Springboks unleash big-game brutality on faltering England
England was in shock. Difference aside, spectators were astounded by the difference in class between the two teams.
And this was a Springbok team that many expected to start slowly.
South Africa’s last meaningful match was in November.
They have a long list of injuries, with the late withdrawals of captain Siya Kolisi and second-row Eben Etzebeth adding to the absence of star fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and forward mainstays Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith and Frans Malherbe.
The Springboks didn’t even have a chance to maintain their traditional attacking dominance until the 21st minute.
But none of it mattered. South Africa were too talented individually and too cohesive collectively for England to make their mark.
Tries from Ellis Genge and George Martin reduced the Boks’ lead to three at half-time, raising false hopes of an England comeback at half-time.
The boxing duly re-established rugby’s new world order after the break.
“The second half was hardly a challenge,” former England fly-half Paul Grayson said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“England never got a foothold in the game and so their attacks fell apart.
“South Africa broke the door down, rarely played more than a few phases but squeezed England’s life out. They were unsophisticated and uncompromising.”
Perhaps no side could have competed with the two-time reigning world champions in such brilliant fighting spirit.
But many will think the UK should be closer to doing this.
Following the late withdrawal of George Furbank, opting for 15-year-old Marcus Smith, an excellent and versatile player but not a specialist full-back, did not solve the backfield defence.
Tommy Freeman, one of England’s best players in the air, retained his less familiar role of outside centre.
Boks took to the skies more often than not and came back with the ball, with the great Damian Willemse ruling the skies.
England had promised to play ‘big’ by combining physical prowess with tactical prowess. It was there, but only in pieces.
All three of England’s tries – Henry Slade’s perfect kamikaze angle into the heart of the Bok defence, followed by a clever mis-pass for Coles to cross for the final score – showed that intent.
An early passage of the game, in which Fin Smith and Ben Earl combined well and Jack van Poortvliet found his man with a one-handed offload behind the ball, saw them tear the hosts apart.
However, his offensive ambition and accuracy fluctuated throughout the contest.
