Summary

  • England thrashed by world champions South Africa in their opening Nations Championship fixture at Ellis Park in Johannesburg

  • Steve Borthwick's side have now lost five matches in a row and once again have discipline issues

  • South Africa stunned England with three tries in opening 12 minutes before Kurt-Lee Arendse is sin-binned

  • Ellis Genge and George Martin score late in first half as England cut deficit to 17-14 at half-time

  • Grant Williams and Jesse Kriel tries extend South Africa's lead before Alex Coles crashes over

  • England have Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper sin-binned as Springboks score two late tries and have one disallowed

  • England face Fiji in Liverpool next weekend before travelling to Argentina the following week

Send us your views

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:40 BST 4 July

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    The Boks are more powerful, better organised, make fewer mistakes, and have genuine X-factor in their back three. Not one England player would get close to the SA matchday squad.

    Paul, Lincoln

  2. Postpublished at 17:38 BST 4 July

    HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Having led 24-3 after 20 minutes in 2018, England conceded five tries either side of half-time as they lost 42-39 against South Africa at Ellis Park, 1,800m above sea level.

    The England bench, which includes Henry Pollock, will play a big role.

  3. Postpublished at 17:36 BST 4 July

    HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Kurt-Lee Arendse's try put South Africa 17-0 up on 11 minutes.

    It looked like it could be a hammering.

    England have fought back and remain well in this one.

    Will the altitude play a factor?

  4. 'Perfect play at the perfect time'published at 17:34 BST 4 July

    HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    Perfect play at the perfect time. That's what England have been missing, that brute force. Martin went straight over the top of Kolbe.

    We were fearing the worst after the opening 15 minutes but England have got their composure back and Fin Smith has had the chance to start pulling the strings.

  5. Postpublished at 17:31 BST 4 July

    South Africa 17-14 England

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    What a finish! The big man takes Boks with him into the corner and England are back in it!

  6. Half-time - South Africa 17-14 Englandpublished at 17:30 BST 4 July

    England were 17-0 down after three early tries. What a response.

  7. try

    Converted try - South Africa 17-14 Englandpublished at 42 mins

    George Martin (con Fin Smith)

    George Martin smashes his way up the wing to score. Game on!

    Fin Smith nails the conversion from the touchline.

    George MartinImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 40 mins

    South Africa 17-7 England

    Marcus Smith kicks a 50-22. Here come England under penalty advantage.

  9. Postpublished at 17:28 BST 4 July

    South Africa 17-7 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    Absolutely vital England got a score in the sin-bin period.

    Ellis Genge will have enjoyed that because he bumped off Thomas du Toit to score and he'll likely let him know that in the next scrum.

  10. Postpublished at 40 mins

    South Africa 17-7 England

    Grant Williams is next to drop an attempted intercept. He should have caught it, it goes right through both hands.

  11. Postpublished at 39 mins

    South Africa 17-7 England

    Marcus Smith does well to tidy up a dropped ball. England win a penalty and clear.

    They will take this first half.

  12. try

    Converted try - South Africa 17-7 Englandpublished at 36 mins

    Ellis Genge (con Fin Smith)

    Finally. Ellis Genge taps and bulldozes his way over. All Genge power.

  13. Postpublished at 35 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    Cadan Murley puts the hammer down to go deep into South Africa's 22.

  14. Postpublished at 34 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    South Africa slow things down and clear. Nearly half of the yellow card gone.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:21 BST 4 July

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Evidently, England's record at Ellis Park will continue. This could be an annihilation job by South Africa. Not even close.

    N Hughes, Wirral

    I honestly believe if we don't compete well in this series then time might be up for Borthwick. Come on England.

    Karl, London

  16. Postpublished at 31 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    Cheslin Kolbe leaves the ball and Ollie Chessum nicks in to dot down. His foot is out, though.

    What was Kolbe doing?

  17. Postpublished at 30 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    HUGE 10 minutes for England. They have done well to compete after the early madness.

  18. Sin-bin - South Africa (Kurt-Lee Arendse)published at 29 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    Kurt-Lee Arendse is given a yellow card for knocking on with England on the attack.

  19. Postpublished at 28 mins

    South Africa 17-0 England

    Cadan Murley, arguably England's best player, wins another ball in the air.

  20. Postpublished at 17:13 BST 4 July

    South Africa 17-0 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    The South Africa defensive blitz is fast and furious, and accurate.

    They are very disciplined with it too, no-one is taking any chances.

    South Africa stop EnglandImage source, Getty Images