Springboks dig deep to blow away England

THERE were times when the Springboks looked shaky in this showdown with old enemy England, but each backward step resulted in a lunge forward as the world champions showed their mettle to nail an ultimately impressive 45-21 victory in the Nations Championship.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The build-up to the Ellis Park game was not short of intrigue.

Siya Kolisi, who had looked the picture of health at his eve-of-match press conference on the Friday, withdrew with a hamstring injury, while Eben Etzebeth, who has not played for the Boks since his November 2025 suspension for eye-gouging, was withdrawn because of an undisclosed issue.

In came the uncapped Paul de Villiers at openside flank, with Pieter-Steph du Toit moving from blindside flank into the second row and taking over the captaincy.

Cameron Hanekom started in the No 7 jersey, having originally been named among the replacements, while Ben-Jason Dixon was promoted to the bench.

Du Toit, relishing the unexpected responsibility, crashed over from close quarters for the Boks’ first try.