The South African world champions firmly established themselves at Twickenham this Saturday against England, as part of the autumn test matches.
Huge fight at Twickenham. And in the end, it is (almost always) the South Africans who win… On Saturday, the Sprinboks won in England against the XV de la Rose. Victory for the world champions (29-20) after a rough and tough fight. Like their last meetings, the start of the English match augured good things.
Wing three-quarter Ollie Sleightholme scored the players' first try in the first minutes of the match (4th). Cold picked and upset, the Boks reacted immediately through the vivacious Grant Williams, who had fun in the English rearguard (11th). The colossus Pieter-Steph du Toit, on the good momentum of his team, left his try (17th), after two unusual counterattacks before seeing his supersonic winger Cheslin Kolbe deliver the first scores of his recital of the day (22nd). The locals were able to respond to the South Africans in force, thanks to Sam Underhill (26th). Five tries therefore in a first period of fire, bitter and (more than) disputed. But in this game, the Springboks are the fiercest.
Cheslin Kolbe still has her fiery legs
The XV de la Rose players had numerous opportunities to come back to within a few points and make South Africa tremble in the final seconds, but Steve Borthwick's men were clumsy each time, particularly on the touchline. It was enough to see Kolbe crucify England (63rd), once again, propelled into the Whites' goal by his phenomenal speed. Rassie Erasmus' team did not need to stage its terrible “Bomb Squad” to have the last word. Coming into play in the second half, Handre Pollard was responsible for using his magic boot to secure a penalty of more than 50 meters. Surgical.
The Sudafs', after having dictated their law last weekend in Scotland (15-32), sign another solid success and confirm their domination of world rugby. For their part, the English suffered a fifth consecutive loss, including three against New Zealand (22-24), Australia (37-42) and therefore the Boks in this autumn series. The XV de la Rose has not tasted victory since January 22, 2024. South Africa is queen.
