Full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of England’s Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday with appendicitis.

Furbank, 29, had been preparing for his first England game in nearly two years before falling ill on Friday evening.

Marcus Smith has replaced him at 15, with Henry Slade stepping up to the bench.

Steve Borthwick’s side face the world champion Springboks at 16:40 BST at the iconic Ellis park in Johannesburg.

Furbank’s inclusion had been one of the main talking points from Thursday’s team announcement.

“George Furbank has had so many little setbacks that would really test anybody’s character and resolve and he has come through it all,” head coach Steve Borthwick said on Thursday.

With that in mind, it is another desperately unlucky setback for the 29-year-old, who has suffered arm, calf, knee and concussion injuries since his most recent England appearance in November 2024.

“It feels like a significant blow to England’s attacking prospects, as well as the leadership a Prem-winning captain brings to the backfield,” said former England fly-half Paul Grayson.

Furbank impressed at full-back throughout the course of 2024, but was hit by a succession of injuries since his most recent appearance against Japan in November of that year.

However, he returned to hit top form at the back end of the latest Prem season, leading Northampton to the league title before a summer switch to Harlequins.

England: Smith; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley: F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Curry, Earl

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Obano, Opoku-Fordjour, Ewels, Pepper, Pollock, Mitchell, Slade

England have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their clash with South Africa with George Furbank ruled out.

Furbank had been due to start at full-back in his first international appearance since 2024 after a wretched run of injuries.

But the 29-year-old, who led Northampton Saints to the Gallagher Prem title, has been dealt another setback after being rushed to hospital with appendicitis ahead of the game at Ellis Park.

Furbank is understood to have begun suffering symptoms after England’s captain’s run in Johannesburg, and has been ruled out of the encounter.

With Freddie Steward – England’s other specialist full-back on tour – nursing an ankle injury, Marcus Smith is promoted into the starting side from the bench. Henry Slade comes in.

It is a significant blow for Steve Borthwick and his side, with Furbank seen as a key figure in their attacking plans this summer.

The Harlequins-bound playmaker broke his arm at the end of 2024 before enduring a heavily-disrupted 2025 due to recurring calf and knee injuries. While included in the squad, he missed he Six Nations with Furbank not featuring in England’s worst-ever championship campaign.

Borthwick’s team take on the Springboks looking to end a four-match losing run as they begin a gruelling Nations Championship itinerary. England also face Fiji (at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium) and Argentina in Santiago del Estero this July.

South Africa have had their own late chaos to contend with as captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth are ruled out.

Lisandro Martinez was the hero for Argentina as they beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32 to avoid a major World Cup scare

“I was considering retirement from football after I suffered an ACL injury last year,” an emotional Lisandro Martinez admitted following Argentina’s progression to the World Cup round of 16 on Friday night. The Manchester United defender has had a tough time with injuries since moving to Old Trafford, but in Miami he proved why he was right not to give up.

Martinez may fall into the shadow, like the rest of the team, of Lionel Messi, but there was no doubting he was his nation’s hero overnight. His incisive pass delivered another goal for Messi before he took centre stage in extra time to fire in Argentina’s second with the poise of a centre-forward.

Martinez enjoyed an excellent 98 per cent pass accuracy, including 21 passes into the final third from centre-back. The United man was not afraid to carry the ball either, completing 74 carries over the course of the game.

This offensive work did not compromise his defending either. Six clearances and four ball recoveries dragged his nation through the Cape Verde banana skin clash. This may have been Martinez’s standout performance so far this summer but it is by no means a one-off.

Throughout the World Cup, Martinez has been on top form. Having played the full 90 minutes against Algeria and Austria, keeping two clean sheets in the process, the centre-back was rested against Jordan as Lionel Scaloni saved the United man for the knockout stages. After Friday night, Martinez’s starting spot is not in doubt for his nation, but what about when he returns to England?

United have threatened to move on from Martinez during his injury absences. While he was missing for nearly the entirety of 2025, other players stepped up to the plate.

Matthijs de Ligt became one of the first names on the teamsheet until a back injury halted his momentum. Harry Maguire enjoyed a new lease of life under Michael Carrick and earned himself a new contract in the process.

