In June 2012, the

England national rugby union team The England national rugby union team represents England in men's international rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. England have won the championship on 29 occasion ...

went on a three-test tour against the

South Africa national rugby union team The South Africa national rugby union team, commonly known as the Springboks (colloquially the Boks, Bokke or Amabokoboko), is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union. The Springboks play in green and gold jerse ...

, known colloquially and referred to hereafter as the ''Springboks''. This was one of a series of mid-year tours in 2012 by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations. The series was among the first to mark a return to the format of traditional tours, after the

International Rugby Board World Rugby is the world governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international rug ...

(IRB) decided in 2010 to revive the concept, which could include mid-week matches against representative or club sides. This was first such tour since South Africa had hosted New Zealand in 1996. England last toured South Africa in

2007 File:2007 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Steve Jobs unveils Apple's first iPhone; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 overruns a runway and crashes into a gas station, killing almost 200 people; Former Pakistani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pr ...

and played two test matches, losing both 58 – 10 and 55 – 22. The last time the two sides met was in 2010 at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

, when the Springboks won 21 – 11, marking their seventh straight win against England. 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. 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.

Tour Fixture

Squads

England

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. ''Forwards:''

Mouritz Botha Mouritz Botha (born 29 January 1982) is a former rugby union player who played for the Saracens and Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. He joined English club Bedford Blues in 2006 and made 73 appearances before moving to Saracens in 20 ...

(

Saracens file:Erhard Reuwich Sarazenen 1486.png, upright 1.5, Late 15th-century Germany in the Middle Ages, German woodcut depicting Saracens Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek language, Greek and Latin writings, to refer ...

), Dan Cole (

Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers (officially Leicester Football Club) are a professional rugby union club based in Leicester, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby. The club was founded in 1880 and since 1892 plays its hom ...

Alex Corbisiero Alex is a given name. It can refer to a shortened version of Alexander, Alexandra, Alexis. People Multiple *Alex Brown (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Gordon (disambiguation), multiple people *Alex Harris (disambiguation), multiple peo ...

(

London Irish London Irish RFC is a professional rugby union club which competes in the Premiership, the top division of English rugby union. The club has also competed in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the European Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup. While ...

Paul Doran-Jones Paul Doran-Jones (born 2 May 1985) is an English retired rugby union player. He most recently played in the Premiership Rugby, English Premiership for Wasps RFC, Wasps. He played as a Loosehead prop and tighthead prop, prop. Club career Capabl ...

(

Northampton Saints Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby. They were formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. James", ...

Phil Dowson Phil Dowson (born 1 October 1981) is director of rugby at Northampton Saints. He is a former English rugby union player. He played for Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. Dowson's position of ...

(Northampton Saints), Carl Fearns (

Bath Rugby Bath Rugby is a professional rugby union club in Bath, Somerset, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby. Founded in 1865 as Bath Football Club, since 1894 the club has played at the Recreation Ground in the c ...

), Joe Gray ( Harlequins),

Dylan Hartley Dylan Hartley (born 24 March 1986) is a former England Rugby captain who represented England and Northampton Saints. Hartley was the captain of England from January 2016 until the end of his international career in 2019. He is England's most ca ...

(Northampton Saints),

James Haskell James Andrew Welbon Haskell (born 2 April 1985) is an English former rugby union player who played for Wasps RFC and Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, and internationally for England. In August 2019 he announced he would become a ...

( Highlanders), Tom Johnson (

Exeter Chiefs Exeter Chiefs (officially Exeter Rugby Club) is an England, English professional rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby. The club was founded in 1871 and since 2006 has played i ...

Graham Kitchener Graham Kitchener (born 29 September 1989 in Bromley) is an English rugby union player. His position is lock. He has represented England at Under 16, 18 and Under 20 level, and played a part in the Under 20s 6 nations grand slam in 2008. He w ...

(Leicester Tigers),

Joe Launchbury Joseph Oliver Launchbury (born 12 April 1991) is an English rugby union lock. He represents England at international level and previously played for the under-18s and under-20s before making his Test debut in 2012. Launchbury plays mainly ...

(

London Wasps Wasps Rugby Football Club is a professional rugby union team. They last played in Premiership Rugby, the top division of English rugby until being suspended on 12 October 2022. On 17 October 2022 the club entered administration, resulting in r ...

Joe Marler Joseph William George Marler (born 7 July 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Harlequins in the Premiership. He is also one of the hosts of The Joe Marler Show podcast with Tom Fordyce. Background Marl ...

