South Africa vs England LIVE
England opened their Nations Championship campaign with a heavy 45-21 defeat by South Africa at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday. Steve Borthwick’s men faced the world champions for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, where the Springboks eked to a 16-15 victory.
Here, they started with a bang, running in three scores inside 13 minutes. Thomas du Toit opened the scoring, before Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse added their names to the scorecard in an ugly opening 20 minutes for the visitors, who had been run ragged. Arendse was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on halfway through the first period, and England rallied, scoring through Ellis Genge and George Martin before the break.
But upon the two sides’ return, the hosts were ruthless in their dispatching of their opponents. Grant Williams extended the lead on 44 minutes, before Jesse Kriel ran in another. Malcolm Marx powered over for another late on, after Alex Coles had given England a glimmer of hope. Up next for Borthwick’s side is a trip to Liverpool to face Fiji next week.
South Africa vs England latest updates
TRY! Kriel scores another TRY! Williams adds bonus point TRY! Martin powers over TRY! Genge scores for England TRY! Arendse adds thirdLive updates
FT: South Africa 45-21 England
There we have it. What a stunning performance from the Boks, who open their Nations Championship with a magnificent victory.Back to the drawing board for Borthwick.
Try! South Africa 45-21 England
80 mins: The world champions have another, and it’s Dixon who dives over the whitewash.
South Africa 38-21 England
77 mins: Ewels is on for Coles.
Try! South Africa 38-21 England
76 mins: South Africa have another, with the driving maul hurtling towards the line. Marx is the one that touches down, and Kolbe converts once more.
South Africa 31-21 England
75 mins: Another yellow! Pepper is gone too for an early tackle off the ball! England down to 13.
South Africa 31-21 England
72 mins: Yellow card! Freeman is sent to the bin after he catches his man with a high tackle, shoulder to head.
Try! South Africa 31-21 England
69 mins: England try and grind their way to the line, as Slade comes in with a brave, clever line. Alex Coles is the one to bundle over as Smith converts.
South Africa 31-14 England
67 mins: Oh, and Henry Pollock is on, if you didn’t hear the cacophony of boos around Ellis Park Stadium.
South Africa 31-14 England
65 mins: Esterhuizen and Wessels are on for Wiese and Steenekamp.
Opoku-Fordjour comes on for Heyes.
South Africa 31-14 England
61 mins: Penalty, South Africa. The scrum collapses, and the hosts have a chance to kick for touch once more.
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