Frustration: England’s inconsistent 2022 ended on a frustrating note against South Africa at Twickenham
(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)The smallest player on the pitch posed the biggest problems as 14-man South Africa claimed their second-biggest Twickenham win over a naive, sloppy and immature England.
Kurt-Lee Arendse’s searing score left England clutching at thin air in attempting to tackle the wispy wing, making a mockery of England’s idea of needing massive men all over the park.
South Africa lost replacement prop Thomas du Toit to a red card with 20 minutes to play – and still seemed comfortable in holding on for their victory.
The Springboks have only ever bettered their 27-13 victory margin at Twickenham once, in the 29-11 triumph of November 1997.
England rallied for a late score through Henry Slade, but that strike was too little, too late from Eddie Jones’ muddled, bested and humbled hosts.
Had Du Toit not been sent off for smashing into Luke Cowan-Dickie’s head, South Africa would have coasted to a record win. Even despite the late scoreline gloss of Slade’s try, England still end their 2022 calendar year with more losses than wins.
The six defeats, five wins and one draw sum up a side not just in attacking transition, but still soul-searching – less than a year from the World Cup.
Jonny Hill’s needless, niggly penalty effectively let South Africa in for Eben Etzebeth’s try. Only a major reversal of fortunes in next year’s Six Nations can put Jones’ men back on World Cup track.
Nothing went right for England in an abject first half. Well, except for the fact that referee Angus Gardner somehow did not send any home players to the sin bin.
Owen Farrell missed two regulation penalties in the first quarter, to sit either side of the shot at goal he did manage to convert.
England rode their luck in a defensive maul on their own line when Jonny Hill and Kyle Sinckler were both in at the side and Alex Coles collapsed the drive. South Africa could not turn the penalty into a try, with captain Siya Kolisi held up over the line.
Damian Willemse slotted a drop goal to push South Africa 6-3 ahead. If that seemed scant reward for their dominance of both territory and possession, a lightning break changed all that.
Marcus Smith overhit his high bomb, Freddie Steward fell for a soft piece of pseudo-blocking from Arendse, and the Boks were off.
Willemse fielded the ball and fed Willie Le Roux down the right wing. The full-back raced on, drew what cover was left and then sent Arendse flying home.
Diminutive wing Arendse stood up Smith before skinning him, but hardly needed have bothered, so facile was the finish.
Faf de Klerk slotted a penalty to close the half, to leave South Africa 14-3 to the good, and deservedly so at the break. Willemse booted his second drop goal to open the second half, with Maro Itoje and Etzebeth tangling at the ruck to spark a tussle between both packs.
England had replaced their entire front row at the break, with Jack Nowell also stepping onto the wing ahead of Tommy Freeman. Jones clearly sent out the revamped England side with strict instructions to ruffle a few feathers.
This backfired in spectacular fashion when Hill hauled De Klerk out of a ruck by his collar, to gift South Africa a penalty deep in the England 22.
Tom Curry was sin-binned as a result of continued Springbok pressure, and Etzebeth powered in for a try just moments later. De Klerk’s conversion put the visitors 24-6 to the good with half an hour to play.
The former Sale scrum-half slotted another penalty to push the Boks even further ahead before the hour, only for Du Toit to gift England a route back into the contest.
The Sharks prop smashed into Cowan-Dickie’s head with his shoulder, and duly received the red card for his troubles. England bungled two penalty lineouts despite their man advantage, as the hosts’ errant display continued.
Ben Youngs finally injected some life into proceedings from a quick-tap penalty, allowing Slade to step home for a try. That consolation stopped England suffering a record home defeat. On a chastening day, that proved a pretty wretched positive.
