Double reigning world champions South Africa kicked off their campaign rugby’s new Nations Championship with a convincing 45-21 win over England to prove that they remain the team to beat.
The Springboks were in Test action for the first time this year but Rassie Erasmus’ side barely missed a beat, despite both Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth being ruled out just before kick-off, as they raced into a 17-0 lead inside 13 minutes at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, with Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse all going over.
To their credit, Steve Borthwick’s side hit back with scores from Ellis Genge and George Martin just before half-time but the hosts pulled away after the break, with Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx and Ben-Jason Dixon all scoring to lay down an early marker in the cross-hemisphere competition.
England showed flashes of promising play but, off the back of their worst-ever Six Nations, their losing streak extended to five matches and next week’s clash with Fiji at Everton now looms awfully large for the Borthwick project.
Relive all the action from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:
South Africa vs England LIVE
- South Africa record dominant 45-21 win over England to kick off Nations Championship
- Steve Borthwick's side battle but are outclassed as losing streak extends to five matches
- FT: South Africa 45-21 England - Springboks pull away with four second-half tries
- HT: South Africa 17-14 England – tourists hit back through Genge and Martin
- 13' South Africa 17-0 England – Springboks strike three times in rampant start
Steve Borthwick faces defining week as dominant Springboks condemn England to fifth straight loss
19:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England endured a fifth straight Test defeat after a rollercoaster night at Ellis Park ended with South Africa turning on the power to emerge emphatic 45-21 winners.
Borthwick faces defining week as dominant Springboks hand England fifth straight loss
Jamie George 'gutted'
19:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
"I am gutted,” Jamie George tells the BBC. “There were times when we posed some really big questions to the Springboks, and we showed some great character to come back after a poor first 15 minutes.
"We need to get out of the cycle of playing the game that the Springboks want to play.
"We knew what was coming and came out with a lot of passion and energy. Lessons to learn in terms of our discipline.
"Ultimately, it is about putting our game onto the field. We did that in parts."
Next up...
19:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here’s what is on deck next for these two:
Fiji vs England (2.10pm BST, Liverpool)
South Africa vs Scotland (4.40pm BST, Pretoria)
Nations Championship schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch
Here's Pieter-Steph du Toit, stand-in Springboks skipper
18:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a tough game for us. That’s the thing about England – you always know that they are going to come back and never stop fighting. We had to stick to our plans. Unfortunately we lost a bit of control in the second half of the first half, but at the end of the game, we made ourselves proud.
“Being at lock again was quite tough. But pulling on a Springboks jersey is always a massive honour. The South African fans are the best. Hopefully we can make them crowd in the rest of the season.”
England's discipline costly?
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
13 penalties to six for England – did that prove costly? One might argue that a lot of those came from pressure, and a couple from scrums, but they didn’t start the second half with the cleanliness they probably had to.
Two yellow cards, too – the Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper incidents were unfortunate, but it is a persistent problem.
George Martin’s try was good, mind.
Damian de Allende reacts to South Africa's win
18:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a tough old Test match. We started really well but we know how good the English team are, and we knew they’d come back. The way we started the second half was excellent and a great reaction from the players coming out of the sheds.
“I thought we were very accurate in the beginning, but a little bit of ill-discipline came in and we let them take momentum. We’ll rest up and look forward to next week."
FT: South Africa 45-21 England
18:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That result leaves England bottom of the Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere table. For whatever that is worth. Scotland play Argentina later, of course.
FT: South Africa 45-21 England
18:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
About as expected, really – England stuck in the fight for a while but were eventually blown away. Steve Borthwick will be pleased with the spirit his side showed in that second quarter after a horror start, but it never felt like they had enough.
FULL TIME: South Africa 45-21 England
18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa 45-21 England, 81 minutes
18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England are still down to 13 men as South Africa set off again in search of a half-century.
Jesse Kriel is there! But that looked suspiciously like a knock-on from Malcolm Marx to get it to him...confirmed as much by the TMO. Light relief for a bruised England – that’ll be that!
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 45-21 England (Ben-Jason Dixon, 79 minutes)
18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Too much power, too much potency! If Jasper Wiese doesn’t get you, Ben-Jason Dixon will, two of the burlier Boks proving an undeniable one-two punch.
Cheslin Kolbe – not content with just being one of the world’s best wings – has found his goalkicking radar, slotting form wide on the left. They are good, these blokes.
South Africa 38-21 England, 77 minutes
18:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa are looking for one final statement. Asher Opoku-Fordjour is absolutely munched at the scrum, and the Springboks then surge through to win another penalty further up the field at the breakdown. A kick to the corner...surely this only ends one way?
Not just yet – Marco van Staden is heroically held up by Ollie Chessum as more old Tigers teammates tussle, though there are at least two infringements in the formation of the maul beforehand. South Africa opt for a scrum.
South Africa 38-21 England, 76 minutes
18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s not quite full to the rafters, but Ellis Park looks a picture as the crowd are invited to light up their mobile phones. The Springboks supporters have enjoyed their evening out.
Andre Esterhuizen is being led off by two medics. Looks like a head injury for the versatile centre, who had come on in the back row. Jasper Wiese strips off again and returns to No 8.
South Africa 38-21 England, 75 minutes
18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good news for England – not that it’ll improve their mood much. The Tommy Freeman yellow card remains yellow – he may be back for the last rites.
Tommy Freeman is yellow-carded, and it'll be under review, as it leaves England a mountain to climb now with a man short for these last 10 minutes. 🟨 pic.twitter.com/hhqk2JBhm1
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 38-21 England (Malcolm Marx, 74 minutes)
18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A great heaving mass of tangled Springboks and there’s just no stopping them!
Malcolm Marx is the buried beneficiary, the hooker still at his plough 74 minutes into another colossal Test. Cheslin Kolbe knocks over the conversion.
YELLOW CARD! South Africa 31-21 England, 72 minutes
18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That may be that for England...particularly with Zachary Porthen running like that! The prop bowls over a couple.
And there’s another yellow card! An early tackle from Guy Pepper after the Porthen of doom, and England are down to 13 men.
YELLOW CARD! Tommy Freeman is sent to the sin bin! South Africa 31-21 England, 70 minutes
18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It meets the yellow card threshold – an off-field review and a sin binning, at least.
I suspect it’ll remain there, but foul play review officer Olly Hodges will look at the evidence.
TMO CHECK! South Africa 31-21 England, 70 minutes
18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eek – there’s shoulder to head contact, and Tommy Freeman is very upright. Was the force through the chest? Referee James Doleman makes that argument; TMO Richard Kelly seems less certain.
South Africa 31-21 England, 70 minutes
18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s bench have gone well here. Much, much more to do, though. Guy Pepper absolutely launches himself at Jan-Hendrik Wessels and just about lives to tell the tale...although was his challenge high? There was one before from Tommy Freeman that might need inspection, too.
TRY! South Africa 31-21 ENGLAND (Alex Coles, 69 minutes)
18:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
...and do! A gorgeous line from Henry Slade on to Alex Mitchell’s pass gathers momentum, and though the centre is dragged back a metre out, Alex Coles is not.
Fin Smith converts his Saints mate’s try – hope for England yet!
South Africa 31-14 England, 67 minutes
18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sotuh Africa fell the lineout drive...illegally. England must capitalise with advantage coming...
South Africa 31-14 England, 64 minutes
18:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Replacement South Africa hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels is out there, but so is Malcolm Marx. Wessels can play loosehead – I think Gerhard Steenekamp may have been replaced.
Andre Esterhuizen has added to the sizeable Springboks side, too. Asher Opoku-Fordjour is on at tighthead for England, and makes metres with his first charge. A penalty to England soon follows for a tackle off the ball.
South Africa 31-14 England, 64 minutes
18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Boos turn to cheers as Henry Pollock is introduced first to a South African shoulder and then the Ellis Park turf.
Damian Willemse has been so, so good. Another high ball looks to have him out of position – but I’m not sure such a thing exists for the full-back. An effortless ease to get underneath it and then a flying take.
South Africa 31-14 England, 63 minutes
18:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa are just keeping England at arm’s length here. They usually surge at some point in the final 20 minutes – and this Jesse Kriel try has left their lead sizeable already.
Jessie Kriel pulls away for the score, and it might be out of reach now for England with 20 minutes left to play. pic.twitter.com/v9pEa6oVq2
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
South Africa 31-14 England, 62 minutes
18:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tommy Freeman will take some thanking taps on the back from his forwards – the wing-cum-centre-cum-wing leaps high to prevent Manie Libbok’s punted penalty finding touch. England clear their lines.
South Africa 31-14 England, 60 minutes
18:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jesse Kriel juts out two would-be intercepting hands in a similar manner to Kurt-Lee Arendse in the first half. The fact that it is two rather than one saves him from a penalty punishment – and perhaps more with men over for England.
Penalty to South Africa at the scrum! Beno Obano’s first skirmish with youngster Zachary Porthen, who the Springboks staff love, ends with the Bath loosehead pinged.
South Africa 31-14 England, 59 minutes
18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, a bit happening with the England team. The boos tell you that Henry Pollock has arrived, persona non grata at Ellis Park greeted with a hostile welcome. George Martin is off, with Ollie Chessum into the second row and now captaining England after Beno Obano and Luke Cowan-Dickie replace Ellis Genge and Jamie George.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 31-14 England (Jesse Kriel, 57 minutes)
18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A fifth try for South Africa!
Damian Willemse has had a(nother) stormer today. The full-back injects himself at first receiver and appears to run down a blind alley, but finds an exit door, somehow, and passes the parcel to Malcolm Marx. England are all concertina-ed – Jesse Kriel is all alone. Cheslin Kolbe converts.
South Africa 24-14 England, 55 minutes
18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A fourth penalty of the half against England as they are pinged for taking a man in the air. Manie Libbok kicks towards the corner.
South Africa 24-14 England, 54 minutes
18:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Some Paul Daniels handling from Manie Libbok, pulling a pass out of the legs of Jack van Poortvliet to send Cheslin Kolbe into space. The kick that follows doesn’t match the pass – skewed into touch to let England off the hook a little.
England bring on Alex Mitchell for Van Poortvliet at scrum half, and Guy Pepper for Tom Curry in the back row. Henry Slade is coming on, too – Tommy Freeman has gone to the wing.
South Africa 24-14 England, 52 minutes
17:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ox Nche is warming up for South Africa, oddly. The looshead was replaced in the first 15 minutes with an injury. Will Rassie Erasmus find a way to get him back on the pitch? Already amongst things are flanker Ben-Jason Dixon, tighthead Zachary Porthen and openside Marco van Staden.
Ouch! Cadan Murley gets underneath Cheslin Kolbe as he pursues a box kick, and the Springboks wing comes down with a thud. Just a penalty against the Harlequin.
South Africa 24-14 England, 50 minutes
17:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Error on error. Jack van Poortvliet knocks the ball on after an Ollie Chessum tap back hits the deck.
Chessum is scrummaging at No 8 on South Africa’s feed, lending extra heft through the spine with Ben Earl and Tom Curry hanging onto the edge. A reset.
South Africa 24-14 England, 49 minutes
17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa clear their lines. How crucial could that miss be?
South Africa 24-14 England, 48 minutes
17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Oh! So close for Seb Atkinson, seemingly in untouched on to Fin Smith’s backdoor offload...but just failing to take!
It was a certain seven-pointer, too. A gilt-edged chance missed.
South Africa 24-14 England, 47 minutes
17:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Or are they? A foolish penalty soon after the restart and England can plunder the left corner.
South Africa show how to stall a maul but England still have the ball.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 24-14 England (Grant Williams, 45 minutes)
17:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s not always the bruisers! After the bludgeon, it’s a rapier run from Grant Williams as he snipes at Ollie Chessum and a handful of fatigued English forwards.
Cheslin Kolbe knocks over the extra two. The Springboks are back in their groove.
South Africa 17-14 England, 44 minutes
17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Up through the phases. 13, 14, 15, Damian Willemse and Damian de Allende joining their forwards and taking up the task.
Cameron Hanekom goes very close with carry No 17 of the passage.
South Africa 17-14 England, 43 minutes
17:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A big goalline stand for England if they can hold out here. They do a good job initially, but the waves of hulking Boks come onwards and onwards.
