Springboks Triumph Over England in Thrilling Autumn Nations Clash
South Africa secured a hard-fought victory over England, winning 29-20 in the Autumn Nations Series match at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 16 November 2024. The result marked England’s fifth consecutive defeat, mirroring their current struggles under head coach Steve Borthwick.
The match began positively for England, with wing Ollie Sleightholme scoring a try within the first three minutes. However, South Africa quickly responded with three unanswered tries from Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Cheslin Kolbe, establishing a 19-10 lead. England managed to narrow the deficit before half-time thanks to a powerful try from Sam Underhill, leaving the score at 19-17.
In the second half, England briefly took the lead with a penalty from Marcus Smith, putting them ahead 20-19. Yet, South Africa’s resilience shone through. Handré Pollard converted a penalty before Kolbe’s second try sealed the match for the Springboks, despite them being reduced to 14 men for the closing stages.
Post-match reactions highlighted England’s frustrations and the recurring theme of missed opportunities. Captain Jamie George acknowledged the effort from the team but expressed disappointment at their failure to capitalize on scoring chances, particularly in the second half. Borthwick also pointed to the need for improved execution and discipline.
As it stands, England’s recent performances have raised questions regarding their tactical direction, and despite moments of promise, their lack of consistency remains a significant challenge moving forward into their next game against Japan.
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