Springboks bounce back to heap more misery on England
South Africa secured their first win under coach Rassie Erasmus and extended England’s losing streak with a thrilling 42-39 triumph in Johannesburg.
England took off in the opening stages at Ellis Park, scoring three superb tries as they flew out to a 24-3 lead after just 18 minutes.
Yet their advantage disappeared before the break, debutant winger Sibusiso Nkosi crossing twice as South Africa turned the game around to sit 29-27 in front at the break.
The second half failed to match the first in terms of points but England could not avoid a fourth successive Test defeat, a miserable run of form that increases the pressure on coach Eddie Jones just over a year out from the 2019 World Cup.
The two nations go head-to-head again in the second Test in Bloemfontein next Saturday before rounding out the series in Cape Town on June 23.
It's full time and the @Springboks have won a breathless first Test at Ellis Park.#RSAvENG pic.twitter.com/Y4NAIgM160
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 9, 2018
If Jones’ squad were feeling the pressure after their miserable recent run, they certainly did not show it during a blistering start.
After Elliot Daly opened the scoring with a penalty from inside his own half, Mike Brown – starting on the wing, rather than at full-back – broke free from two tacklers to wriggle over in the left corner.
The Springboks briefly responded with three points from the boot of Handre Pollard, only to be hit with a quick one-two that left them reeling on the ropes.
Jonny May’s well-timed pass put Daly into space on England’s left before the latter turned provider on the opposite flank for Owen Farrell, throwing a simple inside ball to set his captain scampering clear next to the posts.
However, South Africa climbed off the canvas, Faf de Klerk plunging over from close range before Nkosi’s brace, although the first owed much to Daly’s failure to deal with a bouncing ball inside his own in-goal area.
When the outstanding Willie Le Roux cruised over, with Pollard adding his third conversion, the Boks had blitzed 26 points in the space of 20 eventful minutes.
Farrell kicked a penalty to make it 29-27 before a much-needed interval, giving both players, coaching staff and also spectators the chance to draw breath at altitude.
Unsurprisingly, the break also put an end to the points spree. Pollard extended South Africa’s advantage with a penalty, though the fly-half’s effort was sandwiched between two misses that kept England in touch.
Mako Vunipola marked his 50th Test appearance with a trip to the sin bin for a late challenge on De Klerk, with the hosts quickly making the most of the extra man with a try out wide for debutant winger Aphiwe Dyantyi.
England tried to match South Africa’s first-half comeback in the closing stages, Maro Itoje reaching over the top of a ruck to score before May raced clear from inside his own territory, but the hosts held on to edge a classic.
The steady boot of Handre Pollard and first test try for Aphiwe Dyanthi amongst the highlights in the 42-39 win by the #Springboks pic.twitter.com/XOtLotX7Ue
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) June 9, 2018
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments