Abendanon answers England SOS
England have called up reinforcements ahead of their second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Nick Abendanon will join up with England on Monday, after being called up to replace injured fullback Mike Brown.
Abendanon is already in Johannesburg, after the wedding of former Bath teammate Pieter Dixon.
Brown will miss the rest of England's tour of South Africa with a fracture and ligament damage to his right thumb – suffered in the 17-22 loss in the opening international in Durban at the weekend.
England's Rugby Football Union said in a statement that Brown will return home this week and replaced by Abendanon.
South African-born centre Brad Barritt also has been ruled out of the second Test in Johannesburg with a lacerated left eyeball, which required minor surgery over the weekend – following the bruising encounter in Durban.
Coach Stuart Lancaster said Brown is very disappointed to be out of the tour, but "must remember he has had a fantastic season".
Lancaster added he is hopeful that Barritt will be available for the third Test in Port Elizabeth in two weeks.
"Firstly, our best wishes to Mike," Lancaster said.
"He did really well on Saturday and is very disappointed to be out of the tour but he must remember he has had a fantastic season and should be rightly proud of all that he has achieved.
"Nick is next in line from the Saxons and the fact that he is already here and can slot straight into training is a bonus."
Barritt will remain, out of hospital, in Durban to recover from the surgery he underwent on Sunday and is expected to join up with the tour party in Johannesburg at the end of the week.
Lancaster added: "Brad again put his body on the line for the team and we are hopeful he will be able to take a further part in the tour.
"Our medics and the ophthalmologist who treated Brad were fantastic and they deserve a lot of credit for their swift and expert response to this unfortunate injury."
England's next assignment is against the Southern Barbarians in Kimberley on Wednesday and the team will be announced later on Monday.
