracens, earns his spot after finishing joint top in the Premiership try-scoring charts with 18 tries this season, edging out competitors Adam Radwan, Tom Roebuck, and Henry Arundell.

Other significant inclusions are Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who will qualify for England on residency grounds, and specialist midfielders Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade, and Seb Atkinson. Greg Fisilau from Exeter serves as the secondary number eight, while Guy Pepper returns from injury.

With Itoje absent, George Martin and Arthur Clark are expected to step up in the second row. In the front row, Asher Opoku-Fordjour will provide versatility, covering both tighthead and loosehead positions.

Head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the new challenges presented by the Nations Championship, which replaces traditional summer tours. The squad faces demanding conditions, including altitude in Johannesburg, followed by matches against Fiji in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero.

Borthwick stated, "We've selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent. The Nations Championship presents an exciting challenge for this group." He emphasized the importance of preparation and high standards to meet the demanding summer schedule.