(Harlequins),

Lee Mears Lee Mears (born 5 March 1979 in Torquay) is an Executive Leadership Coach. He proudly represented England playing rugby between 2004 and 2013. He earned 42 Cap played in two world cups and played for the British and Irish Lions on the 2009 tour ...

(Bath Rugby),

Ben Morgan Benjamin John Morgan (born 18 February 1989) is an England international rugby union player currently plays at number eight for Gloucester. Morgan scored his first try for the Scarlets on 22 April 2011 against Glasgow Warriors. Morgan went t ...

(

Scarlets The Scarlets () are one of the four professional Welsh rugby union teams and are based in Llanelli, Wales. Their home ground is the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup (which ...

), Matt Mullan (

Worcester Warriors Worcester Warriors Rugby Football Club is a professional rugby union club, based in Worcester, England, that is currently in Administration (law), administration and which has been suspended and will be relegated from Premiership Rugby, the top ...

), Tom Palmer (

Stade Français Stade Français Paris Rugby () is a French professional rugby union club based in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The club plays in the Top 14 domestic league in France and is one of the most successful French clubs of the modern era. The ...

Geoff Parling Geoff Parling (born 28 October 1983) is an English rugby union coach and former player. His usual playing position was lock. Parling played for Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs in Premiership Rugby, he won three English t ...

(Leicester Tigers),

Chris Robshaw Chris Robshaw (born 4 June 1986) is an English former rugby union player. He was the captain of the England national rugby union team from January 2012 until December 2015. Robshaw's position of choice was in the back row of the scrum, usually ...

(''captain'', Harlequins), George Robson (Harlequins), Matt Stevens (Saracens),

Thomas Waldrom Thomas Waldrom (born 28 April 1983) is a former rugby union player who played for Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership and represented England from 2012 to 2013. Born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, he qualified for England through his grandmot ...

(Leicester Tigers),

Tom Youngs Thomas Nicholas Youngs (born 28 January 1987) is a retired rugby union player who played as a hooker for Leicester Tigers and England. Between 2012–2015 he won 28 caps for , including selection for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and was select ...

(Leicester Tigers) ''Backs:'' Anthony Allen (

Chris Ashton Christopher John Ashton (born 29 March 1987) is an English rugby union and former rugby league player, and one of the few players who have represented England in both rugby codes. A wing or fullback, he joined Leicester Tigers of Premiership ...

(

Brad Barritt Bradley Barritt (born 7 August 1986) is a South African-born former rugby union player. He played the position of centre. Early life Barritt attended Kearsney College. Career Barritt's debut season was in 2006 for the and Sharks in the Curri ...

(

), Mike Brown ( Harlequins),

Danny Care Daniel Stuart Care (born 2 January 1987) is an English rugby union player who plays for Harlequins in the Premiership as a scrum-half. He has played for England national team since 2008 and has won 87 caps. He previously played for England ...

(Harlequins),

Lee Dickson Lee Dickson (born 29 March 1985 in Verden, Germany) is an English professional rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for Bedford Blues in the RFU Championship. Dickson played 49 times for Newcastle Falcons between 2004–2008 and ...

(Northampton Saints),

Owen Farrell Owen Andrew Farrell (born 24 September 1991) is an English professional rugby union player, currently captain of Gallagher Premiership side Saracens. Farrell has played international rugby for England since 2012. Farrell is one of the top poi ...

(Saracens),

Toby Flood Tobias Gerald Albert Cecil Lieven Flood (born 8 August 1985) is an English rugby union coach and former player. He is currently kicking and skills coach at Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. During his playing career his position was fly ...

(Leicester Tigers),

Ben Foden Benjamin James Foden (born 22 July 1985) is an English rugby union player who plays for Rugby United New York (RUNY) in Major League Rugby (MLR). A fullback or scrum-half, he won 34 caps for England between 2009 and 2013. He also plays as a W ...

(Northampton Saints),

Alex Goode Alexander David Goode (born 7 May 1988) is an English professional rugby union player playing for Saracens in Premiership Rugby. Biography All-rounder Goode appeared at the national schools athletics finals, played county tennis and was part ...

(Saracens),

Charlie Hodgson Charles Christopher Hodgson (born 12 November 1980) is a retired English rugby union player, having previously been a player for Sale Sharks and Saracens. His position was fly-half and he is the leading Premiership points scorer of all time. ...

(Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (

George Lowe George Edward Lowe (born November 10, 1957) is an American voice actor and comedian whose voice roles include Space Ghost on the animated series ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' and its spin-off, ''Cartoon Planet''.Ugo Monye Ugochukwu Chiedozie Monye (born 13 April 1983) is an English sports pundit and former rugby union player, Monye played 14 times for , 241 times for his only club Harlequins and played twice for the British & Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to ...

(Harlequins),

David Strettle David Strettle, (born 23 July 1983), is a former English rugby union wing. Early life Strettle grew up in Thelwall, Cheshire, attending Lymm High School and playing for Lymm RFC. Strettle then went on to study at Sheffield Hallam Universi ...

(Saracens),

Manu Tuilagi Etuale Manusamoa Tuilagi (born 18 May 1991), known as Manu Tuilagi, is a rugby union player for Sale Sharks. He has played internationally for and the British & Irish Lions. Born in Fogapoa, Samoa, Tuilagi has five elder brothers who played f ...

(Leicester Tigers),

Jordan Turner-Hall Jordan Turner-Hall (born 5 January 1988 in London, England) is a former rugby union player for Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership, playing primarily as a centre but he could also play on the wing. His first start for England came on 30 May 2 ...

(Harlequins),

Christian Wade Christian Wade (born 15 May 1991) is an English rugby union footballer, and former American football player, currently playing as a wing for French Top 14 club Racing 92. Wade played for Wasps for seven seasons and scored 82 tries in Premier ...

(

Ben Youngs Benjamin Ryder Youngs (born 5 September 1989) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Leicester Tigers and . He made his club debut at 17 in 2007 and in 2010 made his debut for England; in 2022 he became En ...

(Leicester Tigers) * 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 A barbarian (or savage) is someone who is perceived to be either uncivilized or primitive. The designation is usually applied as a generalization based on a popular stereotype; barbarians can be members of any nation judged by some to be less c ...

. Rupert Harden from

Gloucester Rugby Gloucester Rugby are a professional rugby union club based in the West Country city of Gloucester, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby, as well as in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The club was formed i ...

was called up to replace him. * On 1 June, it was announced that London Wasps lock

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. * 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 Nick Abendanon (born 27 August 1986 in Bryanston, South Africa) is a former England international rugby union player. His preferred position was full-back. He has Dutch nationality through his parents. Abendanon burst onto the scene during the ...

from Bath Rugby. * Harlequins wing

George Lowe George Edward Lowe (born November 10, 1957) is an American voice actor and comedian whose voice roles include Space Ghost on the animated series ''Space Ghost Coast to Coast'' and its spin-off, ''Cartoon Planet''.Jonny May Jonathan James May (born 1 April 1990) is a professional rugby union player for Gloucester in Premiership Rugby and for the national team. He plays as a winger and is known for his speed and try scoring. He began his senior career at Glouces ...

from Gloucester. * After an outstanding performance in the Second Test in Johannesburg, scrumhalf

was found to have a shoulder injury and was replaced by Karl Dickson from Harlequins.

South Africa

On 2 June, new Springbok head coach

Heyneke Meyer Heyneke Meyer (born 6 October 1967) is a professional rugby union coach, best known for coaching the Springboks from 2012 until 2015. Prior to coaching the Springboks, he spent many years at the domestic level in South Africa before coaching Lei ...

announced his squad of 32 players for the series. Nine uncapped players were included in the squad. ''Forwards:''

Willem Alberts Willem Schalk Alberts (born 11 May 1984) is a professional rugby union player who currently plays for in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition. He previously played for the and the in Super Rugby and for the and in the Currie Cup before joi ...

(),

Marcell Coetzee Marcell Cornelius Coetzee (born 8 May 1991) is a South African rugby football, rugby union player who plays for South African side the Blue Bulls. He plays as a Flanker (rugby union), flanker. South Africa Coetzee made his debut in Super Rugb ...

(The Sharks),

Keegan Daniel Keegan Rhys Daniel (born 5 March 1985) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup and the in the Rugby Challenge. Born in the rural farming town of Humansdorp, Daniel started his e ...

(The Sharks), Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks),

Jannie du Plessis Jan Nathaniel du Plessis (born 16 November 1982 in Bethlehem, Free State) is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for in the French Top 14 and the Lions in Super Rugby. He played for the in the Currie Cup and the in Super ...

(The Sharks),

Eben Etzebeth Eben Etzebeth (born 29 October 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. His regular playing position is as a number 4 lock. Cl ...

(

Western Province Western Province or West Province may refer to: * Western Province, Cameroon *Western Province, Rwanda *Western Province (Kenya) *Western Province (Papua New Guinea) *Western Province (Solomon Islands) *Western Province, Sri Lanka *Western Provin ...

), Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks), Juandré Kruger (

Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls (known for sponsorship reasons as the Vodacom Blue Bulls) is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union and are based at Loftus Versfe ...

Werner Kruger Werner Kruger (born 23 January 1985 in Kempton Park, South Africa) is a former rugby union player who played at prop. He ended his career playing for Scarlets in the Pro14, having spent the bulk of his career at Super Rugby side the , where he ...

(Blue Bulls),

Tendai Mtawarira Tendai Mtawarira (born 1 August 1985) is a Zimbabwean-South African retired professional rugby union player who last played for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby and previously for the South Africa national team and the in Super Rugby. He w ...

(The Sharks), Coenie Oosthuizen (

Free State Cheetahs The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State), currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by th ...

Jacques Potgieter Ulrich Jacques Potgieter (born 24 April 1986 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League. Career Youth / Sharks / Eastern Province Kings He repre ...

(Blue Bulls),

Chiliboy Ralepelle Mahlatse Chiliboy Ralepelle (born 11 September 1986 in Tzaneen, South Africa), is a former rugby union player for the in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup. His usual position is at hooker. Career Youth rugby As a pupil at Pretoria Boys High ...

(Blue Bulls),

Pierre Spies Pierre Johan Spies (born 8 June 1985 in Pretoria) is a retired South African rugby union player. He usually played as a Number 8, but could also play as a flanker and at times was deployed on the wing. Between 2005 and 2015, he spent the major ...

(Blue Bulls),

Adriaan Strauss Jan Adriaan Strauss (born 18 November 1985) is a South African former professional rugby union player who played first class rugby between 2005 and 2018. He played in 66 international test matches for (captaining them in 2016) and also featured ...

(Free State Cheetahs),

Flip van der Merwe Phillip Rudolph van der Merwe (born 3 June 1985 in Potchefstroom) is a South African rugby union rugby player who plays in the lock position for French Top 14 side . Career Free State Cheetahs / Cheetahs Van der Merwe attended Grey Coll ...

(Blue Bulls),

Franco van der Merwe Franco van der Merwe (born 15 March 1983 in Paarl) is a South African rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is lock, although he can also operate as a flanker. Previous clubs include Irish side Ulster in the Pro12, London Irish i ...

(

Golden Lions The Golden Lions (currently known as the Sigma Golden Lions for sponsorship reasons) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Johannesburg who compete in the annual Currie Cup and Rugby Challenge. The team is governed by the ...

) ''Backs:''

Bjorn Basson Bjorn Alberic Basson (born 11 February 1987) is a South African professional rugby union player playing as a wing or full-back for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Enisei-STM in the European Rugby C ...

(

Jean de Villiers Jean de Villiers (born 24 February 1981) is a South African former professional rugby union player. He started his career at wing, but played most of his career as an inside centre. De Villiers previously played for Western Province in the ...

(

JJ Engelbrecht Johannes Jacobus Engelbrecht (born 22 February 1989) is a former South African professional rugby union player who played as a wing or outside centre. Rugby career Youth Engelbrecht attended Grey High School in the Eastern Cape until 2007, ...

(Blue Bulls),

Bryan Habana Bryan Gary Habana OIS (born 12 June 1983) is a South African former professional rugby union player who initially played as an outside centre but later on, he shifted to the wing. He most recently played for Toulon in the French Top 14 competit ...

(Western Province),

Francois Hougaard Francois Hougaard (born 6 April 1988) is a South African professional rugby union rugby player. His primary position is scrum-half, but also can play on the wing. Club career Hougaard played for Western Province in 2007 before joining the Blu ...

(Blue Bulls),

Elton Jantjies Elton Thomas Jantjies (born 1 August 1990) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team, the in the Japan Rugby Football Union and the in the Currie Cup. Jantjies made his professional debut with the L ...

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Zane Kirchner Zane Kirchner (born 16 June 1984) is a South African professional rugby union player. Previously he played at fullback for the Bulls in Super Rugby and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. Born in George, Western Cape, Kirchner attended PW Botha Co ...

(Blue Bulls),

Patrick Lambie Patrick Jonathan Lambie (born 17 October 1990) is a retired South African professional rugby union player who last played for in the French Top 14. He announced his retirement in January 2019 due to multiple concussions. Early life Lambie at ...

