The series was among the first to mark a return to the format of traditional tours, after the International Rugby Board (IRB) decided in 2010 to revive the concept, which could include mid-week matches against representative or club sides.[1] This was first such tour since South Africa had hosted New Zealand in 1996.
England last toured South Africa in 2007 and played two test matches, losing both 58 – 10 and 55 – 22.[2] The last time the two sides met was in 2010 at Twickenham, when the Springboks won 21 – 11, marking their seventh straight win against England.[2] Leading up to this series, both nations had played each other 32 times. The Springboks had won 19 games, England 12, and one had been drawn.[2] England's last win against the Springboks was in 2006, when they won 23 – 21 at Twickenham. Their last victory in South Africa came in 2000, when they triumphed in Bloemfontein 27 – 22.
On 10 May, England coach Stuart Lancaster announced his initial 42-man squad for the tour to South Africa consisting of 23 forwards and 19 backs. Thirteen uncapped players were included in the squad.[3]
On 29 May, it was announced that Saracens prop Matt Stevens would miss the tour because of a shoulder injury suffered during the match against the Barbarians. Rupert Harden from Gloucester Rugby was called up to replace him.[4]
On 1 June, it was announced that London Wasps lock Joe Launchbury had been ruled out of the tour after suffering a knee injury in a training session. He was replaced by Jamie Gibson from London Irish.[5]
Harlequins fullback Mike Brown suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his right thumb during the First Test in Durban on 9 June. He was sent home and replaced by Nick Abendanon from Bath Rugby.[6]
Harlequins wing George Lowe damaged ligaments in his left ankle during the mid-week match against the SA Barbarians South on 13 June. He was sent home and replaced by Jonny May from Gloucester.[7]
After an outstanding performance in the Second Test in Johannesburg, scrumhalf Ben Youngs was found to have a shoulder injury and was replaced by Karl Dickson from Harlequins.[8]
South Africa
On 2 June, new Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer announced his squad of 32 players for the series. Nine uncapped players were included in the squad.[9]
On 4 June, veteran centre Jean de Villiers was appointed as the 54th Springbok Captain. He became the most experienced player to lead the national side, having been capped 72 times before being given the captain's armband.[10] De Villiers would captain South Africa until at least the end of this tour.[11]
Due to injury concerns over fullback Zane Kirchner (knee) and prop Coenie Oosthuizen (shoulder/neck) after the First Test in Durban, Dean Greyling and Gio Aplon were called up to replace them.[12] It was later revealed that Oosthuizen was suffering from a bulging disc and would be sidelined for three months.[13]
Sharks centre François Steyn was unavailable for the Third Test in Port Elizabeth because his wedding was on that day.[14] Injury concerns over Patrick Lambie after the Second Test resulted in Western Province fullback Joe Pietersen being included in the squad.[15]
The First Test of the series was played at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. The event was a historic occasion, because it was the first time that England and South Africa had played each other in Durban;[10][16] England had played at Kings Park during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, but they did not face South Africa in the tournament. In the 27 test matches the Springboks had played there since 1962, they had won 16 matches, lost 8 and drawn 3.[10]
England selected two uncapped players to make their debut in the starting line-up: flanker Tom Johnson and prop Joe Marler. Uncapped back Jonathan Joseph was named on the bench.[18]
This then was how the teams lined up for the match:
There was heavy rain in Durban which eased before kick-off, as well as a blustery wind.[19] As expected, both sides went in hard early. England looked composed enough, managing to repel a Springbok line-out from inside their 22 after they failed to handle Morné Steyn's kick-off. But a box kick from Youngs carried too far and ended up in the hands of speedy wing Habana, who slipped several tackles before being finally brought down on halfway.[20] That moment aside, England's determination paid off when, six minutes in, the debutant Etzebeth was penalised for not rolling away after the tackle. Farrell converted the 40-metre penalty goal to open the scoring, 3 – 0. The home side finally came to life ten minutes into the match, and with 14 minutes gone on the clock, Morné Steyn levelled the scores from point-blank range 3 – 3 when England was penalised for being offside after some strong running by Sharks flanker Alberts.[21][22] England continued to resist attack after attack from the Springboks, especially when, at the 20-minute mark, Hougaard found space in attack and passed to Spies, who was tackled by Tuilagi just inches short of the tryline.
