Huge battle at Twickenham. And in the end, it’s (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 tumble battle. Like their recent encounters, the start of the English game augured well for the future.

Three-quarter wing Ollie Sleightholme scored the first try for the players in white in the opening minutes of the match (4th). Caught cold and off guard, the Boks reacted immediately through the lively Grant Williams, who had fun in the English rearguard (11th). The colossal Pieter-Steph du Toit, building on his team’s good momentum, went over with a try (17th), after two unusual counter-attacks, before seeing his supersonic winger Cheslin Kolbe deliver the first scores of his day’s recital (22nd). The home side responded to the South Africans with Sam Underhill (26th). Five tries in a fiery, hard-fought first half. But in this game, the Springboks are the fiercest.

Cheslin Kolbe’s legs are still on fire

Steve Borthwick’s men had plenty of chances to pull back to within a few points of South Africa in the dying seconds, but they were clumsy at every turn, particularly in touch. That’s all it took to see Kolbe crucify England (63rd), once again propelled into the White goal by his phenomenal speed. Rassie Erasmus’ team didn’t need to stage their dreaded “Bomb Squad” to have the last word. Handre Pollard came on as a second-half substitute and used his magic boot to secure a penalty from over 50 meters. Surgical.

The Sudafs’, after dictating the law last weekend in Scotland (15-32), sign another solid success and confirm their domination of world rugby. For their part, England suffered a fifth consecutive defeat, including three against New Zealand (22-24), Australia (37-42) and then the Boks in this autumn series. The XV de la Rose have not tasted victory since January 22, 2024. South Africa, on the other hand, is queen.