South Africa profited from a second-half penalty try to inflict more misery on Eddie Jones’ England with a 23-12 victory and a series win in the second test at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
Poor discipline cost England again as they slipped to a fifth Test loss in a row, piling the pressure on former Wallabies coach Jones some 15 months out from the World Cup in Japan next year.
Mike Brown and Jonny May run in fine tries as England opened up a 12-0 lead to evoke memories of Ellis Park a week ago but, although the collapse that followed was not as dramatic, it was ultimately more convincing as they failed to score again.
Number eight Duane Vermeulen also scored a try for the Springboks, while flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked three penalties and a conversion in a game that did not have the same high drama as the first test at Ellis Park, but was equally absorbing.
Thus, the ambition of becoming the first England team to complete a triumphant tour on these shores is in tatters, leaving Jones under growing pressure while the Springboks celebrated victory and another important landmark – Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira becoming their first black player to make 100 Test appearances.
Added to Jones’ problems was the injury sustained to Billy Vunipola shortly before half-time after the big number eight limped off – which places his involvement in the climax to the series in grave doubt.