Match action - starts
ENGLAND are facing a crisis barely a year out from the 2019 World Cup after five consecutive Test defeats, the latest of them as they slumped to a 2-0 series collapse against South Africa in Bloemfontein after another incoherent, indisciplined display.
Eddie Jones can talk all he likes about being judged on what England do in Japan next year, but after six consecutive losses – if you include their pre-tour defeat by the the Barbarians – he is under increasing pressure to stop the rot in Cape Town next weekend.
If this losing run continues it will not only totally destroy the credit he built during the 17-match winning run at the start of his tenure, but also, if he remains as England coach, at this rate he will lead a dispirited squad whose confidence has been shot to bits into the tournament.
Any hopes they have of being credible challengers appeared to be in tatters after another tactically rudderless second-half display in which they gave the initiative to this hungry young Springbok side.
Jones and his England assistant coaches talk about making progress, but with the exception of the incisive running and passing that opened-up South Africa in the first 15 minutes through tries by Mike Brown and Jonny May, they were outplayed – and out-passioned – by South Africa in almost every department.
The Springboks had the incentive of wanting to mark Tendai Mtawarira’s 100th cap in style, and also to celebrate captain Siya Kolisi’s birthday, and England proved willing accomplices.
Beforehand the Boks savvy new coach Rassie Erasmus said that it is character that wins you Test matches, something that cannot be coached.
Erasmus added: “You can have as many team talks as you want, your plans can be in place, and your tactics can be well understood – but those things don’t win you Test matches. Character does. It’s the individuals who have to make the right decisions on the field, the big calls. If you’ve got that in a team then you’ve also got hope.”
At the moment, with a few notable exceptions, England appear lacking in those attributes, with the backline tactical hub of Ben Youngs, George Ford, and Owen Farrell unable to dictate terms after the early flourish.
By contrast the Springbok half-backs Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard played like a couple of old pros despite still being in the foothills of their careers, while the more experienced Willie Le Roux had another excellent game at the back for the home side.
Youngs, who was outplayed again by De Klerk, could argue that the England forwards lost not only the set piece battle but the close-quarter combat in the loose. Although Brad Shields, making his first start in the Red Rose jersey, was a strong presence at the breakdown, overall the England forwards struggled to get traction.
They were not helped by Duane Vermeulen having another barnstorming match, and when Billy Vunipola was forced off with an arm injury just before half-time, the big Bok No.8 was dominant.
South Africa had been forewarned about the carrying threat posed by the No.8 and his brother Mako, and the upshot was that the England loose-head and pack-leader was consistently hit hard and low, and made little meaningful headway.
Jones’ promise to restore England to their former setpiece prowess has a hollow ring to it, and this match swung on their shortcomings when South Africa forced an attacking five metre scrum in the 49th minute, with the home side 13-12 ahead.
It came when England were slow to support May after a chip into the England 22 and Kolisi pounced on him to win a turn-over penalty. When loose-head Steven Kitshoff – who had been bought on minutes earlier – was held up in goal from the line-out drive, the Boks were ready to roll.
They had also brought heavyweight tight-head Thomas du Toit off the bench, and with Jones failing to bring on fresh props, Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola bore the brunt as England were rammed over their own line, and, as they twisted, referee Romain Poite awarded the penalty try that gave the Springboks a 20-12 lead and effectively settled the account in their favour.
England battled back, and just before the hour a powerful Shields surge for the line after a disjointed driving maul saw Franco Mostert nudge the ball from his grasp as he reached for the line.
However, when Ford was hunted down by Aphiwe Dyantyi in the 65th minute as he recovered a kick, England’s tactical compass was malfunctioning, and Pollard’s penalty punished the non-release for 23-12.
Jones sent Danny Cipriani on to try and rescue the lost cause, and when he sent Elliot Daly racing through with his first pass the evidence was there that it should have happened earlier. Daly was stopped by Le Roux’s full stretch tackle, and when Nathan Hughes’ deliberate offside saw him sin-binned the game was up for an England side looking for a miracle.
It was a sad ending to a match started at warp speed with England going on the attack but losing their way when De Klerk tackled Ford and Youngs’ pass from the ruck was intercepted by Damian de Allende. He ran from one 22 to the other before Farrell’s tap-tackle sent him tumbling.
The cut and thrust continued when Farrell put Daly clear from inside the England 22 only to be called back for a forward pass. However, a strong England shunt at the five metre scrum saw South Africa concede a penalty and the visitors cleared their lines.
A scruffy line-out win by Shields did not look like gilt-edged attacking ball but sharp footwork by Billy Vunipola meant they made yardage in midfield, and Ford’s pass to Farrell behind the first wave saw the Springbok defence outmanoeuvred.
The England captain linked with the fleet-footed May, who drew Le Roux before sending Brown racing clear for the opening try.
Farrell converted to make it 7-0, and then, in a carbon copy of last weekend’s early England onslaught they scored again soon after the restart when a Ford wrap-around and a brilliant juggle by Brown allowed May to spear through to score.
However, England were also opened up too easily and a Mtawarira charge saw Vermeulen burst past Youngs and Itoje to score. With Pollard converting and then adding a penalty to cut the arrears to 12-10 South Africa were back in business.
When in the last minute of the half he slammed over a penalty from almost ten metres inside his own half to give the Sprinboks their 13-12 half-time advantage, England knew the storm was coming – and after the break they were swamped.