In the last 5 meetings (over the last 3 years) we’ve only beaten South Africa once. It was at Twickenham and it was only just (by 2 points, 23-21). Our total points difference is 116 against in those 5 matches.
We started the tournament 279-1 outsiders. We’re still 3-1 against as compared to the Springboks 2-1 on. But:
What a day. I can’t say much, being one of the many people who consigned Northern Hemisphere rugby to certain failure this World Cup. But oh my God, I’ve never been happier to be so so wrong. France beat the All Blacks and England beat Australia in two thrilling matches. Suddenly the World Cup has come alive.
So. England get humiliated by the South Africans 36-0 and a reasonable amount of blame is placed at the door of ex-League superstar, Andy Farrell. The question is asked (yet again) can players change code and continue their careers at the same level?
At the same time, rather overshadowed by the farce of the World Cup, the Guinness Premiership kicked off this weekend, and another code switcher made rather a different debut. Start, as they say, as you mean to go on.
(I’m glad my South African colleague doesn’t care so much for sport. Any other South African I’ve met would be making my life hell all week after both the rugby and the cricket)
It was obvious that we had no chance of defending our title, but today’s news pretty much puts the icing on the cake.
Given our appalling showing I had pinned my hopes on the French and the Irish as the two Northern hemisphere teams with some chance, but… Even that seems painfully distant now. Australia v New Zealand in the final, with New Zealand to win. But then we knew that months ago, didn’t we?
Two world cups this year in my two favourite sports… Somehow I should be more excited.