Borthwick preferred Steward’s ability to play the ball high for the defeat against South Africa on 29–20 November and the Leicester player is the most likely candidate to replace Furbank again at Test level.
Furbank’s absence will be keenly felt by Saints, who will hope that victory in Pretoria will improve their form despite their faltering defense of the Premiership title.
Heading into Sunday’s away game against Saracens, they sit in eighth place with three wins from seven games.
“It’s a huge loss, he’s a fantastic rugby player,” added Furbank’s Vesty.
“He is the captain of our club and has really developed into a leader over the last few years. It will be a loss.
“His ability to counterattack, his ability to make others look very good, his calmness, those are really strong qualities in George that have taken him a long way.”
