Man-of-the-match: Willem Alberts
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South Africa landed the first blow in their three-Test series with England as a strong second-half showing saw them win 22-17 in Durban on Saturday.
Tries from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers did the damage after the turnaround as the visitors struggled to repeat their impressive opening.
It was a deserved win for the Springboks however as they recovered well from a disappointing half that saw the sides go in with six points apiece.
England began in a cool fashion and looked comfortable in possession, taking all the correct options in the opening ten minutes. Ben Youngs was assured at the base while Dan Cole was hungry and Tom Johnson got through a great deal of carrying work as the Boks played second fiddle.
The visitors were rewarded for their efforts too as South Africa debutant Eben Etzebeth failed to roll away after a Cole carry. Consequently, Owen Farrell was able to send over the first points of the series from 40 metres out in the seventh minute.
But that sparked the Boks into life and it was their battering ram, Willem Alberts, who was creating the go-forward, resulting in Morne Steyn drawing his side level with fourteen minutes gone.
There was definitely a chess match feel to the action.
At 3-all the game began to pick up in pace as the likes of Ben Morgan and Chris Ashton made inroads through the heart of the Springbok defence. And Morgan's powerful surge - after a lovely late pass from Johnson - led to Marcell Coetzee offending. Farrell slotted it.
Pictures of the home coaching box illustrated the pressure on new coach Heyneke Meyer, who seemed worried about how his charges were fronting up in his first game at the helm. He wouldn't have to wait long for a reply though as England went offside and Steyn levelled.
That was how the scores stayed until the interval but that could and probably should have been different after Johnson used his hand on the blindside flank of a scrum just outside his own 22. Steyn called for the tee in the last kick of the half but the effort strayed wide.
Stuart Lancaster must have been delighted with how his team had fronted up in the first 40 minutes as they looked confident in their ability in both attack and defence, particularly at the breakdown as on three occasions they had turned over the Boks. That trend had to continue.
Meyer had different ideas though and seemingly rallied his team in the dressing room as England struggled to cope with the lift in intensity upon the resumption. Finally the host were able to enjoy a sustained period of ball as Bismarck du Plessis became prominent.
Cue 20 minutes of South Africa being largely in possession in England's half in a spell that led to Steyn having a mismatch against Johnson five metres out. He crossed for a try on 48 minutes before space opened up on the same wing 12 minutes later for De Villiers.
England were trailing 16-6 at that moment and desperately needed the next score, which they got in two-fold as Farrell sent over a couple of penalties, in the 63rd and 66th minute.
With ten minutes remaining in Durban the game was up for grabs but it was Steyn given the opportunities to see out the game and the Bulls number ten didn't misfire with his penalties, making it 22-12 before a late finish from Northampton's Ben Foden came as consolation.
South Africa meet England in the second Test match in Johannesburg next Saturday.
Man-of-the-match: Alongside hooker Bismarck du Plessis, flanker Willem Alberts carried like a warrior for South Africa. A mention for England debutant Tom Johnson for his first-half.
Moment-of-the-match: The try from Jean de Villiers was a sucker punch to England on the hour mark and put the Boks two scores up at 16-6. From that point on England were playing catch-up and in a second-half where they rarely threatened, the result was arguably settled.
Villain-of-the-match: Barring a bit of push and shove between Owen Farrell and Frans Steyn after the latter had kicked the ball at England's fly-half, it wasn't too feisty at all.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: M Steyn, De Villiers
Pen: M Steyn 4
For England:
Try: Foden
Pen: Farrell 4
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Patrick Lambie, 22 Wynand Olivier.
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Ben Foden, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Jonathan Joseph.
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant refeerees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Scotland)
Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
martinmarais78 says...
Kapalange, I fully agree that the Natal supporters were pathetic in their support for the Boks... Been to cold sleepy-Twickers a couple of times and even the crowd there have more "oemf" in them than the daggokoppie surfer Durban locals...
Apart from the crowd the Boks played well and will only get better! Ex Natal Barritt are still as boring as when he played for the Sharks. Maybe get a local Englishman to fire up the backs, otherwise this team is going nowhere...
Posted 20:24 09th June 2012
NHsaints says...
England needed to run the ball more...and go for tries, I mean what happened to the fact Quinns, Tigers and Saints (the majority of the team) all used the driving maul to great effect in tight games this season...why not do it again? Especially with the lineouts functioning reasonably well...now the main thing I'm dissapointed in is the Youngs/Farrel kicking and chasing tactic so I'd say for the next game take the risk and drop Youngs then bring in dickson to start (he's the best tempo setter) and bring Care onto the bench then drop Farrel to the Bench and Bring flood to start 10 as you don't sacrifice much of the kicking game but then gain a much better attacking + counter attacking 10 who will bring the ball to the line and get the big carrying forwards like Robshaw, Hartley, Morgan, Johnson and Marler to hit the line flat and attack the 9/10/12 channel as both Steyn's (morne and Francois) dissapear when they're on the back foot and Hougaard won't be able to handle too much of a hammering. Plus that way we get Care and Farrel on the bench who can cover 9, 10, 11, 14 and 10, 12, 13 respectively which will allow us to select 5 forwards (invaluable against a physical pack like the boks) and then swap out barritt for Joseph and move Tuilagi inside Joseph.
Posted 20:06 09th June 2012
scot_rsa says...
