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South Africa 22-17 England

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments91

England's Ben Morgan
England's Ben Morgan

South Africa overpowered a game England to win the first Test of the three-match series in Durban.

For 40 minutes England held their own against a side that had only five days to prepare for the contest.

The score was 6-6 at the break but after the restart the Springboks increased the physicality.

Tries from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers effectively secured the match for the hosts and a late touch-down by Ben Foden was a mere consolation.

While Stuart Lancaster will no doubt take positives from his side's performance, England would have hoped to catch an undercooked Springboks cold at sea level before the series moves to altitude.

Meanwhile, South Africa's new coach Heyneke Meyer will be heartened by the spirit and organisational levels of his side.

The visitors' early kicking out of hand was loose and a box kick from Ben Youngs led to a threatening run by veteran winger Bryan Habana.

But Farrell settled any England nerves with a penalty on six minutes after uncapped lock Eben Etzebeth went off his feet at a ruck.

The Springboks sprung into life just after the 10-minute mark, Habana putting a big hit on Youngs after a pin-point Garryowen by Morne Steyn before blind-side Willem Alberts picked up the loose ball and went rumbling through England's spintered defence.

Morne Steyn followed up with a clever cross-kick and levelled the scores from bang in front after a desperate England had fallen off-side.

South Africa came close to England's try-line again when scrum-half Francois Hougaard released number eight Pierre Spies, but the Bulls giant was clattered by Manu Tuilagi.

England nicked the lead courtesy of a Farrel three-pointer following a strong carry by number eight Ben Morgan, but the hosts were on level terms again through the unerring boot of Steyn.

Chris Ashton then carved an opening for England, darting off his wing and scuttling into the opposition 22, only for Hougaard to dislodge the ball in the tackle.

While the amount of kicking may not have pleased the purists, the action in the first half was unquestionably intense, with England well-organised in defence and impressive at the break-down.

Steyn almost gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time after Tom Johnson handled in a scrum, but the Boks fly-half pushed his penalty attempt wide.

South Africa started the second half the stronger, waves of attacks crashing at England's line before Steyn eventually darted over for the first try of the match.

The Springboks were not sated and they should have increased their lead when Hougaard opted for a tap-and-go rather than an easy three points in front of the posts, only for England to force an infringement.

The hosts kept coming, Habana barrelling through a couple of tackles and JP Pietersen very nearly going over in the corner, before punches were exchanged between Farrell and De Villiers as tempers boiled over.

With 20 minutes remaining, skipper De Villiers scored the Boks' second try, which was just reward for his side's overbearing physicality.

But Farrell gave England a lifeline directly from the restart, popping over a penalty after Foden caught the hosts napping and was hauled down a few metres short of the line.

Farrell reduced the deficit to four points with another three-pointer only for Steyn to make sure of the result with two late penalties.

Foden did cross for a morale-boosting try in the corner in added time but England now face the daunting task of attempting to level the series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a Springboks stronghold.

South Africa: Z Kirchner; J P Pietersen, J de Villiers (capt), F Steyn, B Habana; M Steyn, D Hougaard; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, E Etzebeth, J Kruger, M Coetzee, W Alberts, P Spies.

Replacements: A Strauss (for B du Plessis, 66) C Oosthuizen (for J du Plessis - blood - 49-58), F van der Merwe (for Etzebeth, 58), K Daniel (for Coetzee, 73), R Pienaar (for Hougaard, 56), P Lambie (on for Kirchner, 41), W Olivier (for Habana, 32-41).

England: M Brown; C Ashton, M Tuilagi, B Barritt, B Foden; O Farrell, B Youngs; J Marler, D Hartley, D Cole, M Botha, G Parling, T Johnson, C Robshaw (capt), B Morgan.

Replacements: L Mears (for Hartley, 76), P Doran Jones (for Marler, 73), T Palmer (for Botha, 59), P Dowson (for Morgan, 62), L Dickson (for Youngs, 73), T Flood (for Barritt, 54), J Joseph (for Brown, 78).

Referee: Steve Walsh (ARU)

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91 comments

  • Comment posted by ProperMustard, at 19:59 9 Jun 2012

    @5 I think you are being too harsh on England. I thought we had the better of the lineout and in regards to physicality, we were almost here. Farrel didn't play well at 10 (or at all), I expect Flood to start next match and I think we need to beef up our 2nd row, get Palmer in with Botha.
    Overall, the best side won but hell, 6 months ago who thought we'd win more than 1 six nation game?

  • Comment posted by Lyrical_myrical, at 19:40 9 Jun 2012

    I thought it was a pretty good effort from England, ultimately SA were just too physical. SA won this, England didnt lose it. maybe slightly biased but I definitely thought the tempo was improved with the introduction of Dickson, Youngs was too slow. reminded me of the WC against Argentina. I'd put Flood in for Farrell and move fodes back to FB, with wade or brown at 11.

  • Comment posted by lisson17, at 19:50 9 Jun 2012

    @abertafol You mean the most recent result of the day on a website predominantly read by the majority population in the UK? Yes, I wonder why this is the main headline.

  • Comment posted by Titchfieldwasp, at 22:26 9 Jun 2012

    I would love to make a positive comment but when England games and just as importantly Lions games are shown live by "other" broadcasters how can I?

