England's valiant effort out muscled by South Africa's second half performance

England entered the first test on a high after a convincing 57-26 victory over the Barbarians a few weeks ago, South Africa on the other hand did not have as much time to gel as a squad without any warm-up matches. This was Stuart Lancaster’s first game with England on tour and after a relatively successful Six Nations campaign; he was looking for his first Southern Hemisphere scalp. Tom Johnson and Joe Marler were chosen to make their debuts against the Springboks, with Johnson set to be the key man at the breakdown and Marler facing a real acid test in the scrum against Tendai Mtawarira ‘the Beast’. Jean de Villiers captained the Springboks, with a familiar back line, yet an unfamiliar set of forwards.

After an unconvincing start from England where Chris Ashton spilt the kick-off in to touch, England managed to put in an aggressive counter-ruck courtesy of Mourtiz Botha and Ben Youngs was able to clear the danger.  In return, Bryan Habana showed his pace and beat four defenders with ease.

5 minutes in to the match with England’s first real foray in to South African territory, Steve Walsh penalised the Springboks for going off their feet at the ruck. Owen Farrell stepped up to take the kick from 40 metres and he landed it with comfort. His composure off the tee is remarkable for his age. South Africa 0 England 3

Youngs took a high ball with authority in his own 22, but he was isolated. Strong counter-rucking from South Africa gave Willem Alberts a chance to charge forwards towards the English try line. Under intense pressure England gave away a penalty, Morne Steyn added the penalty from in front of the posts to level the scores. South Africa 3 England 3

South Africa was awarded a free kick in England’s half and Morne Steyn put up a high ball. Three South African players were in front of the ball, but Walsh did not notice. The Springboks looked set to score, but Manu Tuilagi put in a desperate tackle to prevent the score. Luckily for Lancaster’s men they were able to force a turnover and clear their lines.

A slick line out by England off the top put big ball carriers in to the South African defensive line, Tuilagi, Dylan Hartley and Ben Morgan made inroads in to the 22. Walsh awarded England a penalty and Farrell added the points to put England back in to the lead. South Africa 3 England 6

The lead was short lived as a trio of English forwards crept offside after a ruck. Morne Steyn stepped up and evened the scores after 30 minutes. South Africa 6 England 6

Mike Brown fielded a testing kick and England counter attacked well. Ashton came in off the right wing and looked to be in space; however, Francois Hougaard managed to drag the Saracens man down as he forced a knock on. 

South Africa put England under pressure once again with multiple phases with big carries from the back-row. However, Captain Chris Robshaw managed to scavenge a turnover and England spread the ball wide out to Ashton who chipped ahead only for the ball to roll in to touch.

Johnson had been having an excellent half, but he could not resist the urge to tap the ball back in to the scrum before it fell out sideways as the scrum was going backwards. Walsh spotted the act of foul play and Steyn once again went for the posts. However, he missed his first attempt at goal and the first half whistle blew.

Half Time: South Africa 6 England 6

2^nd Half

It was South Africa who started the strongest in the second half. An expansive play allowed Jean de Villiers to get outside Ashton. The Springboks then pressed closer and closer to England’s line and looked to have blown their chance, but the ball was spread out to Morne Steyn who barged past a weak tackle attempt from Johnson to score South Africa’s first try. Steyn could not convert his try; he pushed the attempt to the right of the posts from the right hand touch line. After 50 minutes the score was South Africa 11 England 6

The Springboks were pushing hard in England’s 22 and were awarded a penalty ten metres out. They took the penalty quickly and turned the ball over to England who was awarded a scrum. Farrell was right to celebrate; England had been let off the hook. After the pause in play, Toby Flood came on to replace Brad Barritt who went off with a badly bruised eye that had closed up.

A dangerous attacking phase of play followed for South Africa, however, J.P Pietersen was forced in to touch. Out of frustration, Frans Steyn booted the ball in to a field of English players lying on the floor and Farrell took exception to this throwing a punch. Walsh decided to let the incident go.

Jean de Villiers, the South African captain scored the try that sealed the win with a commanding finish through Brown and Ben Foden. Steyn pulled the conversion attempt to the left of the uprights. With less than 20 minutes remaining, the score read as follows: South Africa 16 England 6

Straight from the kick off, Foden collected the ball and looked to be through to score. He was brought down and England took the penalty advantage with a risky kick through by Farrell. It was the wrong call, but Farrell took the three easy points on offer. South Africa 16 England 9

A strong kick chase from England put pressure on Pietersen and Walsh penalised the winger for holding on in the ruck. Farrell went for the posts and slotted the attempt. South Africa 16 England 12

The gap did not last long as South Africa found their rhythm in England’s 22. Under pressure, Tuilagi gave away a penalty and Steyn once again went for the posts. The fly-half put his previous misses to the back of his mind and he added the three points. South Africa 19 England 12

In the final five minutes, play was centred in England’s 22. England’s scrum was turned by South Africa and form the next scrum, Walsh penalised replacement Paul Doran-Jones for collapsing. Steyn added the conversion to prevent England from having the chance at a miraculous draw. South Africa 22 England 12

In the last play of the game, Jonathan Joseph made an outstanding break and then the ball was spread wide to Foden who dove in to the right hand corner. The decision went to the TMO and the Saints back-three man was awarded the try. The try was a fine conciliation for England at the end of a tough test match. Farrell could not add the conversion.

Full time: South Africa 22 England 17 Man of the Match: Frans Steyn, it is tempting to put his namesake Morne as man of the match, yet the inside centre made fantastic tackles throughout the game, keeping Tuilagi and Barritt in check.

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