24-3 in the visitors favour after 18 minutes of play, South Africa vs England was turned on its head in a blitz of attacking rugby that will leave Eddie Jones wondering, what now?
By half-time, the hosts held a 29-27 lead; a cracking game in Johannesburg throwing up seven tries in the opening half.
What became England's fifth successive defeat, Rassie Erasmus' South Africa ran out 42-39 winners . A good win for the hosts, England's incredible collapse left many watching perplexed.
18' - South Africa 3-24 England
80' - South Africa 42-39 England
What a comeback from the @Springboks! 🇿🇦@EnglandRugby suffer defeat in Johannesburg!
Watch live on Sky Sports Action or Main Event or follow our live blog here: https://t.co/F5sdQJSIQ2 #RSAvENG pic.twitter.com/PPhM0Hh093— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 9, 2018
Initially, confidence was high amongst the England faithful as Eddie Jones' men raced into an early lead. Looking closer to the tough at the apparent restoration of past form was hard to overlook.
Wow. @EnglandRugby are a different set of players this week. @Springboks won’t be done yet but hell of a mountain to climb if they defend like that.....
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) June 9, 2018
England purring. Boks all over the show.
— Alastair Eykyn (@alastaireykyn) June 9, 2018
England planning to cut through down that left wing all afternoon.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) June 9, 2018
England are going to win the World Cup
— Tass (@FaZeTass) June 9, 2018
This Owen Farrell try to bring the tie to 22-3 summed up England's stellar performance in the opening 20 minutes.
WATCH: Farrell finishes a brilliant move for England #RSAvENG
Watch live on Sky Sports Action or Main Event or follow our live blog here: https://t.co/1X6HlyTM3y https://t.co/nErxy9YwS9— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 9, 2018
Yet, it didn't last too long.
Becoming apparent that South Africa were far from written off, there was a stunned reaction to how this tie had turned so quickly.
Wasps fans, are England’s 2018 performances feeling all too familiar? Seems Jones loves selecting to go forwards. Defence coach anyone?
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) June 9, 2018
England need to get possession and their threats back into the game. Haven’t had a sniff of the ball since the third try.
— Nick Easter (@nick_easter) June 9, 2018
After a bright start, England shooting themselves in the foot. Might be worth putting Brown to 15. Daly couple of errors at the back, Brown caught narrow once. Switch it.
— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) June 9, 2018
Come on the boks 💪🏾🇿🇦#SAvENG
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) June 9, 2018
What a first-half! Come on Bokke! #Springboks #SAvENG
— Mr. Buns (@MapsMaponyane) June 9, 2018
Chasing the game in what became an ever-opening attacking affair, England's Johnny May did show tremendous pace in finishing off this effort - but it ultimately wouldn't be enough.
TRY! May scores from the halfway line - what a try!
Is it too little, too late for England? ⏱️
Watch live on Sky Sports Action or Main Event or follow our live blog here: https://t.co/F5sdQKajHA #RSAvENG https://t.co/oOoGyzgnd3— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) June 9, 2018
With England fans growing increasingly concerned that the indomitable side of a few years ago is fading fast ahead of next year's World Cup, patience is at a minimum with head coach Eddie Jones.
Is there anyone else starting to question Eddie Jones?! 5 loses in a row!! Brown on the wing is ridiculous. He had no pace and was found out numerous times despite the try. Look what the pace of May did on the opposite wing. The substitutions were very late as well.
— Karl Slack (@KarlAntSlack) June 9, 2018
Four defeats in a row for Eddie Jones. Defence awful, discipline lousy, use of the bench too slow. England sliding backwards at a fair old rate
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) June 9, 2018
Prediction; SA run England ragged in the 2nd half of the second half. Eddie jones blames altitude even though he said pre match it couldn’t be a factor/excuse.
— Georgie Bingham 🇺🇦 (@georgiebingham) June 9, 2018
The @EnglandRugby v @Springboks game is again highlighting that Eddie Jones either trusts a player entirely or not at all. Can’t be an easy environment to play in #rugby
— Paul Holder (@PaulHolder) June 9, 2018
I know we're missing a few players etc but it is starting to look like Eddie jones' England peaked too soon and we'll be back to average when the World Cup rolls around
— Ed Banthorp (@BigEdBanthorp) June 9, 2018
Nowhere near enough close ups of Eddie Jones for my liking #RSAvENG
— Murray McCann (@MurrayMcCann) June 9, 2018
Did Eddie Jones take off the wrong lock?
— Alex Lowe (@AlexMLowe) June 9, 2018
That first half was Eddie Jones’ England tenure in a nutshell. Stormed out the blocks, weak from there on in. #RSAvENG
— Matt Cotton (@FindingCotton) June 9, 2018