South Africa 17-14 England, 42 minutes
17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England fall foul of the new law directive around the maul, with those that have swum in front of the drive now required to make an effort to vacate the space rather than just drape themselves there. Tom Curry and Alex Coles don’t listen to referee James Doleman’s instructions.
The Springboks make more metres.
South Africa 17-14 England, 41 minutes
17:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jasper Wiese wins a breakdown penalty almost instantly. South Africa on the offensive to begin this second period.
Second half...
17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Earl made 15 carries in that first half – a busy boy. When do England turn to Henry Pollock and the rest of the bench? Steve Borthwick will surely have a strategy but will be cautious to avoid a repeat of the World Cup semi-final, when he replaced his props, hooker and George Martin and found the scrum battle decisively go South Africa’s way.
Back out there.
HT: South Africa 17-14 England
17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Walking in the vague vicinity of George Martin is frightening enough. This feels like the first time we’ve really seen him on the charge for England, and it didn’t look fun trying to stop him.
What power and what a score! 🏉💪
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
England, with one last chance before HT, get there, and it's George Martin with a fantastic try. Fin Smith adds the extras, and England, who looked dead and buried after 20 minutes, reduce the deficit to 3.
HT: 🇿🇦 17-14 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Dshorzj59E
HT: South Africa 17-14 England
17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Thumping stuff at Ellis Park as another Nations Championship Test match delivers. England’s coaches might have feared the worst as the Springboks ran rampant in the first 13 minutes, but the tourists have hit back superbly thereafter – with a bit of help from a harsh card shown to Kurt-Lee Arendse.
Springboks still favourites? You’d say so, but their depth has been eroded by those injuries to Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth pre-match, while Ox Nche has already been replaced by Gerhard Steenekamp.
HALF TIME: South Africa 17-14 England
17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! South Africa 17-14 ENGLAND (George Martin, 42 minutes)
17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
An elephantine charge across the savannah! George Martin is into the corner!
Mighty and mean from the giant second row, stomping with musth over the top of former Leicester Tigers teammate Jasper Wiese and two more for good measure. Clever from England to leave their megafauna on the edge, but that is some individual score from the second row.
Fin Smith converts to cap an excellent end to the half. England alive!
South Africa 17-7 England, 40 minutes
17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Superb from Fin Smith! The fly half spots space in the South Africa backfield and skuds a grubber out for a 50:22. The Springboks seem confused, but TMO Richard Kelly is certain the ball was not carried back – an excellent chance for England before the interval.
South Africa 17-7 England, 38 minutes
17:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Yowzer! So nearly a gift for Grant Williams, filling Kurt-Lee Arendse’s brief and plucking a pass from Jack van Poortvliet towards the right edge. Van Poortvliet holds his head in his hands, first in disbelief that he has thrown that pass, then in disbelief that he has dropped it.
Just a knock-on, this time. Arendse is back with us.
South Africa 17-7 England, 38 minutes
17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
I said I felt England needed a couple of tries in the sin-bin period – we’re ticking towards that time now.
Paul de Villiers, the newest Springbok, does them a favour by knifing off his feet with England under pressure 15 metres from their own line. Good work from Marcus Smith to extricate himself from danger beforehand.
TRY! South Africa 17-7 ENGLAND (Ellis Genge, 36 minutes)
17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Punchy and powerful and finally England have joy!
Ellis Genge goes it alone – literally, not telling his teammates he is tapping and thus very fortunate that he ploughs over the top of Thomas du Toit to the line. Some collision, that; and a crucial England try.
Genge looks to be ticking, wandering back with a scowl as Fin Smith’s conversion bisects ‘em.
South Africa 17-0 England, 35 minutes
17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Better from the visitors! Away to the left with Tommy Freeman offloading well, and a roaming Feyi-Waboso providing extra hands from the blindside wing. Cadan Murley is hauled back by Damian Willemse only 10 metres short.
South Africa 17-0 England, 33 minutes
17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A little grubber from Seb Atkinson into the space left vacant by South Africa’s absent left winger nonetheless wastes more time on the sin bin period. Too much on it for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to stay interested, and the Springboks are just finding ways to relieve the strain, with colossal carries or through booming boots, which are sailing at altitude.
South Africa 17-0 England, 32 minutes
17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ellis Genge prevents the pressure building with a high tackle on Paul de Villiers. South Africa boot the ball upfield from the penalty.