(),

Lwazi Mvovo Lwazi Ncedo Mvovo is a South African professional rugby union player for the in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup and the in the Rugby Challenge.Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls),

Ruan Pienaar Ruan Pienaar (born 10 March 1984) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays either as a scrum-half or as a fly-half for the in the Currie Cup. Pienaar is the son of former Springbok fullback Gysie Pienaar. Ruan ...

(

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

JP Pietersen Jon-Paul Roger "JP" Pietersen (born 12 July 1986 in Stellenbosch, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the in the Currie Cup. He generally plays fullback or wing but occasionally, he plays at outside centre. He played in 69 ...

(The Sharks),

François Steyn François Philippus Lodewyk Steyn (born 14 May 1987) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Cheetahs (rugby union) in Pro 14. He usually plays at inside centre, fullback ...

(The Sharks),

Morné Steyn Morné Steyn (born 11 July 1984) is a South African rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for the Bulls and played for the South Africa national team, up until his retirement from international test rugby in October 2021. Steyn has won an ...

(Blue Bulls),

Jano Vermaak Jano Vermaak (born 1 January 1985) is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays as a Rugby union positions#9. Scrum-half, scrum-half for the in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup. Vermaak previously represented the and in Super Rugby a ...

(Blue Bulls) * On 4 June, veteran centre

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. De Villiers would captain South Africa until at least the end of this tour. * Due to injury concerns over fullback

(knee) and prop Coenie Oosthuizen (shoulder/neck) after the First Test in Durban, Dean Greyling and

Gio Aplon Gio Giaan Aplon (born 6 October 1982) is a South African rugby union player for Toyota Verblitz in the Top League in Japan. He scored two tries in a 42–17 triumph against the Six Nations Tournament, Six Nations winner – France. The match wa ...

were called up to replace them. It was later revealed that Oosthuizen was suffering from a bulging disc and would be sidelined for three months. * Sharks centre

was unavailable for the Third Test in Port Elizabeth because his wedding was on that day. Injury concerns over

after the Second Test resulted in Western Province fullback

Joe Pietersen Johan Christiaan Pietersen (born 18 May 1984) is a South African rugby union player who currently plays as the fly-half for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MLR). Professional career He started his career at , playing for them in the ...

being included in the squad.

Match Reports

First Test – 9 June

''For the match scorecard, see Week 3 of the 2012 mid-year test series: South Africa vs. England.'' The First Test of the series was played at

Kings Park Stadium The Kings Park Stadium (known as the Hollywoodbets Kings Park for sponsorship reasons since 2022), is a stadium located in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa. The stadium was originally built with a capacity of 12,000 and ...

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

. The event was a historic occasion, because it was the first time that England and South Africa had played each other in Durban; England had played at Kings Park during the

1995 Rugby World Cup The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country. The World Cup was the first major sporting event to take place in Sou ...

, 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. The Springboks named three uncapped players in the starting line-up: locks

and Juandré Kruger, and flanker

. Uncapped prop Coenie Oosthuizen was named on the bench. England selected two uncapped players to make their debut in the starting line-up: flanker Tom Johnson and prop

. Uncapped back Jonathan Joseph was named on the bench. This then was how the teams lined up for the match:

First half

There was heavy rain in Durban which eased before kick-off, as well as a blustery wind. 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. 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. 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. 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. South Africa replied swiftly after England was again penalised for being offside. Steyn converted the penalty to again level the scores 6 – 6.
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. 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.

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. England made no changes. England made a promising start after Youngs found a gap in the Springbok defence. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. So the final score was 22 – 17. The Springboks had drawn first blood and led the series one-nil.

Second Test – 16 June

''For the match scorecard, see Week 4 of the 2012 mid-year test series: South Africa vs. England.'' The Second Test was played at Ellis Park in

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. This would be the third time that England and South Africa had played each other at the venue. The previous occasion the two sides had met at Ellis Park was back in

1984 Events January * January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888. * January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeast A ...

when the Springboks won 35 – 9 courtesy of a hat-trick to

Danie Gerber Danie Gerber (born 14 April 1958 in Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa) is a former South African rugby union player, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. He played mainly at inside or outside centre, but also on the wing. His ...

. However, England had claimed one of their few precious wins in South Africa at this venue back in

1972 Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, me ...

, when they won 18 – 9. 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. 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. 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. The line-ups for both teams were then as follows:

References

External links

Official Website of South African Rugby

Official Website of English Rugby

{{DEFAULTSORT:England

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2011–12 in English rugby union 2012 rugby union tours 2012 in South African rugby union

Tour Fixture

Squads

England

South Africa

Match Reports

First Test – 9 June

First half

Second half

Second Test – 16 June

See also

References

External links