Meanwhile, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven both positioned themselves to be the future of the United defence. Heaven particularly stood out away at Chelsea, while Yoro, after a ropey start to the campaign, found his feet again and ended the season brightly.

It raises the question of where Martinez fits into United’s plans. He started and finished all three of United’s final matches of the season but it is difficult to make a point when the job has already been done.

Due to injuries and suspensions, Martinez played fewer than half of United’s Premier League matches last season. Such a return does not make a new contract offer a guarantee and, with his current deal expiring in 2027, next season was always going to be make or break.

But Martinez is showing this summer that he can still be the defender United need him to be. Maguire will be 34 when next season ends and nobody is sure whether De Ligt will be the same player he was pre-injury.

While Yoro and Heaven are United’s future, the Reds will need experience and, at 28, Martinez can offer that. If the fan favourite can stay injury-free next season and replicate his World Cup form in the Premier League, there is no reason the defender cannot earn himself a new deal.

There was some debate among fans over whether United needed to buy another centre-back this summer given the issues they had in defence last season. There was never a suggestion from United they were open to selling Martinez and he looks back to his best at the World Cup.

It seems the international tournament has provided Martinez’s United career with a boost when he needed it most.

Betfred Super League Magic WKND

Huddersfield (6) 24

Tries: Patolo, Dunford, Russell, Flanagan Goals: Flanagan 4

York (14) 36

Tries: Bennison 2, Hunter 2, Nofoaluma, Williams, Bamforth Goals: Hunter, Bennison 3

York Knights picked up the first victory of Magic Weekend 2026 with an entertaining 36-24 win over fellow Super League strugglers Huddersfield Giants.

Knights’ fifth league win of the season takes them above Toulouse before their match against fellow French side Catalans Dragons on Saturday evening.

Two tries each from Cody Hunter and Jon Bennison – as well as one apiece from David Nofoaluma, Nikau Williams and Denive Balmforth – sealed York’s second successive win and the two points at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Chris Patolo, Zane Dunford, Oli Russell and George Flanagan all scored for the Giants in a match that got away from them early in the second half as they remain rooted to the bottom of the Super League standings.

More to follow.

Huddersfield: Flanagan; Swift, Zenon, Wrench, Milne; Lolohea, Russell; Rogers, Woolford, Patolo, O’Donnell, Dunford, Cozza.

Interchanges: Geyer, Powell, Rushton, Greenwood.

York: Mata’afa; Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma; Hunter, McShane; Martin, Inman, Va’a, Field, Buchanan, Thompson.

Interchanges: Balmforth, Vaughan, Hudson, Hingano.

Referee: Tara Jones.

The Minnesota Vikings better make a big splash in 2026 because about half of their starting offensive lineup is scheduled to hit the free-agent market in 2027. Of course, Minnesota has the option to re-sign some or all of the following players; it’s just unlikely that every single one would return.

Listed in alphabetical order, here’s the list.

Vikings’ 2027 Offense Could Look Dramatically Different

1. Blake Brandel (C)

Brandel is on deck to start at center this year, and he’s been attached to the Vikings since 2020, believe it or not. He’s basically played every position on the offensive line in the last six seasons, with an almighty audition at center upcoming.

The Vikings may lock him down this summer in the off-chance he excels at center, saving some dough, just in case. For example, if Brandel performs at a Top 15 clip among all NFL centers, signing him now for two more years at $6 million per season will be a steal of a deal by 2027.

2. T.J. Hockenson (TE)

Hockenson hasn’t quite posted his 2022 or 2023 numbers since tearing his ACL late in the 2023 campaign, but he has a chance to erupt in 2026 with Kyler Murray in the huddle. Murray helped to shape Trey McBride into a Top 2 tight end down in Arizona. He knows how to get the ball to tight ends.

You should expect an uptick from Hockenson, but we shall see if that’s enough for an extension next offseason. Some thought the Vikings might draft Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, but the New York Jets beat them to it.

SI.com‘s Joe Nelson wrote earlier this offseason, “Finding a tight end may be more likely in free agency than the draft, but with T.J. Hockenson entering his final season under contract, there’s a high chance that Minnesota is at least interested in tight ends in the 2027 draft.”