Here’s that Arendse incident. I really don’t know...
Sin-bin South Africa 🟨
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
Kurt-Lee Arendse is sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-in.
Can England take full advantage? pic.twitter.com/x9n3C234bs
South Africa 17-0 England, 31 minutes
17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
So nearly a horror moment from Cheslin Kolbe! The wing literally jumps out of the way of the ball, believing it have set the satnav for the touchline, only for it to stall. Ollie Chessum steals in but brushes a boot on the chalk – if not, England’s big blindside flanker was over for the score. Cor, that was close.
South Africa 17-0 England, 30 minutes
17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England need a couple of tries in the next 10 minutes, you’d say. A canny kick into the space that Arendse would usually cover is clever, but the hop is unkind to Cadan Murley, a bucking bullfrog that leaps instead into the arms of Jesse Kriel.
YELLOW CARD! Kurt-Lee Arendse is sent to the sin bin! South Africa 17-0 England, 28 minutes
17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TMO Richard Kelly wants a look at this...christ, that’s harsh! It’s a yellow card for Arendse, who had got himself ahead of the ball and then thrust up a hand! There is a linebreak opportunity, I suppose, but I’m not sure what the officials want him to do at such short range.
Referee James Doleman sends him away for ten minutes on the not-so-naughty step.
South Africa 17-0 England, 28 minutes
17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Solid enough from England, who then win the ball back in the air with Cadan Murley doing superbly.
Eesh! Don’t throw those, Marcus – full-back Smith just about puts enough oomph into his delivery to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to prevent Kurt-Lee Arendse nabbing it and heading off in pursuit of the posts. A knock-on from Arendse, but so nearly seven more.
South Africa 17-0 England, 26 minutes
17:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ruan Nortje can’t claim it at the tail as Malcolm Marx doesn’t quite find the right parabola. Respite, of sorts, for England – though there is a scrum to feed 20 metres out.
South Africa 17-0 England, 24 minutes
17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Almost a strike from deep! Grant Williams bursts between England’s lineout defenders and into the opposition half, with Pieter-Steph du Toit there in support. The tourists scramble really well to corral him, and force a knock on.
But little is going their way! A fine clearing kick from Marcus Smith is replied to in kind by an even better one from Damian Willemse, like a tall six-iron arcing on to the putting surface and just checking as he intended. Out over the touchline it tumbles inside the 22 – that’ll be South Africa’s throw.
What a nudge! 🏉
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
Marcus Smith hits a fine clearance kick from his own 22, but Willemse one-ups him and returns it for a 50-22.
All going the Springboks' way.. pic.twitter.com/qPP3QfRvsY
South Africa 17-0 England, 23 minutes
17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Seb Atkinson has carried with good bite from inside centre, but England are just losing the collision battle too often. Tommy Freeman hurries into a one-handed toss that isn’t quite quarterback quality.
A kick to touch grants South Africa a lineout.
South Africa 17-0 England, 22 minutes
17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A free kick, inevitably, means we’ll have to wait for what could be a box-office set-piece battle against statistically the two best scrums in men’s international rugby. England play away and attempt to inject tempo.
South Africa 17-0 England, 21 minutes
17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Every loose ball seems to be falling South Africa’s way. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is beaten by the similarly springy Kurt-Lee Arendse and there are Springboks hands there to clutch it in the catching cordon.
An error! Gerhard Steenekamp fumbles on the rumble. Time for a scrum skirmish.
WATCH: How the Springboks scored their third
17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
From one wing to the other! 🪽
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
South Africa win a free-kick, and this time it's Kurt-Lee Arendse who finishes in the corner. 🏉
How can England cope with this? 🫣 pic.twitter.com/Pu53ZsSGBY
South Africa 17-0 England, 19 minutes
17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It feels like this could get ugly for England. An aerial miscollection ends up with Pieter-Steph du Toit roaming free with Malcolm Marx in the sidecar, and only an errant offload and fumble prevent the pair from speeding out into the suburbs. Blimey.
NO TRY! South Africa 17-0 England, 18 minutes
17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Would you believe it? George is bound in while Jack van Poortvliet has his hands on the ball as well – NO TRY, offside, penalty to South Africa!
All that toil for nowt. One dares not overreact but that feels a potentially fatal moment after that fast start.
TRY! South Africa 17-5 ENGLAND (Jamie George, 18 minutes)
17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A captain’s score just when England needed it! Boy, did that take some heavy artillery, the England forwards out on their feet pretty much as hooker Jamie George just about gets the ball to ground. It’s a good job he scored it...or did he? TMO Richard Kelly wants to check he is legal before he picks up...
South Africa 17-0 England, 17 minutes
17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here come the rest of the heavy mob, George Martin, Alex Coles, Joe Heyes and the rest all searching for close-in channels. Surely there is space somewhere? South Africa hold firm for now.
South Africa 17-0 England, 16 minutes
17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Knocked on inches out...but there’s a penalty! Marcus Smith got close, Ben Earl closer still, and when the ball pops free there are a few agonised looks on English faces. Back for an offside infringement, though, which Ellis Genge will tap off the floor and carry again.
South Africa 17-0 England, 15 minutes
16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England just haven’t managed to get their strike runners into the game. This is better, though, Tommy Freeman and Ben Earl on the offensive after Fin Smith had sauntered into space. Into the 22...
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 17-0 England (Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 minutes)
16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ruthless. Relentless. Remarkable.
It’s three tries inside 13 minutes, and another clinical score. The blueprint is simply, rugged, wretched, rough carrying around the corner and then clinical handling to exploit the space out wide. Kurt-Lee Arendse is the end man on the line and too quick and powerful for Marcus Smith, despite a strong shot from the full-back.
Just about the only thing not working for the Springboks is Cheslin Kolbe’s boot – a second missed conversion from the tee, though they won’t much mind if this continues.
South Africa 12-0 England, 12 minutes
16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ollie Chessum gets up to steal the lineout, but only b ecause England closed the gap. Free kick, and off the Springboks go with advantage coming, too...
South Africa 12-0 England, 11 minutes
16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England can’t get out of their own way. Cadan Murley wins a high ball cleanly for the first time, but is penalised for holding on as the cackling South African jackals arrive with menace and multitude. Jasper Wiese the man to get the turnover.
Back into the right-hand corner.
South Africa 12-0 England, 9 minutes
16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Dreadful news – Ox Nche is done for! It looked like he rolled his ankle at the end of that break before the try, with George Martin a pretty hefty man to land on the leg. The prop doesn’t look happy to be hauled off but he’s limping as he argues with the medics.
Gerhard Steenekamp repalces him. More disruption for South Africa – not that it has mattered so far...
South Africa 12-0 England, 9 minutes
16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England look shellshocked. We’ve not yet played 10 minutes in Johannesburg and the errors are already coming with regularity. Jamie George gathers the ranks for a calming word or seventy after Ox Nche goes down in need of treatment.
What a start from the Springboks! 🇿🇦
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 4, 2026
Nche somehow evades the tackle and gets South Africa into a perfect position. The ball is then spread out to Kolbe, and do we need to say any more? pic.twitter.com/tJRt06qHEm
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 12-0 England (Cheslin Kolbe, 6 minutes)
16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two in five minutes! This is scintillating Springboks rugby!
Cheslin Kolbe’s the scorer, but give the credit to Ox Nche. The loosehead absolutely cannons through the defensive line, exploding out of the tackles of two forwards in Jamie George and Ollie Chessum – England’s captain and vice-captain.
Statement made, South Africa take full advantage, with Kolbe’s fast feet too much for Cadan Murley to handle. Not that anyone would have had a prayer in that sort of one-on-one situation.
South Africa 5-0 England, 4 minutes
16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England just a little ragged early on, the ball hitting the deck again as Cadan Murley fails to make a clean catch. Marcus Smith sweeps up well, but the backfield is beaten again as the ubiquitous Damian Willemse gathers his own up-and-under.
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 5-0 England (Thomas du Toit, 3 minutes)
16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
You don’t stop Thomas du Toit from there! Tank-like for Bath over the last few seasons and now back in Springboks green and simply too strong for the English fringe fighters. The tighthead burrows in.
Cheslin Kolbe is dusted down and on goalkicking duties...away to the right. But it’s some start from South Africa – and ominous for England.
