3. England 0 – 36 South Africa: 2007 Rugby World Cup Pool Stage
September 14th 2007, Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Before England battled their way through to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final, and went against the odds in the most unexpected of tournament runs, Brian Ashton’s men started their campaign with a win over the USA, before taking a crushing defeat to the Springboks. The shut-out defeat has lived in the memory of older England fans, and is a reminder that sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better.
This defeat was a wake-up call. England had been coasting in mediocrity with third and fourth placed finishes in the Six Nations, dating back to the 2004 Championship. They would routinely lose the Autumn clashes with New Zealand and South Africa, with this opening World Cup loss stripping England of their life jacket. They would now either sink or swim, with their subsequent World Cup run proving that they did in fact belong amongst rugby’s elite nations.
The 36-0 landslide win was also a testament to the strength of the Springboks. Despite being the resident wooden spoon holders in the Tri-Nations Championship, South Africa always rallied best in the Rugby World Cups, and have the track record to prove it. The one-way traffic got the green light from the get go, with Springboks back-row Juan Smith crossing over for a try, after just six minutes in Saint-Denis.
Francois Steyn slotted three points from the tee, before JP Pietersen scored his first of two tries on the cusp of half-time. Percival Montgomery added a penalty of his own before the break, before sending three further efforts over the uprights throughout the second 40 minutes. JP Pietersen completed his brace with a score at 64 minutes, with England more than well-beaten ahead of the closing quarter of an hour’s play. A brutal display of relentless winning from the Springboks, but the loss kicked England into gear for a memorable, yet unexpected run to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final.
4. England 25 – 6 South Africa: 2003 Rugby World Cup Pool Stage
October 18th 2003, Subiaco Oval, Perth
It’s time to shine a red and white traffic light on the Springboks now, whilst Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber watch back the tape of England’s sole Rugby World Cup win over South Africa. Coming on the road to England’s crowning triumph in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Sir Clive Woodward’s men entered the tournament riding a wave of momentum, and got started in despatching their pool stage opponents.
Georgia were the first to fall. An emphatic 84-6 win put to rest any lingering worries of England’s nerves on the biggest stage. Then came the Springboks, England’s old foe who would certainly test the metal of the soon to be World Champions. England were on enemy territory, Sir Clive’s men were not well liked in Australia, with Perth’s Subiaco Oval packing in plenty of Springbok-supporting Aussies, for Pool C’s main event.
England also had to deal with injuries to Matt Dawson and Richard Hill, following a bruising first match against the Georgians. But despite the fan animosity and late changes to the script, England ran out a hard fought victory over South Africa, much to the dismay of the majority of ‘neutrals’ in attendance.
A 6-6 half-time score left little on the pitch. This arm-wrestle had not yet given an inch, with the like-for-like points scoring coming from the boots of Jonny Wilkinson and Louis Koen. The match is remembered for being a brutal affair, with colossal hits flying in, leaving players busted up on both sides. South Africa were denied a second half break-through, as Jason Robinson bundled Bakkies Botha into touch with a last-ditch tackle. An outstanding effort from a man half the size of the titanic lock.
England hit their stride after the hour mark, and were over for the one and only try of the contest at 62 minutes. Lewis Moody charged down Koen’s clearance kick, before Will Greenwood hacked the loose ball down into the in-goal area, before diving on it to score. Wilkinson followed this up by nailing the conversion, and a subsequent drop goal to settle nerves, as the scoreboard crept up to 22-6 at 65 minutes. One final Wilkinson penalty put the match beyond all doubt, as England continued their grand tour to Rugby World Cup glory.