By Gavin Rich.
The Springboks made nonsense of the United Kingdom perceptions of them being a boring team as they mixed it up in fine style to record a 27-13 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday that confirmed their right to be considered red hot contenders for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The Boks scored two tries to one but that doesn’t tell the full story of a game that might have seen England buried by 20 or 30 points had it not been for another of those red cards, this time shown to reserve prop Thomas du Toit just after he came onto the field.
That meant it was 14 against 15 for the Boks in the last 20 minutes, but unlike against the All Blacks at the same venue a week before, England didn’t have the energy for a comeback.
At the final hooter it was in fact the Boks who had the opportunity to add further to their 14 point advantage as they were awarded a penalty in a kickable position.
But on a day of surprises, or at least they were surprises to people who never watched the last two Bok games, they actually decided to kick for the corner in a quest to maybe score one more try. It didn’t pay off as replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok kicked it too long into touch in goal, but it didn’t matter – the Boks were comprehensive victors, and deservedly so.
SCORES
SOUTH AFRICA 27- Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse and Eben Etzebeth; Conversion: Faf de Klerk; Penalty: Faf de Klerk; Drop-goals: Damian Willemse 2.
ENGLAND 13 – Try: Henry Slade, Conversion: Owen Farrell; Penalties: Owen Farrell 2.
Meanwhile Australia came from 34-13 down to beat Wales 39-34 in an extraordinary Autumn Nations Series test at The Principality Stadium on Saturday which will pile the pressure on home coach Wayne Pivac.