Finally, in a rare foray forward, Johnson, who impressed many observers on debut with his work rate, drew the defence before he passed to the number eight Morgan, who powered his way through South Africa's defence.[23] Coetzee interfered illegally for the Springboks, and Farrell converted the subsequent penalty to regain the lead for England 6 – 3 at the 27-minute mark of the match.[19] South Africa replied swiftly after England was again penalised for being offside. Steyn converted the penalty to again level the scores 6 – 6.[19][23]
Habana then injured himself when he chased a high kick from Morne Steyn and collided with England fullback Brown. A big chance for England went begging when Youngs found Ashton in midfield, who sidestepped Kirchner and took the ball up 30 metres only to spill it as he was brought down from behind by Hougaard.[24] A series of deep kicks ensued as both sides tried to establish territory. In the final minute of the half, Johnson was penalised for using his hands in a scrum, but Steyn's penalty attempt drifted wide to leave the teams even at 6 – 6 at half time.[23]
Second half
The Springboks made two changes to their team during the break. Habana came back on and Lambie replaced Kirchner, who was suffering from a knee problem serious enough to rule him out of the next test.[13] England made no changes. England made a promising start after Youngs found a gap in the Springbok defence.[23] But South Africa struck the first blow when Morné Steyn dotted down in the right corner in the 47th minute after he had been involved in the attacking build-up that featured a storming run by Jannie du Plessis.[24] Steyn's conversion attempt was just wide, so the score remained 11 – 6.
The Springboks wasted a chance to score again several minutes later. After they were awarded a penalty deep in England's 22, Hougaard chose to tap and go instead of letting M. Steyn take the kick for a penalty goal. The English then managed to turn the ball over.[19] Flood was brought on to replace Barritt, who sustained an eye injury. There was a minor flare-up on the touchline between De Villiers and Farrell, but that was quickly sorted out by the officials.[23][24]
Hougaard was replaced by Pienaar. Habana showed he was suffering no ill-effects from his first half injury, twice nearly getting through England's defence. The Springboks finally broke through again when they so severely disrupted an England scrum that Youngs was forced to clear under pressure. Habana caught the ball and ran it straight back.[23] From the resultant ruck, the Springboks quickly spread the ball wide for captain De Villiers to cut inside and touch down in the right corner, making the score 16 – 6. But again, Steyn missed the conversion attempt, this time spraying it across the posts.
Lancaster replaced Morgan with Dowson, and England's reply was almost immediate. The Springboks misjudged the kick-off, which allowed Foden to intercept the ball and race towards the tryline. Again, the Springboks managed to scramble and again, Habana hurt himself, this time colliding with Frans Steyn.[19][23] Referee Walsh penalised the Springboks for offside and Farrell slotted the penalty to take the score to 16 – 9.
But England was not finished yet. Barely two minutes later, England captain Robshaw managed to isolate Pietersen in a ruck and win a penalty for his team. Farrell duly converted and suddenly, with the score 16 – 12 with less than 15 minutes to go, the game was again up for grabs.[23]
Strauss came on for Bismarck du Plessis at hooker, and had an immediate impact. The Springboks seized back the momentum and swept forward, with Strauss, Pienaar and Coetzee prominent. Tuilagi was penalised for offside and Steyn, after three consecutive misses, nailed the penalty to restore the seven-point gap. The score was now 19 – 12 with ten minutes remaining.[19][23]
Both sides made changes: for England, Dickson came on for Youngs; for South Africa, Daniel replaced Coetzee. England tried to create chances, most notably when Tuilagi again bumped De Villiers off whilst going forward. But there was no support and he was penalised for continuing to play the ball after being brought to ground.[24]
The killer blow for England came when they had a scrum feed in their half at the 75-minute mark. The Springbok forwards timed their shove perfectly, causing England to buckle under pressure and thus earning a scrum feed. On the resultant scrum, Doran-Jones, who was just brought on for Marler, was penalised for collapsing the scrum.[23] Steyn converted the penalty to put the game, with the score 22 – 12 and only two minutes remaining, virtually out of England's reach.
Nevertheless, England continued to fight. Joseph was brought on for Brown and, despite the limited game time, was involved in the movement which led to the try that England needed when Foden scored in the corner. However, it was too little too late. Farrell's attempted conversion after the hooter sailed wide.[19][24] So the final score was 22 – 17. The Springboks had drawn first blood and led the series one-nil.
The Second Test was played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. This would be the third time that England and South Africa had played each other at the venue.[25] The previous occasion the two sides had met at Ellis Park was back in 1984 when the Springboks won 35 – 9 courtesy of a hat-trick to Danie Gerber.[25] However, England had claimed one of their few precious wins in South Africa at this venue back in 1972, when they won 18 – 9.[25] In the 43 test matches the Springboks had played at Ellis Park since 1928, they had won 30 matches, lost 11 and drawn 2.
The Springboks made three changes to their match squad: Patrick Lambie replaced the injured Kirchner at fullback, and Bjorn Basson was called up to fill the vacant replacement spot. Werner Kruger was also called up to cover for the injured Coenie Oosthuizen.[25]
England made more changes to the starting XV, some of the changes forced due to injury. Most of the changes occurred in the backline; Ben Foden replaced the injured Mike Brown at fullback, and Jonathan Joseph was given his first Test start after Brad Barritt was sidelined with a lacerated eyeball.[25] This also meant that Manu Tuilagi was shifted from outside centre to inside centre to accommodate Joseph at number 13. Foden's shift to fullback meant David Strettle was handed a starting berth on the wing. Toby Flood replaced Owen Farrell at fly-half. Up front the only change was the inclusion of Thomas Waldrom after Phil Dowson was sent home with a hamstring injury.[25]