South Africa 0-0 England, 2 minutes
16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Over the top of the lineout and Cheslin Kolbe is taken out in the air! A penalty coming against Ben Earl, but South Africa fancy more...
South Africa 0-0 England, 2 minutes
16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Penalty to South Africa! A fumble on the floor from England and Tommy Freeman plays the ball in an offside position, before holding on for good measure.
Posts? Nah – to the corner Manie Libbok prods them.
South Africa 0-0 England, 1 minute
16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Earl is belted back by Kurt-Lee Arendse after taking a high hanging kick off. Strong start from the Springboks.
Jack van Poortvliet goes to the air but Immanuel Feyi-Waboso overruns it, allowing Damian Willemse to claim in relative comfort.
KICK OFF!
16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A blast of the whistle from referee James Doleman and Manie Libbok gets the action underway.
Anthems
16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The England squad give full-throated accompaniment to their national anthem, belted out impressively by tenor Thabiso Masemene. Few others strike up the tune.
Jodi Fredericks has the backing of a rather larger choir right around this grand old cathedral of rugby. Siya Kolisi joins in from among the coaching staff, the regular Springboks skipper no doubt disappointed to miss out on another change to tangle with England. Spine tingling. Let’s get going!
South Africa vs England
16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Impi warriors welcome the South African squad on to the pitch, one of the trio getting a little too close to comfort to the England squad and getting a glower from Ellis Genge. I fancy that the prop will be up for this.
South Africa vs England
16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It does feel like the door has creaked open another crack or two for England with those injuries. Make no mistake, victory here would be some achievement – Ellis Park looks fit to burst, with only a small smattering of white shirts among the green and gold throng.
Final touches ✅#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/UVn1G2T6wz
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 4, 2026
How does the late disruption change things?
16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa have shown in the past that they are capable of dealing with this sort of late disruption, but that pack certainly looks very different with no Eben Etzebeth or Siya Kolisi in it. Pieter-Steph du Toit is a handy man to have as a deputy both as captain and lock, but his move from the blindside changes the complexion of the back five – England will surely feel confident they can challenge them at the lineout particularly with their three long-limbed jumpers.
South Africa vs England match officials
16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Foul Play Review Officer: Olly Hodges (Ire)
England centre Seb Atkinson ready to test himself against Damian de Allende
16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Seb Atkinson is ready to leave his mark on a player who has influenced his own game when he collides with Damian de Allende in England’s clash with South Africa.
Atkinson made his Gallagher Prem debut against Manu Tuilagi and then faced Springbok giant Andre Esterhuizen in his first league start, but at Ellis Park awaits arguably a tougher assignment than either of those midfield juggernauts.
De Allende has been a mainstay of South Africa’s successive World Cup triumphs and with 97 caps the 6’2”, 17 stone inside centre has the experience to match his physical prowess.
England centre Seb Atkinson ready to test himself against Damian de Allende
Can Manie Libbok seize his chance?
16:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Were Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fit, it feels a virtual certainty that he’d be stationed at No 10 for the Springboks – but the trust that Rassie Erasmus feels in Manie Libbok is clear from the fact that he is the only specialist fly half in the matchday squad. England will no doubt look to fluster a player they successfully disrupted to such an extent in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final that he was hooked before half time – but a dry day in Johannesburg will suit Libbok more than a rainy night in Paris.
Henry Pollock will take on South Africa forwards with a smile – Steve Borthwick
15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England star Henry Pollock is being backed by Steve Borthwick to come out smiling if targeted by South Africa’s giant forwards in Saturday’s Ellis Park collision.
Pollock is the England player Springbok fans love to hate and is happy to play the pantomime villain after departing for the July tour with an Instagram post saying “See you soon” followed by a South African flag and a drop of blood emoji.
Apart from being trolled by the world champions’ supporters online and the centre of attention amongst local media, the headline-grabbing 21-year-old has also been criticised by former players with Schalk Burger calling him a “TikTok dancer who plays a bit of rugby”.
Henry Pollock will take on South Africa forwards with a smile – Steve Borthwick
Team news – England
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jamie George leads England with Maro Itoje rested from the Nations Championship. The return of George Martin to the second row is welcome in Itoje’s absence, allowing Ollie Chessum to remain on the blindside after a standout performance against France at the end of the Six Nations.
