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Watch: The incredible comeback victory that foreshadowed the Springboks' World Cup success
In 2019, South Africa entered the World Cup final as underdogs. No team had ever won a final after already losing a match in the pool stages of the competition and the Springboks had suffered defeat at the hand of the All Blacks in their opening fixture. There was also the small fact that England’s form over the last six months had been simply more impressive.
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The Springboks, however, had honed their trade at winning matches they had no business winning and promptly unravelled England to be crowned world champions.
You only have to look back to part-way through the prior year to see that South Africa had England’s number and even when things looked grim, they were going to let their English rivals come out on top.
England travelled to South Africa for a three-match tour in June 2018 with expectations low. Eddie Jones’ men were sitting on a three-match losing streak, having been bested by France and Ireland at the tail-end of the Six Nations and then battered by the Barbarians, 63-45.
A tour to the Republic isn’t easy even at the best of times but on the back of their current form, England were staring down the barrel of a whitewash.
History was also not on England’s side.
England has only won 23 percent of their matches against the Springboks in South Africa, with their last win occurring in Bloemfontein in 2000. Who do you think will win when England faces the Springboks again this month? https://t.co/jnmUuZhDqd #Rugby #Springboks #England
— FinGlobal (@FG_Emigration) June 8, 2018
England fans’ confidence wasn’t helped by the fact that Eddie Jones named Mike Brown to start on the wing with Elliot Daly preferred at fullback in the first Test of the series.
Absolutely agree, where does that thinking come from!
— Big Ridge (@MarkRidgway1) June 7, 2018
Why is Mike Brown on the wing…. ??
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) June 9, 2018
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He'll take Australia to a World Cup final, assist the Springboks to the trophy 4 years later, orchestrate a historic win for Japan over the Springboks & lead England to consecutive 6 Nations trophies.
But if Eddie Jones selects a fullback on the wing, fans will lose their shit.
— Ali Stokes (@alistokesmedia) June 7, 2018
Sir Clive Woodward wasn’t especially happy with the selection either, writing “At Ellis Park, with the home crowd baying and a few ‘bombs’ coming down from the stratosphere, I would be more than happy to see him at fullback.”
“But that’s it. For me he’s a 15 or he doesn’t play. I have seen nothing from him to suggest he can operate at the top level on the wing.”
It wasn’t Brown’s first start on the wing – but his previous runs in the 11 jersey hadn’t been roaring successes, like in the big loss to the Barbarians.
In a shock twist, however, England raced out to a big lead over Siya Kolisi-captained Springboks.
Brown, Daley and Owen Farrell all touched down within the first quarter, helping the travelling side to a 24-3 lead.
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Chris Robshaw wins penalty for the first penalty.
Mike Brown finishes brilliantly for the first try.
The UK media, and a great many England fans #RSAvENG pic.twitter.com/0np73nU8WZ
— Tim Cocker (@cocker) June 9, 2018
Quickly, hope reappeared for the English; their run of bad luck was finally turning around.
Wow. This seems like a completely different England rugby team. Long may it continue ?#SAvEng
— Will Marsh (@willmarsh72) June 9, 2018
But then things turned to custard, with the Springboks mounting the biggest comeback in tier-1 rugby history.
By halftime, South Africa had clocked up four tries of their own and taken the lead back from the tourists. Two of those tries came from the debutant on the wing, S’busiso Nkosi.
Springboks take an impressive 29-27 lead into the break after being behind by 21 points. Absolutely great to watch, nerves have settled #SAvsENG Faf de Klerk has played a phenomenal role
— Justin Ford (@JustinFordZA) June 9, 2018
What an amazing half England 24-3 up after 16mins before Boks reply with 26 unanswered points #RSAVENG pic.twitter.com/FfeiOnN9qv
— Mike Pearce Rugby (@MPsportsdragon) June 9, 2018
This is the most bonkers game of rugby I’ve seen – and it’s only halfway through.#RSAvENG
— Des Kelly (@TheDesKelly) June 9, 2018
The home side held on their lead for the remainder of the game, with Aphiwe Dyantyi scoring the Springboks’ only try of the second half. England managed two of their own through Maro Itoje and Johnny May but the boot of Pollard ensured that South Africa emerged victorious in the 80th minute.
What a game! What a win! What a test match!!! Wow!!! Springboks beat England 42-39 #SAvENG
— Lonwabo Nkohla (@LonwaboNkohla) June 9, 2018
To complete a day of superb sporting comebacks, the #SiyaKolisi led #Springboks ?? showed huge character as they scored five tries on their way from 21 points behind to beating England ??????? 42-39 in the first test at Emirates Airline Park. #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/qrieMArVtK
— Crucial Selekta ???? (@CrucialSelekta) June 9, 2018
I need to go watch more rugby games, well done boys ? #SAvENG #Springboks #LoveRugby #kolisiday
— Temba Bavuma (@tbavuma10) June 9, 2018
What a win for South Africa.
Collossal schtones to come back from 24-3 down. Superb stuff #RSAvENG
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) June 9, 2018
For that young team, to win that game from 24-3 down, was exceptional. Siya led calmly in a crisis, Duane and Willie were magnificent lieutenants, Faf buzzed and the rest roared. Wonderful wonderful wonderful. #RSAvENG #SAvENG
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) June 9, 2018
The game held extra significance because Siya Kolisi took the mantel of Springboks captain for the first time in his career. It also marked the first time ever that the team had been captained by a non-white player.
Even with all the cards falling England’s way in the first half, a Springbok side spurred on by the opportunity to write their names in the record books couldn’t be stopped.
Less than two years later, the Springboks had the opportunity to make history again in Japan when they faced up against an England side thirsting for a title.
Although England entered the game as favourites, the writing was on the wall: the Springboks wouldn’t be stopped.
Comments on RugbyPass
Says much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
1 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments