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

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Live Reporting

Alastair Telfer

  1. What is the Nations Championship?

    South Africa v England (16:40 BST)

    The Nations Championship pits the northern hemisphere teams who compete in the Six Nations - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy - against southern hemisphere giants South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, plus invited sides Fiji and Japan.

    All teams will play each of the six in the opposing hemisphere once, with three rounds of fixtures staged in July and another three in November.

    Their results will rank the teams within their own hemisphere, from one to six.

    On the final weekend in November, there is a three-day play-off event staged at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.

    How does the Nations Championship work?

  2. Welcome

    South Africa v England (16:40 BST)

    World champions South Africa host England at the iconic Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

    Test matches do not get bigger.

    Strap yourself in.

    2026 Nations ChampionshipGetty Images