World Rugby

Cheslin Kolbe Too Much As South Africa Springboks Beat England Rugby

Cheslin Kolbe Too Much As South Africa Springboks Beat England Rugby

The Springboks rolled in the second half against England as Cheslin Kolbe dominated at Twickenham.

Nov 16, 2024 by Joe Harrington
Who's The Top Player In Rugby? They Know

England Rugby played the newly-minted No. 1-ranked team in the world tough, but at the end of the day, the South Africa Springboks had Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard and Pieter-Steph du Toit, and England did not. 

Marcus Smith gave England a 20-19 lead in the second half, but Pollard connected on a long penalty kick, as he usually doesn’t against England, and Kolbe put the game out of reach in the final 20 minutes with a big try as the Springboks won 29-20 on Nov. 16. 

Kolbe had two tries in the game and Pieter-Steph du Toit had another in the first half as the overwhelming talent on Springboks showed through. 

South Africa Rugby didn’t play many of their stars in the first match of the Autumn Nations against Scotland, a game they easily won, but against England all the stars were available. 

Relive the game below. 

England vs. South Africa Live Score: England 20, Springboks 29 | Final

Follow the action live below. 

South Africa Springboks Hand England Third Loss In Row In England

England lost at home for the third time in a row for the first time since 2006 as the No. 1 team in the world overcame a tough English team for the win. 

Final 5 minutes and South Africa Rugby Looks Poised To Win

The Springboks have a 9-point lead in the 75th minute. 

Final 10 Minutes Are Here. Can England Rugby Rally?

England is attacking, but the South Africa defense is stepping up. 

South Africa Rugby Gets Yellow Card

England has a big opportunity as the final 10 minutes near. 

England vs. Springboks Highlights: Cheslin Kolbe Is Very Good At Rugby 

Cheslin Kolbe Is Unbelievable. Springboks Build The Lead

Cheslin Kolbe is just showing off. The superstar used another nifty juke mood and broke away for a big try.  Handre Pollard connected on the extra point. 

Why Is Faf de Klerk Not Playing For The Springboks?

South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk is hurt with a quad injury and not playing for the Springboks. He has dealt with MCL and thigh injuries this season. 

Handre Pollard Does What Handre Pollard Does. Springboks Back In The Lead

Just as he did in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Handre Pollard connected on a long penalty kick to give the Springboks the lead. The kick bounced off the cross bar and went over. 

Marcus Smith Puts England Rugby Ahead With Penalty Kick

Marcus Smith nailed a penalty kick in the 51st minute to give England a 20-19 lead. 

England Rugby Takes Lead With Massive Will Stuart Try. But It's Wiped Off The Board Too

Marcus Smith hit a cross kick to Will Stuart who waltzed into the endzone for a go-ahead try. But like the first try of the half, it's waived off after a TMO review. 

Handre Pollard And Malcolm Marx Enter The Match For Springboks

Leicester Tigers star and one of the best kickers in the world is coming on for South Africa in this close match at the 46 minute match. 

Huge Breakaway Try by Kurt-Lee Arendse Of South Africa Wiped Off The Board

Kurt-Lee Arendse caught the second pass on an attack and flew into the endzone for the sixth try of the match. However, the pass was ruled forward and the try was taken off the board. 

And We're Back At Twickenham

The Springboks and England are back on the field for the second half.

South Africa vs. England Rugby Highlights: Maine Libbok, Cheslin Kolbe: Perfection

South Africa Springboks Lead England Rugby At Half

An exciting first half comes to a close as the No. 1 team in the world clings to a slim two-point lead.

Manie Libbok Misses Penalty Kick in 39'

Somewhere Handre Pollard is shrugging. 

England vs. Springboks Highlights: Sam Underhill Powers His Way Through SA

England vs. Springboks Highlights: Ouch

Sam Underhill Powers Through Springboks for Try

Sam Underhill rumbled through multiple defenders to get the second try of the match for England. Marcus Smith converted. 

Highlights: Grant Williams' Springboks Try vs England

Maine Libbok's Terrific Kick To Cheslin Kolbe Leads To Easy Try

Cheslin Kolbe, the No. 4-ranked rugby player in the world, easily walked into the endzone for a try after Maine Libbok's perfectly placed forward kick. 

