South Africa Beat England in Nations Championship

South Africa (News Central TV) South Africa (News Central TV)
South Africa beat England in the Nations Championship. Credit: Reuters

South Africa defeated a 13-man England squad 45-21 in a Nations Championship first-round match at Ellis Park on Saturday, outscoring the visitors by seven tries to three.

The dominant victory gives the record four-time World Cup winners a provisional lead at the top of the Southern Hemisphere table, ahead of New Zealand on points difference.

South Africa (News Central TV)
South Africa beat England in the Nations Championship. Credit: Reuters

Prop Thomas du Toit, wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, scrum-half Grant Williams, centre Jesse Kriel, hooker Malcolm Marx, and loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon all crossed the try line for the hosts, while Kolbe added 15 points with his boot.

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Stand-in captain Pieter-Steph du Toit led the Springboks after late withdrawals from Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth.

South Africa dictated the opening quarter, storming to a 17-0 lead before 52,790 fans in Johannesburg.

England fought back bravely, capitalising on a yellow card for Arendse to score through Ellis Genge and George Martin, narrowing the gap to 17-14 by halftime.

The Springboks extended their lead after the break, but a try from England’s Alex Coles kept the visitors within striking distance at 31-21 with 11 minutes remaining.

However, discipline issues completely shattered England’s hopes of a comeback.

The referee yellow-carded centre Tommy Freeman for a dangerous tackle and sent replacement forward Guy Pepper to the sin bin just three minutes later for an early challenge.

South Africa ruthlessly exploited their two-man advantage, as late tries from Marx and Dixon sealed the emphatic win.

Author

  • Abisoye Adeyiga

    Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.

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