Springboks Open the Nations Championship with an Impressive Victory
Johannesburg, Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park)
Attendance: 52,790
Reigning world champions South Africa made a winning start to the inaugural World Rugby Nations Championship, defeating England 45–21 on Saturday, July 4, at the iconic Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
In front of a crowd of 52,790 spectators, the Springboks once again demonstrated why they remain the benchmark in world rugby. Even without two of their biggest stars, Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, who withdrew from the squad before kick-off, Rassie Erasmus’ side controlled proceedings throughout and secured the attacking bonus point early in the second half.
England, meanwhile, showed great resilience by mounting an impressive comeback before half-time, but ultimately lacked the firepower to match the hosts’ intensity during the final 40 minutes.
First Half
South Africa made an explosive start, immediately putting England’s defence under heavy pressure.
3′ – 5-0
Following sustained pressure close to the try line, tighthead prop Thomas du Toit (No. 3) crashes over from a pick-and-go to score the opening try of the match.
6′ – 10-0
After a powerful break from loosehead prop Ox Nché (No. 1), the ball is moved swiftly through the backline before Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) finishes in the corner for South Africa’s second try.
7′ – 12-0
Kolbe converts his own try.12′ – 17-0
The Springboks strike again.
Following another dominant set-piece and excellent ball movement, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse (No. 11) touches down for South Africa’s third try.
In the 15th minute, England appeared to get on the scoreboard through captain Jamie George (No. 2) after a sustained 12-phase attack.
However, the TMO overturned the on-field decision, ruling the try out for offside.
The physical battle up front reflected the size of both packs:
South Africa: 929 kg
England: 916 kg
In the 28th minute, Kurt-Lee Arendse (No. 11) was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.Two minutes later, Ellis Genge (No. 1) grounded the ball following a kick ahead, but the TMO confirmed he had stepped into touch before scoring.England refused to back down.
36′ – 17-5
After sustained pressure near the line, Ellis Genge (No. 1) scores England’s opening try.
36′ – 17-7
Finn Smith (No. 10) adds the conversion.
40+1′ – 17-12
On the stroke of half-time, lock George Martin (No. 5) powers over for England’s second try.
40+2′ – 17-14
Finn Smith converts, reducing the deficit to just three points at the break.
Second Half
The Springboks emerged from the dressing room determined to put the match beyond England’s reach.
45′ – 22-14
Scrum-half Grant Williams (No. 9) slices through the English defence to score South Africa’s fourth try.
46′ – 24-14
Kolbe converts, securing the attacking bonus point for South Africa.In the 48th minute, England squandered a promising opportunity after Finn Smith knocked the ball on just metres from the try line.
57′ – 29-14
Following a swift move across the backline, centre Damian de Allende (No. 12) scores the Springboks’ fifth try.
58′ – 31-14
Kolbe’s conversion is successful.70′ – 31-19
England respond through Alex Coles (No. 4), who scores the visitors’ third try.
71′ – 31-21
Finn Smith converts.
Around the same period, the TMO reviewed a suspected high tackle by a South African player, with the incident referred to the bunker review system.
73′ Replacement Guy Pepper (No. 20) receives a yellow card for tackling a player without the ball, reducing England to 14 men.
South Africa capitalised immediately.
75′ – 36-21
Hooker Malcolm Marx (No. 2) finishes from a driving lineout maul.
76′ – 38-21
Kolbe converts once again.
80′ – 43-21
Replacement Ben-Jason Dixon (No. 20) finishes another powerful pick-and-go move for South Africa’s seventh try.
80+1′ – 45-21
Kolbe, celebrating his 50th Test cap, lands the conversion to complete the scoring.In the closing seconds, Jesse Kriel (No. 13) crossed the line, but the try was ruled out after a knock-on earlier in the attacking move.
Match Summary
South Africa reinforced their status as reigning world champions and early favourites to win the inaugural World Rugby Nations Championship. After an explosive opening, the Springboks weathered England’s late first-half resurgence before completely dominating the second half.
For Steve Borthwick’s side, the defeat extends a difficult run of results. However, their spirited finish to the opening half offers encouragement ahead of their second-round clash against Fiji in Liverpool.
Scorers:
South Africa3′ – Thomas du Toit (No. 3) – Try6′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – Try7′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – Conversion12′ – Kurt-Lee Arendse (No. 11) – Try45′ – Grant Williams (No. 9) – Try46′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – Conversion57′ – Damian de Allende (No. 12) – Try58′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – Conversion75′ – Malcolm Marx (No. 2) – Try76′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – Conversion80′ – Ben-Jason Dixon (No. 20) – Try80+1′ – Cheslin Kolbe (No. 14) – ConversionEngland36′ – Ellis Genge (No. 1) – Try36′ – Finn Smith (No. 10) – Conversion40+1′ – George Martin (No. 5) – Try40+2′ – Finn Smith (No. 10) – Conversion70′ – Alex Coles (No. 4) – Try71′ – Finn Smith (No. 10) – Conversion
Team Line-ups
South Africa:
Starting XV: Ox Nché, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 5. Ruan Nortjé, 6. Pieter de Villiers, 7. Cameron Hanekom, 8. Jasper Wiese, 9. Grant Williams, 10. Manie Libbok, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 15. Damian Willemse.
Replacements:
16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Vincent Porthen, 19. Marco van Staden, 20. Ben-Jason Dixon, 21. Canan Moodie, 22. André Esterhuizen, 23. Cobus Reinach.
Head Coach: Rassie Erasmus
England
Starting XV: Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George (captain), 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Alex Coles, 5. George Martin, 6. Ollie Chessum, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl, 9. Jack van Poortvliet, 10. Finn Smith, 11. Cadan Murley, 12. Seb Atkinson, 13. Theo Freeman, 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 15. Marcus Smith.
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. Guy Pepper, 21. Harry Pollock, 22. Alex Mitchell, 23. Henry Slade.Head Coach: Steve Borthwick
Photo Credits: England Rugby, South African Rugby, World Rugby Nations Championship, Rugby Mania.