    Wendy ball is shown wall to wall, why not at least keep Our national Rugby games on terrestrial?

    This is not our full strength team so well done lads.

  • Comment posted by Peter G, at 19:26 9 Jun 2012

    As soon as Dickson came on, we saw faster ball out from the pack which allowed the backs to attack, which resulted in the late consolation try. Youngs has not rediscovered his swagger yet. I would switch Tuilagi to 12, put Joseph at 13 and a specialist winger for Foden. Brown played well and deserves to retain his place, as did Johnson. The front row struggled, which gives cause for concern.

  • Comment posted by TinkyThree, at 20:21 9 Jun 2012

    That England try at the death put a different complexion on the game - we were, after all, outplayed in all areas apart from perhaps the line out. Despite this, I was quite encouraged and think England will be better next week. This was a step up from the traditional get-flogged-and-look-knackered England summer tour. Look forward to seeing Flood put a bit of gain line threat together next week

  • Comment posted by lisson17, at 19:39 9 Jun 2012

    How is this an unbiased report from the BBC? Massively dismissive about England with no positives. Absolutely useless report.

    Yes, England need to make changes for next week - Youngs wasn't quick enough at the breakdown, Faz wasnt good enough at 10 BUT there were positives to take from playing our first test away from home and losing by 5. Youngsters played well,should be given the chance next wk

  • Comment posted by Dr_John - not a Doctor of medicine, at 19:38 9 Jun 2012

    Considering where England are in their development, and how rare it is for NH sides to win in SA, today was an OK effort.
    Thought Youngs was poor, and has to be dropped, we also need to find a better balance in the backline. The difficulty is getting the balance between skill and physical strength.

    Thought Robshaw and Johnson did well, and the decision to play Foden at 11 worked.

  • Comment posted by lifelongrugbyfan, at 19:31 9 Jun 2012

    Considering that there were only about five starting players who were in the England team prior to this season I thought the England performance was good against a much more seasoned Springbok team. The final try may be seen by some as a consolation try but I feel it made the scoreline more representative of the England effort and should give the youngsters a boost in confidence.

  • Comment posted by Big Al, at 08:49 10 Jun 2012

    I remain confused by the need for the referee to say "pause" before a scrum. Crouch, touch and engage are all actions but Steve Walsh has an enormous pause before actually stating it - really necessary?

  • Comment posted by Tobin Rusby, at 11:59 10 Jun 2012

    To win in south Africa is extremely hard, the last Lions tor lost so for England to get this close with a team that crashed out of the world cup months ago is still an achievement. As for the heart of England's team, it has improved greatly from the world cup.

  • Comment posted by User0596574956, at 19:57 9 Jun 2012

    Great effort, good guts. Remember how bad we were! Bench had no impact. Would play Palmer, Haskell (Morgan not fit), Care, Flood, Tuilagi, Joseph et al with Wade on the bench.

    Farell not good enough passing at the moment to play 10 or 12. Would rather have Hodgson, the best passer in the British game.

    Barrit is amazing defensively but adds nothing going forward. To beat SA we have to score 25.

  • Comment posted by User0932626848, at 00:53 10 Jun 2012

    I think with scrum halfs, yes ben youngs is quality, but with lee dickson, he can tire out the opposition, then if lancaster brings on youngs with 20 mins to go, he'll be more effective

  • Comment posted by lisson17, at 20:04 9 Jun 2012

    @17 very very well said.

  • Comment posted by User0909305176, at 12:24 10 Jun 2012

    England fronted up in defence against the most physical force in world rugby in their back yard with a young and corageous inexperienced side,i was proud watching them yesterday. Attack lacked direction and creativity but you cannot fault the all round effort and heart put in around the field. They will all learn and improve from it. People need to stop with this 'Stuart Barnes' pessimist regime.

  • Comment posted by Glamorgan12, at 19:20 9 Jun 2012

    As I feared England were out muscled by the Boks and not impressed by Farrell - poor kicking out of hand and terrible distribution. Got to start with flood at 10 next week.

  • Comment posted by Peter G, at 19:40 9 Jun 2012

    Farrell needs to develop more of a game. He cannot be there simply for his kicking, as Brown can handle that. I would play Flood at 10 with Tuilagi at 12 and Joseph at 13. I think that would have more of a cutting edge.

  • Comment posted by billyblue51, at 09:13 10 Jun 2012

    In the scrum Cole's side was collapsing.
    Young's was bad although did a few good things, give dickson a start.
    Although in the mid week game give care a turn on the bench.
    I think england and Wales have a chance to.win one test.
    I am looking forward to the mid week game.
    Farrall had a great.kicking game.and made a couple of good tackles,
    although England need flood as he's a better play maker
    TY

  • Comment posted by oz5000, at 22:06 9 Jun 2012

    Farrell had a poor game but isn't helped by having to play outside the awful Youngs. His delivery is painfully slow, his passing loopy and inaccurate, his box kicks as ineffective as they are over-used and he constantly crabs from the breakdown closing down the space for others outside him.
    Dickson MUST start the 2nd test if we are to have any chance of levelling the series.

  • Comment posted by DanTheMan, at 01:13 10 Jun 2012

    Alot to take heart from....personally i think Cobisiero was sorely missed!

    Also would definitely start Danny Care at 9 for the next game, he is the best scrum half in Ebgland on current form!

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