“Among the best tight ends at this point in the draft process, we’re looking at Jamari Johnson (Oregon), Trey’Dez Green (LSU), Terrance Carter Jr. (Texas Tech), and DJ Vonnahme (Iowa).”

3. Jauan Jennings (WR)

Jennings signed with the Vikings on a base salary of $8 million that climbs to $13 million if he balls out. He’s probably using Minnesota as a stepping stone to a large contract — somewhere — in 2027. Kevin O’Connell should capitalize on the Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jennings combo because it’s likely a one-hit wonder.

4. Aaron Jones (RB)

Jones will not get an extension this offseason; he already accepted a paycut in March. In all likelihood, because he will turn 32 this season, this will be his final year in purple. It’s up to him to make the most of it and stay healthy.

Our Brevan Bane noted last month, “The 31-year-old back understands the gravity of the situation in Minnesota, and he also understands that he won’t have many more opportunities to go out and win a Super Bowl ring. Aaron Jones, and every other player on the roster, would benefit the greatest amount from doing everything he can to be there for each QB when needed.”

“Jones brings priceless experience and mentorship, even if he plays an entire different position. Apparently, his relationship with J.J. McCarthy is strong enough that he doesn’t mind asking for a ride from the airport.”

5. Jordan Mason (RB)

Mason, on the other hand, is only 27 and could reasonably fetch an extension. He’ll probably out-touch Jones within the Vikings’ offense due to his durability and efficiency. He accrued 4.8 yards per carry in 2025 to Jones’s 4.2.

Minnesota could add an extra year or two onto his contract before the regular season begins.

6. Kyler Murray (QB)

Murray has one ginormous chance to a) strut his stuff in Minnesota and land a monster contract extension during the 2027 offseason with the Vikings b) underperform and hit free agency as a journeyman-to-be passer.

Because the Vikings let Sam Darnold walk — the rest is history — there is zero chance that they’ll allow Murray to depart if he plays great with the Vikings in 2026. It’s a do-or-die year for Murray to prove if he’s a franchise quarterback or a guy who bounces around looking for stable employment.

7. Brian O’Neill (RT)

Unless Harrison Smith returns, O’Neill is suddenly the longest-tenured Viking on the current roster. Accordingly, the decision to extend him shouldn’t be that complicated. He’s dependable, good, and a lifer.

It’s also not easy to find foundational offensive tackles. O’Neill will turn 31 in September. He could have a full half-decade left.

The Vikings will probably extend his contract by three years or so, with around $25 million per season heading his way. Getting rid of O’Neill next offseason would be truly bizarre.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

At this point, no Fourth of July is complete without Joey Chestnut.

Americans everywhere will run to their television sets at noon on America’s 250th birthday as the world’s greatest eater will aim to eat one hot dog for every year the U.S. has been in existence.

OK, that might be a stretch, but it is already a foregone conclusion that Chestnut will earn his 18th Mustard Yellow Belt in 19 attempts on Saturday afternoon.

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Joey Chestnut wins the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th win after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

The greatness began in 2007, ending a run of six straight titles won by former GOAT Takeru Kobayashi, who actually injured his jaw ahead of that contest. Chestnut’s 66 hot dogs defeated Kobayashi’s 63 in a preview of a legendary career to follow.

A rivalry ensued between the two, with Chestnut narrowly beating Kobayashi the next two years, including via a tiebreaking eat-off in 2008. When Kobayashi was banned from the event in 2010, Chestnut took off.

Chestnut had won each title from 2007 through 2014, but he was the victim of a massive upset in 2015 to Matt Stonie, losing 62-60. But Stonie’s glory was short-lived, and Chestnut went on to win each of the next eight events.

There was a new champion in 2024, but not because Chestnut lost – he actually was barred from competing after signing a brand deal with a Nathan’s rival. After much back and forth, Chestnut was allowed back in for the 2025 event with just weeks to spare, and he reclaimed the title with 70.5 dogs and buns.

