The Springboks fought back from 24-3 down to beat England 42-39 on Saturday and take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. JON CARDINELLI reports from Ellis Park.
S’bu Nkosi scored two of the Boks’ five tries on what was a thrilling evening for South African rugby. The new-look combinations took some time to gel. When the hosts got it right, they were simply unstoppable.
Siya Kolisi made history when he became the first black African to lead the Springboks in a Test. The 26-year-old flanker was put to the test several times over the course of the contest.
Ultimately, Kolisi and his leadership group held their nerve to help South Africa claim a famous comeback victory.
The result marks England’s fourth-straight Test loss under coach Eddie Jones. The knives will be out for the England mentor after this performance. Indeed, fans on both sides will be wondering how England managed to throw the game away after leading 24-3 in the first quarter.
It was in that period of play where Rassie Erasmus’ worse nightmares came true. Despite most predictions, England opted to run at the Bok defence rather than test the rookie wingers with a series of high bombs.
The ease with which they made metres was frightening. England found space in the midfield and in the wider channels, and racked up a 21-point lead. It was at that stage where a record hammering – and a dismal start to Erasmus’ season-proper – appeared to be on the cards.
The Springboks, who were wanting for individual experience as well as established combinations, found a way to fight back. Duane Vermeulen was immense for the hosts at the breakdown, and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk capitalised on the quick ball provided by his forwards.
The Bok back three was absolutely devastating in the closing stages of the first stanza. Nkosi set up De Klerk’s try with a powerful run, and then scored two himself. Aphiwe Dyanti, Le Roux and Nkosi combined beautifully for the right-winger’s second try.
The Springboks went to the break with a slender 29-27 lead.
The game was far tighter in the second half, with the Boks in particular looking to play for territory and extend their lead via the boot of Handré Pollard.
Mako Vunipola was sin-binned in the 63rd minute, and when Dyantyi scored soon after that, the game appeared to be the Boks’ to lose. England continued to fight in the dying stages, though, and the Boks were made to work for a narrow win.
Springboks – Tries: Faf de Klerk, S’bu Nkosi (2), Willie le Roux, Aphiwe Dyantyi. Conversions: Handré Pollard (4). Penalties: Pollard (3).
England – Tries: Mike Brown, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Jonny May. Conversions: Farrell (4). Penalties: Elliot Daly, Farrell.
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane/Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant.
England – 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Denny Solomona.
Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images
