England were handed the toughest possible start to international rugby union’s brand new competition as they travelled to take on reigning back-to-back world champions South Africa on opening weekend.
The Springboks were typically dominant at their high-altitude Ellis Park fortress in Johannesburg, scoring three tries in the first 11 minutes as their visitors were initially blown away, but clawed back to 17-14 at the break before a punishing second half saw them eventually thrashed 45-21.
Though few realistically ever expected England to go to South Africa and win, the manner of the defeat has only added to the sense of growing concern…
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