Springboks beat England 45-21 in Johannesburg

South Africa 45-21 England, Johannesburg

South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a powerful 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Springboks scored seven tries in a dominant display, although England fought back well before half-time after falling 17-0 behind inside the opening 12 minutes.

Both teams suffered late disruption before kick-off. England lost George Furbank to appendicitis, with Marcus Smith moving to full-back, while South Africa were without Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Pieter-Steph du Toit captained the Springboks in Kolisi’s absence.

Springboks Race Into Early Lead

South Africa started at fierce pace. Thomas du Toit powered over inside three minutes before Cheslin Kolbe, making his 50th Test appearance, stepped past Cadan Murley to score the Springboks’ second try.

Kurt-Lee Arendse then broke through Marcus Smith’s tackle and finished in the corner, leaving England staring at a 17-point deficit after a brutal opening spell.

England thought they had responded through captain Jamie George, but his try was ruled out for offside at the base of a ruck.

England Fight Back Before Break

England eventually hit back through Ellis Genge, who produced a superb solo finish from a tap penalty. The prop powered past Du Toit and broke through two more tackles to score.

Just before half-time, Fin Smith’s kick to touch was ruled a 50:22, giving England a valuable attacking platform. George Martin then charged down the left channel and forced his way through Jasper Wiese and Kolbe for a converted try.

That score cut South Africa’s lead to 17-14 at the interval and gave England hope after a difficult start.

South Africa Take Control Again

The Springboks began the second half with renewed energy. Grant Williams sold a sharp dummy from the base of a ruck and scored to restore South Africa’s control.

Jesse Kriel then crossed in the corner to stretch the lead further, before Alex Coles responded with England’s third try with 12 minutes remaining.

But England’s challenge faded after two yellow cards in quick succession. Tommy Freeman was sent to the sin bin for shoulder-to-head contact on Damian Willemse, before Guy Pepper followed for repeated penalty infringements.

South Africa made full use of the advantage. Malcolm Marx scored from a driving maul before Ben-Jason Dixon crossed late for the Springboks’ seventh try, sealing a convincing opening win.

Team line up:

South Africa XV: Willemse; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Marx, T du Toit, P-S du Toit (capt), Nortje, De Villiers, Hanekom, Wiese

Reserves: Wessels, Steenekamp, Porthen, Van Staden, Dixon, Reinach, Esterhuizen, Moodie

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

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