By Lehlohonolo Lehana from Ellis Park.
South Africa defeated England 45-21 in their opening match of the inaugural 2026 Nations Championship at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Springboks dominated the match with seven tries, overcoming the late-stage absences of captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.
As a result, uncapped Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom started on the flanks with Pieter-Steph du Toit moving into the second row and taking over the captaincy.
England were also dealt a late blow, with fullback George Furbank succumbing to appendicitis and replaced by Marcus Smith.
The world champions raced into a 17-0 lead before letting the visitors back into the game, but dominated the second half in front of 52,700 fans.
The Boks made a fast start, with tighthead prop Thomas du Toit going over within three minutes after fullback Damian Willemse, playing in his 50th Test, had come close.
Winger Cheslin Kolbe then scored a 22nd Test try in his 50th Test after a storming run from loosehead prop Ox Nché, who left the field soon after.
Powerful scores from Ellis Genge and George Martin, just before half-time, ignited a glimmer of hope for England.
But South Africa turned the screw after the break, scoring another three tries to canter to victory as England came up well short of the gold standard set by the double reigning world champions.
It is fourth successive victory for the Springboks over England.
The Springboks take on Scotland at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday while England head to Argentina to face Los Pumas.
South Africa: Willemse; Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse; Libbok, Williams; Nche, Marx, T du Toit, P-S du Toit (c), Nortje, De Villiers, Hanekom, Wiese
Replacements: Wessels, Steenekamp, Porthen, Van Staden, Dixon, Reinach, Esterhuizen, Moodie
England: M Smith; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley: F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Curry, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Obano, Opoku-Fordjour, Ewels, Pepper, Pollock, Mitchell, Slad.
Meanwhile Swys de Bruin rated the Springbok Women’s first half performance against the USA Eagles Women at Ellis Park as the best 40 minutes of rugby since he was appointed as head coach, but admitted that their second half effort fell short of the same standard in a match they won 34-21.