Henry Pollock is withheld on the bench as Tom Curry and Ben Earl are preferred in the starting back row, while George Furbank had been due to start at full-back but has been ruled out after being rushed to hospital with appendicitis.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt.), 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Alex Coles, 5 George Martin; 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Henry Slade.
Team news – South Africa
15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa have been forced into a late double change with captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth ruled out. Pieter-Steph du Toit skippers the side with Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom brought into the starting XV, the former on debut.
Ben-Jason Dixon joins the bench. Manie Libbok is trusted at fly half in the absence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit; 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt.), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Cameron Hanekom, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacments: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Canan Moodie.
South Africa vs England
15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
One subplot to look out for today is the tactical battle. South Africa snapped up England analysis guru Joe Lewis at the conclusion of his contract, with coaches I’ve spoken to split on the impact the move might have. Lewis will have taken plenty of IP with him – but rugby is a game of more than just numbers, and Steve Borthwick will have come up with a bespoke plan of his own for this clash.
Springboks add key member of England staff ahead of Nations Championship meeting
South Africa issue strong statement on ‘erroneous’ reports of poor ticket sales for England clash
15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
South Africa Rugby has hit out at what it describes as “erroneous and misinformed” suggestions that Ellis Park would be far from full for the Nations Championship clash with England rugby.
The Springboks take on Steve Borthwick’s side in their opening fixture of the new competition in Johannesburg in England’s first visit for eight years.
Reports had suggested, though, that the spiritual home of South African rugby would be far from full for the encounter after ticket prices were initially set high for the fixture.
South Africa issue statement on ‘erroneous’ reports on ticket sales for England clash
Are England ready for altitude?
15:15 , PA
While not posing quite the same challenge as the 7,220 feet heigh Azteca Stadium where England face Mexico in the last 16 of the World Cup in the early hours of Monday, Ellis Park’s location 5,750 feet above sea level will still provide a formidable conditioning challenge.
Under Eddie Jones in 2018, England misjudged their preparation and having raced into a 24-3 lead in the opening 18 minutes, they ran out of gas and eventually lost 42-39. Borthwick’s men arrived in Johannesburg 10 days before their clash with South Africa and before setting off completed gruelling Wattbike sessions while wearing oxygen-restricting altitude training masks. The expectation is that this time they will be ready.
This piece, meanwhile, from Jack Rathborn and Kieran Jackson may have a football focus but is highly interesting.
‘It catches you off guard’: The true impact of Azteca altitude for England vs Mexico
England change confirmed
15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s official – George Furbank has been ruled out for England, with Marcus Smith starting at full-back and Henry Slade on to the bench.
Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth ruled out!
15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Huge news from South Africa – captain Siya Kolisi and lock Eben Etzebeth are OUT! Pieter-Steph du Toit skippers the side with Paul de Villiers making his debut.
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
You may, at this point, be wondering what the Nations Championship actually is – luckily, our one-stop shop explainer has everything covered:
What is the Nations Championship? Rugby’s new-look north vs south competition
South Africa's Nations Championship fixtures
14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 4 July: South Africa vs England (4.40pm BST, Johannesburg)
Saturday 11 July: South Africa vs Scotland (4.40pm BST, Pretoria)
Saturday 18 July: South Africa vs Wales (4.40pm BST, Durban)
Nations Championship schedule, kick-off times and how to watch
South Africa forced into late change?
14:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Some reports in South Africa, seemingly well sourced, are suggesting that both Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth might be ruled out through injury. We’ll let you know if or when that is official.
England's Nations Championship fixtures
14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 4 July: South Africa vs England (4.40pm BST, Johannesburg)
Saturday 11 July: Fiji vs England (2.10pm BST, Liverpool)
Saturday 18 July: Argentina vs England (8pm BST, Santiago del Estero)
Steve Borthwick’s vague words underline the tall task facing England this summer
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Backed by the RFU hierarchy after the Six Nations, Steve Borthwick was nonetheless vague on what would change for England over the next few weeks – partly because the task really is tall and itinerary so tough:
Steve Borthwick’s vague words underline the tall task facing England this summer
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
