England bashed by Boks

Second-half tries from Willem Alberts and Lwazi Mvovo ensured victory for South Africa over a disappointing England at Twickenham.

Martin Johnson's side were looking to round off a successful autumn campaign with a third win in four games, but after a bright start were steamrollered by the Springboks, who ran out 21-11 victors.

The sides were level at half-time but after losing the influential Tom Croft and Toby Flood shortly before the break, conceded a soft penalty straight after and it was all South Africa thereafter as England wilted under pressure.

Replacement Alberts was sent over in the right hand corner before debutant winger Mvovo ghosted through a stationary England back line five minutes later to effectively seal matters.

An intercept try from full-back Ben Foden two minutes from the end represented scant consolation for Johnson's men, who battled hard but ultimately failed to deal with the might of the Springboks pack.

Following on from wins against Australia and Samoa hopes were high that England had finally come of age, and were set to end South Africa's unbeaten run of six games against them.

But they were fortunate to go into into the break on level terms after early warning signs that the infamous Boks forwards were getting the upper hand.

Exposed

Flood opened the scoring early on after Jannie du Plessis illegally took out Ben Youngs after the England scrum-half had taken a tap penalty.

Chris Ashton then suffered a blow to the head in a tackle on Victor Matfield, which left the Northampton wing slurring his words and referee George Clancy urging England's medics to take him off.

Ashton refused but was almost immediately exposed as Francois Steyn switched play and floated a long pass for Mvovo but the rookie wing spilled it with a try beckoning.

The penalty count was rising and when England conceded another free-kick followed by a penalty, Morne Steyn was able to level the scores.

But the hosts responded and when Shontayne Hape was taken out in the air on half-way, Flood went for touch.

England drove forward from the lineout through Andrew Sheridan before Steyn hit the ruck from the side and Flood nailed the penalty.

England defended brilliantly after Foden had been caught in possession and conceded a five-metre scrum, the Springboks creating an opening for Victor Matfield who seemed set to score, only for Courtney Lawes to pull off an outstanding tackle on the line.

But they suffered a blow when Croft ambled off with a shoulder injury after 21 minutes, and the tourists continued to pile on pressure in the opposition 22, although when Steyn was presented with a simple penalty chance he surprisingly pulled it left of the uprights.

Namesake Francois also shaved a post with a long range effort but once again South Africa pressed, Pierre Spies failing to offload to Gio Aplon allowing Foden the chance to carry him into touch.

Flood, injured in the build-up to the Matfield effort, failed to make the interval and was replaced by Charlie Hodgson, while opposite number Steyn levelled four minutes before the end of the half after England spoiled a ruck on their own line.

Camped

Three minutes after the break and South Africa were ahead for the first time - veteran Mike Tindall spotted in an offside position.

England responded well though, driving towards the line through Dylan Hartley and Nick Easter, and although they camped on the try-line for several minutes looking for an opening, Easter was hit by three defenders and the ball fell clear as the Springboks survived.

South Africa began to ring the changes with prop CJ Van Der Linde and flanker Willem Alberts sent on - and both made an immediate impact.

The England scrum struggled as the Springboks wheeled one and then hooked a ball against the head. Morne Steyn kicked ahead and Cueto conceded the lineout.

South Africa drove through phase after phase before moving the ball wide and Spies' wonderful, delayed pass sent Alberts over in the corner.

It had become a war of attrition and in such circumstances there was only likely to be one outcome.

Hodgson tried a cross-kick which Mvovo gathered and he then drew the penalty as Ashton and Hape came off their feet and Morne Steyn teed up the attacking lineout.

Both Steyns dropped back into position for a drop goal but the Springboks instead worked the ball wide for Mvovo, who brushed past Ashton to score on 70 minutes.

England never really looked like creating an opening, but they were gifted a late try after Foden picked off Van Der Linde's offload and sprinted 90 metres to score. Tindall tried the quick drop-goal conversion and hit the post, summing up an afternoon of frustration.