South Africa overwhelms England 45-21 in Nations Championship opener with seven-try blitz
South Africa scored three tries in the opening 11 minutes and never looked back, beating England 45-21 at Ellis Park in the first match of the new Nations Championship.
Explosive start
South Africa lost captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth to late injuries but still produced a devastating opening. Prop Thomas du Toit burrowed over in the second minute, Cheslin Kolbe crossed in the sixth after a break by Ox Nche, and Kurt-Lee Arendse brushed past Marcus Smith for a third try in the 11th minute. Kolbe converted his own try and the Boks led 17-0 before England had settled.
England's fightback
England gradually found a foothold. Jamie George had a try ruled out for offside after a TMO check, but Ellis Genge powered over from a quick tap penalty in the 35th minute. Fin Smith then kicked a 50-22, and from the lineout George Martin finished slick handling to cut the deficit to 17-14 at halftime.
Second-half dominance
The world champions reasserted control after the break. Scrumhalf Grant Williams sniped over from close range in the 44th minute, and Jesse Kriel added another try 12 minutes later as the forwards pounded the England line. Alex Coles replied for England in the 68th minute to make it 31-21, but the comeback hopes were short-lived.
The second half was hardly a contest. England never got a foothold in the game and because of that their attack was bits and pieces. South Africa smashed the door down, rarely played more than a couple of phases but squeezed the life out of England. They were uncomplicated and uncompromising.
- Thomas du Toit burrows over for the opening try.
- Cheslin Kolbe crosses after Ox Nche break; Kolbe converts.
- Kurt-Lee Arendse finishes in the corner for a 17-0 lead.
- Ellis Genge powers over from a quick tap penalty.
- George Martin scores after slick handling; deficit cut to 17-14.
- Grant Williams snipes over from close range.
- Jesse Kriel extends lead to 31-14.
- Alex Coles replies for England, 31-21.
- England down to 13 men after yellow cards; Marx and Dixon score tries.
- South Africa 45-21 England.
Late drama and yellow cards
With 12 minutes remaining, England lost Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper to yellow cards, reducing them to 13 men for the final stages. South Africa capitalised immediately, with Malcolm Marx and Ben Jason-Dixon crossing for late tries to complete the 45-21 scoreline. Kolbe finished with five conversions.
Injury blows and context
The Springboks were forced into late changes when Kolisi suffered a hamstring injury in the captain's run and Etzebeth displayed concussion symptoms after a head knock in training. Pieter-Steph du Toit took over as captain. England also lost fullback George Furbank to appendicitis, with Marcus Smith shifting to fullback. The match was the first fixture of the new Nations Championship, a cross-hemisphere competition that will run through July and November, culminating in a play-off weekend at Twickenham.
