Strauss: ‘Physical game is in South Africa’s DNA’

England’s Owen Farrell goes over for a try during the rugby union worldwide between England and South Africa at Twickenham stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 12.

Youngs was nearly at a stroll as he exploited a gap at the breakdown, easily duping flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit with a dummy before supplying Ford with the scoring pass for their third try.

The replacement outside-half Johan Goosen, who had only been on the field for five minutes, scored in the right-hand corner after a swift counter-attack.

“We conceded six penalties in opening 20 minutes and that isn’t good enough”, England captain Dylan Hartley said. “I thought both those guys did a really good job against what is a very good South African second-row pairing”. “It does help us, but it also helps England as they have a team well equipped to play a wet weather game, too”.

Pat Lambie followed his 45-metre penalty with a drop goal from in front of the posts but the Springboks were unable to slow down the pace of the game.

England have won all nine of their Tests since the Australian became their coach following the hosts’ miserable first-round exit from last year’s World Cup.

Fans booking corporate hospitality for the final game of the series against Australia on December 3rd may be particularly excited by the prospect that lies ahead should England defeat the Springboks.

Wood comes into the side in place of James Haskell and May returns to the fold after a long injury lay-off. Farrell converted and England led 7-6.

England head coach Eddie Jones bemoaned his side’s initial “ill discipline” but was ultimately pleased with their “good moments” as they beat South Africa. Jerome Garces warned Hartley and the French referee’s words appeared to have some effect.

Substitute Ben Te’o carried forcefully on one occasion, and England may start him at inside centre against Fiji. “It was two big men clashing someone is going to come out the wrong way”, said Jones.

In 2014, England and free-scoring New Zealand amassed 45 points.

“Defensively we gave away a soft try at the end which was disappointing”. It was scrappy play after that, but after England had kicked downfield it was Lambie’s hand that knocked the ball forward on cover defence just short of the try line, and Lawes sped past to dive on the knocked-on ball.

“I’m watching him and think he’s doing very, very well”.

The head coach’s message has been echoed by Borthwick, who believes it is intelligence and not muscle that offers England’s clearest route to victory.

England came out firing in the second half and after a period of sustained pressure scrumhalf Ben Youngs left lock-turned flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit flailing with an outrageous dummy before setting up Ford for England’s third try.

Yet their mastery of England dates back to 2006, spanning 11 wins and a draw, and no member of the Grand Slam champions’ current squad has ever prevailed in the fixture.