‘It’s painful but we’re on the right path’: Borthwick positive despite Springbok defeat

England's Jamie George leads his team off the field after a fifth successive defeat. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Observer

Steve Borthwick still believes his England side are on track to become a successful team but the head coach admitted a fifth consecutive Test defeat was a “painful” experience for all concerned. England had not lost three November Tests in a row since 2006 and have now managed just four wins in 11 matches in 2024.

Excluding their summer tour game against Japan, England’s only other victory in the past nine months has been at home to Ireland in March. Otherwise they have lost to Scotland, France, New Zealand (three times), Australia and now South Africa and have slipped to seventh in the world rankings.