Joey Chestnut visits “The Claman Countdown” with host Liz Claman at Fox Business Network Studios on July 02, 2025 in New York City. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

JOEY CHESTNUT REFLECTS ON RETURN TO HOT DOG EATING CONTEST AFTER CONTRACT DISPUTE, TEMPORARY BAN

“It was great. The audience is awesome, it’s electric. It’s good to be back after mending some fences,” Chestnut recently told Fox News Digital of his return last year. “I do what I love. I got the best job in the world. I get to eat, travel, beat the heck out of people, and meet happy people. So it was great to be back.”

Not all of Chestnut’s titles have come easily. In 2022, Chestnut’s eating was interrupted by a protester, but he miraculously put him in a chokehold and went back to business; he still managed to down 63 dogs and buns.

Even his likely championship on Saturday will not come without a wrinkle, as his 2026 eligibility was actually in doubt for a little bit amid a charge of battery. Chestnut drunkenly slapped a man at a bar in Indiana and pleaded guilty to the charge in April. He is currently serving 180 days of probation, but was granted permission to travel for the event.

His all-time record is 76, which he set back in 2021. It broke his own record of 75 from the year prior, which beat another previous record of 74 from 2018.

And while most are watching for one reason, Chestnut believes that this event is much more than just watching him.

FILE – Joey Chestnut, winner of the 2021 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, poses for photos in Coney Island’s Maimonides Park, July 4, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman, File)

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“It’s never about me,” he said to Fox News in May. “It’s not even about the hot dogs. It’s the Fourth of July. It’s an eating contest, but really, it’s a Fourth of July celebration, it’s a celebration in New York. And that contest, it’s hard to describe exactly.

“It’s an event, it’s more than just an eating contest. It’s part of the Fourth of July celebration for New York City, and I’m just a very little part of it. And when it comes to that celebration, I’m very happy that I was able to come back and be part of people’s Fourth of July.”

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Tim Hardaway Jr. grew up in Miami, where his father is simply a legend.

After spending his first six-and-a-half seasons with the Golden State Warriors, the Heat acquired Tim Hardaway Sr. in a trade, and he became one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

Now, the junior will follow in his father’s footsteps, agreeing to a $6.5 million deal to join the Heat and be one of the shooters around the soon-to-be formally acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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Miami Heat’s Tim Hardaway drives to the basket on the New York Knicks’ Charlie Ward in the first quarter of the fourth game of their first-round playoff series at Madison Square Garden. (Stan Honda/Getty Images)

Hardaway’s No. 10 was retired by the Heat in 2009, and to keep it in the family, his son has worn the number in three of his five NBA stops.

The Heat are his sixth, but the son must still listen to his dad, and No. 10 is off limits.

“My legacy is my legacy. Even though he likes to wear No. 10, that is not coming down from the rafters,” Tim Hardaway Sr. said on WQAM radio in Miami. “That is tough to do. And when it’s up there, you want (it) to stay up there, and you don’t want nobody to touch it.

“I love him. I love him. I’m happy for him… Watching him play through college and the NBA, he’d been to three places I’d never been: the Final Four, a championship, and now, he’s going to his hometown team. I never done that, and so, I’m happy that he’s doing it.

Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Detroit Pistons speaks to Tim Hardaway Sr. before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during the Emirates NBA Cup game on Dec. 3, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

LEBRON JAMES THANKS LAKERS AHEAD OF FREE AGENCY DEPARTURE FOR 24TH NBA SEASON: ‘HOPE I MADE A FEW PROUD’

“But no, he can’t wear No. 10.”

The elder Hardaway finished fourth and sixth in the MVP vote and was named to the All-NBA First Team and two All-NBA Second Teams during his tenure. The franchise won its fourth title four years after he left with the help of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.

Hardaway Jr. has previously worn plenty of other numbers in his other stops, like No. 5 and No. 3, but those are unavailable thanks to current Heat player Nikola Jovic and Wade, respectively. No. 11, which he wore with the Dallas Mavericks, is also taken by Jaime Jacquez Jr.

