Boks win despite red card
South Africa defeated England at Twickenham for the first time in eight years in a 27-13 statement by the world champions yesterday – less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup.
England, runners-up to South Africa at the last World Cup but struggling to find themselves, bulked up their lineout options and predicted they would have an edge in the scrum. But they were beaten up in both set-pieces as the Springboks manhandled the English pack and suffocated their backs.
Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a try in a sixth consecutive test and Eben Etzebeth rewarded the forwards with a second-half try. Four goalkicks by Faf de Klerk and two dropped goals by Damian Willemse reflected an impressive performance on the scoreboard.
South Africa were up 27-6 and down a man after prop Thomas du Toit was sent off when England finally crossed the tryline in the 71st minute through Henry Slade.
That was about the time England started a remarkable comeback against New Zealand from 19 points down to draw their match the previous weekend.
But South Africa had too much control and memories of losses on their last three visits to Twickenham to let England breathe again.
The Springboks endured narrow losses on their European tour to rankings leaders Ireland and France, but were satisfied with the way they were playing and how they were building to their title defence in France next year.
England finished the year in deficit – five wins, six defeats and a draw – their worst record in 14 years.
England captain Owen Farrell opened with his first missed placekick of the autumn, after 18 straight successes. He got the next one, though, from a scrum penalty in which tighthead Frans Malherbe incredibly twisted Mako Vunipola on to his back. It was a sign of the dominance South Africa gained in the scrum.
Farrell missed the posts a second time while de Klerk levelled as South Africa did everything but score for a time.
After Willemse’s first dropped goal put them in front, the secondchoice first five-eighth received a kick on his 22 and countered. Willie le Roux supported and Arendse shimmied past Marcus Smith to score.
De Klerk couldn’t add the extras, but he nailed a penalty kick on halftime after Tom Curry was penalised and England warned for their desperate fouls at the breakdowns.
England reacted during the break by changing the front row and sending on wing Jack Nowell. But England’s most dangerous back, Manu Tuilagi, was silenced as he was by New Zealand.
The second half seemed to be déja` vu. England’s new front row was no better, Willemse slotted a second dropped goal, and Curry was penalised again and yellowcarded.
South Africa struck between the posts after a Damian de Allende charge was finished by Etzebeth. Two more goalkicks by de Klerk had South Africa out of sight at 27-6.
But du Toit spoiled the party when he shoulder-charged the head of Luke Cowan-Dickie and was issued a red card. Le Roux was sacrificed to bring back Malherbe, who gave Will Stuart a rough ride.
England’s attempt to flex some muscle at the tryline failed when two throw-ins were stolen and the scrum conceded penalties and was warned for not holding its weight. England’s try by Slade had to start from their own half after breaks by Nowell and Farrell.
South Africa finished without de Klerk, who was carted off with a foot injury, and Siya Kolisi, who walked off after a head knock, and still weren’t troubled.