A century or more ago, Englishmen travelled to South Africa hunting big game.
Steve Borthwick's modern-day tourists came with the same aim. England were looking for a contest that gave a true measure of where they stand against the world's best.
About five minutes into their 45-21 defeat by South Africa in Johannesburg they found it and found out.
Thomas du Toit had already steamrollered over for one try by then. Jasper Wiese had swept past Alex Coles with a run bristling with evil intent.
But it was the sight of loosehead prop Ox Nche stampeding through Ollie Chessum and Jamie George, with the England defence desperately, vainly backpedalling, that summed up a brutally chastening opening salvo.
Steve Borthwick's modern-day tourists came with the same aim. England were looking for a contest that gave a true measure of where they stand against the world's best.
About five minutes into their 45-21 defeat by South Africa in Johannesburg they found it and found out.
Thomas du Toit had already steamrollered over for one try by then. Jasper Wiese had swept past Alex Coles with a run bristling with evil intent.
But it was the sight of loosehead prop Ox Nche stampeding through Ollie Chessum and Jamie George, with the England defence desperately, vainly backpedalling, that summed up a brutally chastening opening salvo.
2 months ago