Tim Hardaway Sr. and Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks chat prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the 2023 NBA Global Games Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena on Oct. 5, 2023, in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates. (Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images)

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So, he may have to fork over something to Trevor Keels, who played eight games with the Heat wearing No. 8.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The Minnesota Vikings cut ties with guard Ed Ingram during the 2025 offseason, trading him to the Houston Texans for a 6th-Round pick, which would later turn into new running back Demond Claiborne of Wake Forest. And while Vikings fans will wait to see if Claiborne turns into the next big thing, Ingram claimed this week that landing in Houston was the best thing ever to happen to him.

Indeed, Ingram reclaimed his career outside of Minnesota.

Houston Found the Version Minnesota Never Got

Ingram Pounds Table for Current Employer

Ingram spoke to a new station in Houston this week, KPRC2, and was all smiles about the Texans: “What better place for them to be than Houston? I came here, I excelled. Shout out to Cole Popovich. He never let me get complacent, and he always challenged me.”

“Personally, I’ve always thought I’m a great player. All I need is the right person to help me. Coming here was probably the best thing to ever happen to me in my career, coming here and having a coach.”

Vikings fans were actually relieved when Minnesota traded Ingram in March 2025. To an extent, the joke was on them.

Ingram continued, “Pretty much take me under his wing and kind of hone in my skills, because the skills were there. It just needed to be honed in and just controlled a little bit. It has helped me out tremendously.”

“I love Houston, I love this team. It’s just like an energy you feel just walking into the building with this team. The Houston Texans, it’s a different feeling. Everybody’s close, tight-knit. We all are in this together.”

The Change of Pace in Houston

Ingram serves as an NFL reminder that player development isn’t always linear.

During his time with the Vikings, the former 2nd-Round pick struggled to find consistency. Pro Football Focus grades reflect this performance: 57.0 overall in 2022, 59.5 in 2023, and 54.0 in 2024 before Minnesota traded him. However, after being acquired by Houston, Ingram’s performance dramatically improved. In 2025, his overall PFF grade soared to 73.8, buoyed by an impressive 79.9 run-blocking mark. The rebound was remarkable.

His penalty issues also improved substantially. He accumulated 10 regular-season penalties in three seasons with the Vikings. In contrast, he committed only two penalties with Houston in 2025, none for holding or false starts.

The Texans are now committing to Ingram long-term. It comes after he started 14 games and, according to Reuters, ranked 12th among eligible guards for the lowest pressure rate allowed.

Minnesota’s decision to part ways with Ingram wasn’t necessarily a mistake at the time; rather, Houston unlocked a superior version of the player. The change of scenery worked.

Ingram’s Replacement in Minnesota

Believe it or not, the Vikings actually downgraded by accident when getting rid of Ingram. While the trade was applauded at the time — by everyone because most didn’t think a team would spend a 6th-Rounder on him — it turned out to be a mistake.

Minnesota spent $87 million over five years on free-agent guard Will Fries, who was not worth his price tag in Year No. 1 with the Vikings. He played decently, but at $17.5 million per year, a guard should play wonderfully.

In short, the purple team paid Fries megabucks for the production Ingram showed in Houston. It is unclear why Ingram could blast off down in Texas while never taking flight in Minnesota. Some have suggested the coaching was to blame.

A Sweet New Contract

Right before the start of free agency in March, the Texans locked down their main, affording Ingram a deal worth $37.5 million over the next three seasons.

SI.com‘s Jared Koch noted at the time, “Coming aboard from the Minnesota Vikings via a trade last offseason, Ingram had proven himself more than worthy of being a starting-caliber NFL guard in just one season with Houston.”

“But that would also add to some speculation of just how much money that one year of production was worth when eyeing this week’s free agency.”

Ingram’s deal included $23.5 million in guaranteed money.

“Sure, it may deplete their overall flexibility to spend big before the free agent market opens. But considering re-working the offensive line remains atop the list of the Texans’ to-do list for this offseason, investing in that talent upfront is far from a poor way to spend your resources,” Koch continued.

“For that reason, Ingram’s deal is well worth an A grade, and adds some further excitement to how the rest of free agency could pan out for the Texans once the legal tampering window opens.”

Oddsmakers expect Houston to win nine or ten games in 2026.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker