England suffered a humiliating defeat by South Africa at Twickenham as they lost a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final 27-13.
Eddie Jones’ men delivered the worst performance of a four-match autumn campaign consisting of a solitary victory over Japan as the 14-man Springboks, inspired by half-backs Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse, dominated.
By the end of Saturday’s first half, England had spent only six seconds in the opposition 22 and their backline had been reduced to virtual bystanders by a vast error count and the familiar disciplinary issues.
The most brainless moment arrived shortly after the break when Jonny Hill flung De Klerk out of a ruck, prompting referee Angus Gardner to reverse a penalty. Seconds later, Eben Etzebeth was over to extend the lead to 24-6.
Unlike their mesmerising comeback to force a draw against New Zealand a week earlier, there were no late heroics this time, even after replacement prop Thomas du Toit had been sent off in the 60th minute for a dangerous challenge on Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Henry Slade dashed over in the 72nd minute but pedestrian England had rarely threatened amid a lack of ideas or tempo in attack.
In contrast, the Springboks lit up Twickenham on an otherwise drab evening by running in a sensational try through Kurt-Lee Arendse, prompted by Willemse’s brilliance.
Home fans booed when the final whistle sounded.
Unfortunately for South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, he was not present to witness a comprehensive victory as he completed a two-match ban for criticising referees during the Autumn Nations Series.
Erasmus’ actions meant a half-time presentation to mark Wayne Barnes’ 100th Test as a referee was cancelled out of fear he might receive abuse after he was targeted online having overseen the Springboks’ defeat by France.
(Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
It was clear early on that Gardner had a job on his hands with multiple reset scrums and extensive back chat from both sides.
Shortly after Willemse landed a drop goal, the Springboks fly-half launched a stunning counter-attack starting on his own 22.
Accelerating into space, he found Willie le Roux, who presented Arendse with a one-on-one against Marcus Smith that the wing completed through his sheer pace.
De Klerk increased the lead to 14-3.
England changed their entire front row and also brought on wing Jack Nowell for the second half but it made no difference as Willemse booted another drop goal.
Farrell replied with a penalty but Hill’s moment of madness with De Klerk allowed the Springboks to attack. England’s Tom Curry was then sent to the sin-bin for a ruck offence and Etzebeth touched down under the posts.
De Klerk converted and rifled over another three points, only for Du Toit to receive his marching orders.
England were finally over in the 72nd minute, Slade darting over to end a long-range move started by Nowell, but they had nothing left in the tank against a resolute South Africa.
“We are disappointed we didn’t play how we wanted to,” said England’s Aussie coach Eddie Jones.
“We did a few things at the start of the game and got a bit disappointed and dropped our energy a bit. It took until the game had gone to start playing how we wanted to. South Africa do things to you that are sometimes difficult to deal with. In the first half, they won all the air and we were on the back foot all the time. We have to win the air, particularly on a day like today, and we didn’t.
“We are disappointed with our performance today but it’s 11 months until the World Cup and a lot can happen. We will rise to the occasion and we have a good group of players but we didn’t land a shot like we wanted to today.
“You have to win contests. We didn’t win the air or the set-piece so it’s hard to get in the game. We lost two of the key contests but we will improve in those areas. Results tell you everything and that is what we are judged by but I feel like there is growth in the team, which we have seen, but wasn’t evident today.
“I think about where we are going towards a World Cup. Obviously we want to win games and be successful but are we moving in the right direction? Yes we are.
“I have coached for a number of years and I believe I can coach well. People will say what they say, and there are ups and downs in sport but we didn’t play well today and I apologise for that, it’s entirely my fault.”
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said the Boks are a team improving into their World Cup defence.
“It is a big relief for us. We have been working really hard over the past few months. I know some results haven’t gone our way but the way we play but we are still grateful to get the kind of support we are getting from back home.
“England were tough at the beginning but we just stuck to our guns and tweaked a few things. We will risk it all as it is worth it – we need to find answers before the World Cup but at the same time respecting England.
“It is not that much of a difference but we are just seeing opportunities which we didn’t in the past.”
