Boks inflict fifth successive Test defeat on England

South Africa handed England their fifth straight Test defeat, winning 45-21 at Ellis Park after a high-contrast contest that shifted sharply in the Springboks’ favor. The hosts lost captain Siya Kolisi and second-row enforcer Eben Etzebeth to injury only hours before kickoff, yet started with intensity to build a 17-0 lead inside 12 minutes. England, initially subdued at the “spiritual home” of South African rugby, returned to contention through tries by Ellis Genge and George Martin. Momentum increased further for South Africa when Tommy Freeman and Guy Pepper were sin-binned, leaving England down to 13 men for the final seven minutes. Steve Borthwick’s side were then blown away late, marking a disappointing start to the Nations Championship after a narrow loss to France in March. England’s July tour continues with Fiji and Argentina, while George Furbank’s appendicitis could rule him out for the rest of the month.