England Adds 3 On Penalty Kick; But Pieter-Steph du Toit Exists

England briefly retook the lead against South Africa on a Marcus Smith kick, but then one of the best players in the world scored a try when Pieter-Steph du Toit dove into the endzone. 

Mother OF Dragons Is At The Match

Grant Williams Gets Springboks On Board

Grant Williams broke away, using a nifty juke move to out run England for the first South Africa try. Maine Libbok converted the kick.   

England Rugby Scores First After Slick Play By Marcus Smith, Henry Slade; England 7; SA 0 | 4'

A pair of Gallagher Premiership stars connected on a slick play as Smith passed to Henry Slade for the games first try after making Eben Etzebeth miss a tackle. 

Smith connected on the extra point. 

England Rugby. South Africa Rugby. Kick-off Is Here. 

Follow the action live as this heated rivalry gets underway. 

South Africa Rugby Needs Win To Say No. 1 After Ireland Rugby Win, And All Blacks vs. France Game

Former No. 1 Ireland Rugby beat Argentina on Nov. 15, 22-19, to bounce back from a loss in Dublin to the All Blacks. Meanwhile the All Blacks have Antoine Dupont and  No. 4 France today following the Springboks game. 

South Africa entered the week with about a 2-point lead on No. 3 Ireland and a little more than a point lead on New Zealand.

Springboks Win The Toss

Springboks vs England Kick-off Time Nearly Here As Wilco Louw Get Ready

England, South Africa Rugby Autumn Nations 2024 Fixtures And Results

Saturday, Nov. 2

  • New Zealand, 24, England 22

Sunday, Nov. 10

  • South Africa 32, Scotland 15

Saturday, Nov. 16

  • England vs. South Africa - 12:40 a.m. ET

Saturday, Nov. 23

  • Wales vs. South Africa - 12:40 p.m. ET

Sunday, Nov. 24

  • England vs. Japan - 11:10 a.m. ET

First England vs. Springboks Match Since Epic 2023 Rugby World Cup Showdown

The last time the two nations met was on Oct. 21, 2023 in Stade de France in Saint-Denis at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The English nearly pulled off the massive upset but the Springboks took the match 16-15 in the semifinals. 

England vs. SA Rugby All-Time Record

The Springboks own a 28-2-16 record against England. That includes a winning record (12-1-11) in England. England won every match from 2000-2006, nine in a row, for their longest streak. Meanwhile, the Boks won nine in a row from 2006-2012 for their longest winning streak. 

South Africa has won the last three matches they’ve played. 

England Rugby, Springboks Have Arrived At Twickenham

Where Do England Rugby Players Play Professionally?

Every player on today's English Rugby team is playing in the Investec Champions Cup starting on Dec. 6 and streaming live in the United States and Canada on FloRugby.

  • Ellis Genge: Bristol Bears
  • Jamie George: Saracens
  • Will Stuart: Bath Rugby 
  • Maro Itoje: Saracens
  • George Martin: Leicester Tigers
  • Chandler Cunningham-South: Harlequins
  • Sam Underhill: Bath Rugby 
  • Ben Earl: Saracens
  • Jack van Poortvliet: Leicester Tigers
  • Marcus Smith: Harlequins
  • Ollie Sleightholme: Northampton Saints
  • Henry Slade: Exeter Chiefs 
  • Ollie Lawrence: Bath Rugby 
  • Tommy Freeman: Northampton Saints
  • Freddie Steward: Leicester Tigers

Reserves

  • Luke Cowan-Dickie: Sale Sharks
  • Fin Baxter: Harlequins
  • Dan Cole: Leicester Tigers
  • Nick Isiekwe: Saracens
  • Alex Dombrandt: Harlequins
  • Harry Randall: Bristol Bears
  • George Ford: Sale Sharks
  • Tom Roebuck: Sale Sharks

Where Do The Springboks Play Professionally

There are 15 Springboks on today's team playing in the Investec Champions Cup starting on Dec. 6 and one, Cobus Reinach, playing in the EPCR Challenge Cup. Both are streaming live on FloRugby. 

