​JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — South Africa crushed England 45-21 following a dazzling three-try burst at the outset in the Nations Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Springboks’ stunning start, racing to a 17-0 lead in just 12 minutes, gave the two-time world champions a cushion they rode to their largest victory over England in 18 years. Although England fought back to trail by only three at halftime, South Africa’s powerful ball carrying and clinical finishing proved decisive, and the visitors finished with 13 men on the field.
Early on, England’s defense buckled as Damian Willemse sprinted for the try line and Thomas du Toit burrowed over. A Willemse chip-and-chase set up Cheslin Kolbe, who finished in the right corner after Ox Nche shrugged off Ollie Chessum and Jamie George. Kolbe converted his own try. Nche then left the field injured, and moments later Kurt-Lee Arendse slipped past Marcus Smith to score in the left corner, with Kolbe adding the extras. The first three entries into England’s 22 produced three tries, underscoring a devastating start for South Africa.
Despite the early disruption with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined by an ankle injury and Eben Etzebeth reportedly concussed, the Boks’ intensity remained high. England shuffled again when fullback George Furbank was ruled out with appendicitis after two years of trying to earn selection. Furbank’s replacement, Marcus Smith, helped England regain composure as they finally kept possession, and his namesake Finn Smith punctuated a spell of improved play with a solid kicking game. George had a try ruled out for offside, but Ellis Genge bartered a penalty to himself and crashed over, while George Martin bulldozed Jasper Wiese and Kolbe to notch England’s first try.
The visitors carried momentum into halftime, but South Africa returned in the second half with efficiency. Scrum-half Grant Williams darted through for a fourth try in the 45th minute, with Kolbe adding the conversion as his kicking improved. Jesse Kriel followed with a score, though England’s discipline briefly interrupted the flow as Alex Coles entered the scoresheet before Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper were shown their 10th and 9th yellow cards of the year for the visitors. The onslaught concluded with converted tries from Malcolm Marx and Ben-Jason Dixon, sealing South Africa’s highest score and largest margin against England since a 42-6 win at Twickenham in 2008.