The Springboks maintained their unbeaten streak in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour with a gritty 29-20 triumph over England at the Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday. In front of a packed house, South Africa overcame a determined English side, leveraging their depth and resilience to secure a memorable win.
The first half was a nail-biting affair, with England drawing first blood through an exceptional team effort. Marcus Smith’s clever play set up Ollie Sleightholme for a spectacular try, putting the hosts ahead 7-0 early on. The Springboks, initially unsettled, quickly found their footing through a dominant scrum and a brilliant response by Grant Williams, whose solo try leveled the score.
Despite England’s pressure, South Africa’s opportunistic play saw Pieter-Steph du Toit capitalize on a charged-down kick to cross the line, followed by a vintage Cheslin Kolbe try off a cross-kick from Manie Libbok. England fought back with Sam Underhill’s well-executed try, keeping the game tight at 19-17 at halftime.
The second half began with both teams vying for control, but it was the Springboks who found their rhythm. Despite a disallowed try by Kurt-Lee Arendse, the introduction of Malcolm Marx and Handré Pollard injected fresh energy. England briefly regained the lead through a penalty by Smith, but Pollard’s long-range effort, bouncing off the crossbar, swung momentum back to South Africa.
Kolbe’s second try, a testament to his clinical finishing, extended the lead. The dynamic winger was set up by a well-timed pass from Damian de Allende after strong carries by Kwagga Smith, putting the visitors firmly in control.
England had opportunities to mount a comeback, especially after a yellow card to Gerhard Steenekamp reduced South Africa to 14 men. However, crucial turnovers at the breakdown by Vincent Koch and Marx thwarted their advances, allowing the Springboks to close out the game.
Key Performances and Observations
Cheslin Kolbe: His two tries underlined his status as one of rugby’s most lethal finishers.
Manie Libbok: Despite missing some kicks, his playmaking ability and vision created pivotal scoring opportunities.
Springbok Forwards: Dominance in scrums and breakdowns, led by Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx, and Kwagga Smith, was instrumental in the victory.
England’s Shortcomings
England showed great intensity and ingenuity in attack, particularly in the first half, but struggled with game management in the latter stages. Missed opportunities near the Springbok line and an inability to capitalize on South Africa’s errors proved costly.
Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus praised the team’s resilience and adaptability, highlighting the squad’s ability to deliver under pressure:
“Winning in this atmosphere against a quality team like England is never easy. The players showed great character when it mattered most.”
England’s head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the effort but lamented missed chances:
“We put ourselves in strong positions but couldn’t finish. There’s a lot to learn from this performance.”
In a clash of physicality and skill, the Springboks demonstrated why they are the top-ranked team in the world. Despite moments of indiscipline and English pressure, their ability to execute in crucial moments proved decisive. For England, the loss highlights areas for improvement, but their performance showed promise against a world-class opponent.
As the Springboks march forward with their winning streak intact, this victory serves as a testament to their depth, determination, and knack for delivering when it counts.