  • Ox Nche: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Bongi Mbonambi: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Wilco Louw: Vodacom Bulls
  • Eben Etzebeth: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • RG Snyman: Leinster Rugby
  • Siya Kolisi: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Pieter-Steph du Toit: Toyota Verblitz
  • Jasper Wiese: Urayasu D-Rocks
  • Grant Williams: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Manie Libbok: DHL Stormers
  • Kurt-Lee Arendse: Vodacom Bulls
  • Damian de Allende: Saitama Wild Knights
  • Jesse Kriel: Canon Eagles
  • Cheslin Kolbe: Tokyo Sungoliath
  • Aphelele Fassi: Hollywoodbets Sharks

Reserves

  • Malcolm Marx: Kubota Spears
  • Gerhard Steenekamp: Vodcom Bulls
  • Vincent Koch: Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Elrigh Louw: Vodacom Bulls
  • Kwagga Smith: Shizuoka Blue Revs
  • Cobus Reinach: MHR
  • Handré Pollard: Leicester Tigers
  • Lukhanyo Am: Hollywoodbets Sharks

England Vs. South Africa Rugby Kickoff Times

The match kicks off at 12:40 p.m. ET on Nov. 16 at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London. 

What Channel Is England vs. South Africa On?

In the United States, the match is streaming live on Peacock. In the UK, the match is on TNT Sports. 

England Rugby Lineup

  1. Ellis Genge
  2. Jamie George
  3. Will Stuart
  4. Maro Itoje
  5. George Martin
  6. Chandler Cunningham-South
  7. Sam Underhill
  8. Ben Earl
  9. Jack van Poortvliet
  10. Marcus Smith
  11. Ollie Sleightholme
  12. Henry Slade
  13. Ollie Lawrence
  14. Tommy Freeman
  15. Freddie Steward

Substitutes: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Fin Baxter, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Alex Dombrandt, 21. Harry Randall, 22. George Ford, 23. Tom Roebuck

South Africa Springboks Lineup

  1. Ox Nche
  2. Bongi Mbonambi
  3. Wilco Louw
  4. Eben Etzebeth
  5. RG Snyman
  6. Siya Kolisi
  7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
  8. Jasper Wiese
  9. Grant Williams
  10. Manie Libbok
  11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
  12. Damian de Allende
  13. Jesse Kriel
  14. Cheslin Kolbe
  15. Aphelele Fassi

Substitutes: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Elrigh Louw, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Handré Pollard, 23. Lukhanyo Am

Watch New Zealand Vs. England From July 6

England World Rugby Ranking

England is ranked No. 7 in the world with 90.58 points.

South Africa World Rugby Ranking

South Africa is ranked No. 1 in the world with 92.46 points.

World Rugby Rankings 2024

  1. South Africa, 92.46
  2. New Zealand, 91.21
  3. Ireland, 90.58
  4. France, 86.96
  5. Argentina, 85.60
  6. Scotland, 82.70
  7. England, 82.62
  8. Australia, 81.14
  9. Fiji, 80.07
  10. Italy, 78.67
  11. Wales, 75.04
  12. Georgia, 74.10
  13. Samoa, 72.68
  14. Japan, 72.31
  15. Portugal, 68.82
  16. USA, 67.49
  17. Spain, 67.10
  18. Tonga, 66.87
  19. Uruguay, 66.58
  20. Romania, 63.87

When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?

The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4. 

The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup). 

What Are The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pools?

Here are the pools:

Investec Champions Cup: 

  • Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
  • Bordeaux-Bègles (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
  • Hollywoodbets Sharks
  • Exeter Chiefs
  • Leicester Tigers
  • Ulster Rugby

Pool 2:

  • Leinster Rugby
  • Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
  • La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
  • Bristol Bears
  • Benetton Rugby
  • Bath Rugby

Pool 3:

  • Northampton Saints
  • Munster Rugby
  • Vodacom Bulls
  • Stade Français Paris
  • Saracens
  • Castres Olympique

Pool 4:

  • Glasgow Warriors
  • Racing 92
  • Sale Sharks
  • DHL Stormers
  • Toulon (RC Toulon)
  • Harlequins

EPCR Challenge Cup

Pool 1:

  • Cardiff Rugby
  • Connacht Rugby
  • Toyota Cheetahs
  • Perpignan (USAP)
  • Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Lyon O.U.)
  • Zebre Parma

Pool 2:

  • Montpellier Hérault Rugby
  • Pau (Section Paloise)
  • Newcastle Falcons
  • Dragons RFC
  • Emirates Lions
  • Ospreys

Pool 3:

  • RC Vannes
  • Black Lion
  • Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
  • Scarlets
  • Edinburgh Rugby
  • Gloucester Rugby

How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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