Half an hour of champagne rugby, then a huge physical fight. Here in a few words is the summary of the test match between England and South Africa this Saturday. A meeting ultimately won by the Springboks (20-29), but which should not shame the XV de la Rose, valiant until the end. A final try from Cheslin Kolbe (63rd), associated with their own offensive imprecision, however got the better of the last hopes of victory for the English, who lost for the fifth time in a row, a first since 2018.
As is often the case between the two teams, there was no observation round. From the 4th minute, Marcus Smith, the twirling English flyhalf, had a genius inspiration by feigning a drop attempt, before shifting Henry Slade. The ball finally returned to the arms of Ollie Sleightholme, who flattened it along the line (7-0). Seven minutes later, Grant Williams also signed a feat by running 30 m and hooking Freddie Steward to finish between the poles (11th, 7-7).
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🔥 It’s off to a strong start between England and South Africa!
🏴 The Springboks respond to the XV de la Rose a few minutes after conceding the first try of the match! #RugbyPack pic.twitter.com/isVESaNmOY— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 16, 2024
The Springboks were in their match, and were going to increase the score. First with a bit of luck, and two successive counterattacks from Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who finished in the in-goal (17th, 10-12). Receiving a long pass at the foot of Manie Libbok, Cheslin Kolbe scored his team’s third try after having mystified poor Steward (22nd, 10-19). Sam Underhill, however, reduced the gap five minutes later by finding a micro-opening in the middle of the South African first line, cornered on his line (27th, 17-19).
Kolbe condemns the XV of the Rose
The second half was less spectacular, but no less contested. Kurt-Lee Arendse, however, thought he would score another South African try in the 43rd minute, but Aphelele Fassi’s final pass was judged to be forward after video analysis. A hard blow for the South Africans, which the English will also experience when a high clearance from Maro Itoje caused the cancellation of the try scored by Henry Slade at the end of the chain (49th).
The final blow finally fell into the hands of the South Africans. Overpowering, Damian de Allende first broke two tackles, before shifting Cheslin Kolbe, who played Ollie Sleightholme before taking an impressive sprint to the goal (63rd, 20-29). Taking advantage of a yellow card from Gerhard Steenekamp, the English tried everything to equalize, but each time made a small error in the final meters. The Mass was said, the world champions remain the bosses.
