South Africa is intractable in England

England corrected in her lair at Twickenham. Facing the South African world champions, XV de la Rose drank the trophy and lost dramatically at home (13-27). After an opening defeat to Argentina (29-30) and an unexpected draw with New Zealand (25-25), Eddie Jones’ men are in deep doubt less than a year after the World Cup in France.

Confident in his own strength and able to rely on a dominant forward pack in all aspects of the game, the Springboks finished well, after short defeats by Ireland (19-16) and France (30-26). After a closed half hour of play (3-6), South Africa scored first through Kurt Lee Arendse (32), concluding a marvel of teamwork and an 80-metre return. The English dominated the game and logically joined the locker room, trailing by 11 points (3-14).

From the start of the second term, Eben Etzebeth doubled the lead (50) in power, after a succession of penalties near the English line. Under water, the English then saw South Africa reduced to 14 after a red card was received by Thomas du Toit, after settling at the level of head Lok Kwan Dickie (61). Henry Slade managed to save the honor of the Englishmen (72) but the damage was done and the feat against the New Zealanders would not be repeated. Under many whistles from the English crowd, he is barely reassured before the World Cup year approaches.