Alberts awesome. Meyer clearly turned the game around with his half-time talk, bodes well for his tenure. A long way from the wayward substitutions that PdV used to make, Oosthuizen and Strauss just upped the intensity. Frightening for England, Meyer will have learned a lot and will turn the screw at Ellis Park.
Posted 19:45 09th June 2012
Jediboy says...
I thought England showed control in the first half, but under pressure in the second half England lost their shape. It looked a bit forced at times. Good breakdown though but really need to step it up a gear.
Well done to SA. Strong second half won it today.
Posted 19:42 09th June 2012
JayStarr says...
@ SACannuck: What flip-flop manoevre? Maybe you should go back and read what I wrote... What did I say that I need to "flip-flop" on now?
@ hayj05: I also thought Walsh wasn't too bad.
Posted 19:35 09th June 2012
new_j4a says...
If you watched only the Oz v Wales and Bok v England games, you'd have to conclude the SH v NH was a very close thing and perhaps just a coin toss. NZ is the difference really.....in a class of their own and the team that tips the balance solidly in favour of the SH. What is it about those kiwis?? Pure class in all departments....glad we have them setting the bar in the SH....the Boks were pretty mediocre today.
Posted 19:27 09th June 2012
astrospange says...
Its about time Eng fronted up. All this talk about it being the best opportunity for Eng to beat SA is all just theory. Its all about who shows up on the day. The mental toughness needed to win against the SH sides is seriously lacking. Now SA have the bragging rights so it is up to Eng to take them back. Dispell all the myths and play.
Posted 19:26 09th June 2012
nefari says...
Walsh had probably his best game this year
Posted 19:23 09th June 2012
payve says...
@nefari. Not sure they destroyed the England scrum, but destroyed Paul Doran-Jones when he came on. He spent most of his scrum time with his head between his knees so fair play. Marler and Cole combo however didn't look bad at all. Looked like both packs were just over eager at different times throughout the match. So speaketh this prop at least.
Posted 19:21 09th June 2012
FISH says...
@ hay jay ...yeah really good reffing tonight
Posted 19:18 09th June 2012
hayj05 says...
@BokAwinger - You seriously complaining about the ref when your team won lol? I thought Walsh was very good, he was clear & consistant.
Posted 18:35 09th June 2012
SACanuck says...
Well played Boks, Jaystarr time for your Flip Flop maneuver
Posted 18:33 09th June 2012
nefari says...
I can't remember the last time we absolutely destroyed an england scrum.
Morn steyn could kick better but alberts and coetzee were massive today.
Posted 18:22 09th June 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Well done the Bok. Kept it clean. Respect to both sides. A good tour ahead but England have lost their best chance. Now it's just a test of which team and coaching set up learn fastest. If its even; 3-0 to Boks as they gain in confidence. But England should see opportunity. Youngs did not spark. Care and Palmer would be my only changes. Not much in attack. Manu does not offload well. I'd like to see him at 12 with Joseph at 13. Need a 13 to break and release the backs. Barritt is a good defender but Manu can defend too plus carries better. Tough on Barritt but a new combination needed. Final comment: England got drawn into the kicking game where we all knew they would be second best. At least chase the kicks hard. Habana showed the value of that.
Posted 18:20 09th June 2012
hayj05 says...
England need Flood at 10.
If they want to win, they've got to attack. As we saw today, England are not going to outmuscle the Springboks.
Good Second half from the Boks & unlucky not to win by a larger margin.
Posted 18:17 09th June 2012
JayStarr says...
Well done boys... very relieved..! Luckily England didn't come with their A-game - there wasn't much cohesion under the Springboks (as I anticipated) and they would've been put on the ropes by a better team... didn't help that Morné didn't have his kicking boots on either. But the guys showed a GREAT attitude - from Marcell Coetzee to JdV. Very valuable win.
Now the only way is up - next week there will be more cohesion, which will result in better execution... and now there will be confidence and momentum as well. This was England's best chance to get a foothold in this test series, but I think they can forget about it now.
Also, I questioned Willem Alberts' defense in the lead-up to this game (he has the 2nd most missed tackles in Super Rugby), but I think he really stepped up in this game and made some great tackles. I hope he keeps it up!
Also, credit to Heyneke Meyer for not playing 10-man rugby. That is probably my biggest relief.
Considering everything, looking good boys - looking good. :)
Posted 18:14 09th June 2012
kappelange says...
this was a bad performance, but the crowd was the worst i have ever seen...no atmosphere whatsoever
shame on you Durban!
Posted 18:13 09th June 2012
BokAvenger says...
Well done to England and Steve Walsh for putting up a good fight tonight - score was a lot closer than we thought it would be. They were particularly good at the breadkown and the tackle, where they put in some good physical hits. Hope you enjoyed Durbs because the Highveld is going to be a lot tougher. Cheers Chaps...I'm off to celebrate...
Posted 18:11 09th June 2012
FISH says...
oh.....and the boks annihilated thier scrum
Posted 18:05 09th June 2012
melkdave says...
Well the best performance by a NH team today ,and some posatives for England ,but definatly need to inprove their kicking game B.Youngs was woeful kicking to long and his team mates didnt have a chance chasing to be honest.S.Africa where great for long periods of the 2nd half ,with waves of attacks comming at England ,and deserved the victory.England hopefully will have learnt alot and will inprove for the 2nd test ,and lets hope its annother great game .Not the end of the world by a long way imho
Posted 18:03 09th June 2012