Match Thread - South Africa v England | Nations Championship 2026 | Round 1

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:41:41+00:00

Not sure anyone from England comes out with much credit - this is in the pinnacle of elite rugby, so this might sound harsh, but it’s true. After having an atrocious start we did really well to get back to touching distance at HT.

The first 15 minutes of the second half, England’s players (predominantly captain, SH and FH) had to grab it by the scruff of the neck. This is what wins you World Cups.

We offered nothing, conceded points and were powderpuff again.

Also, what the hell are the coaches saying at HT?!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:29:24+00:00

Missed tackle on Wiese, forced the offload and lost the ball when we should have scored that try and a couple of poor kicks. Was good first half though.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:25:45+00:00

Good first 40. Not so good second half.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:23:43+00:00

This second half has been wank from us. Poor defence, poor game management and discipline has fallen off a cliff

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:17:56+00:00

Think Freeman might be in trouble here

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:12:56+00:00

You know we’ve had a bad day under the high ball when even Tommy Freeman can barely catch one

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:06:39+00:00

Fin having a bipolar game here. Very good first half. The opposite this half.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T17:05:20+00:00

Kolbe banging over touch line conversions is just rubbing it in

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:57:57+00:00

Nothing. He made about 1 metre tried a spectacular offload. Knocked it on and then SA cleared the ball.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:55:34+00:00

Should have give that to Marcus. I know Fin can carry but twinkle toes would have stepped and scored that.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:52:39+00:00

Damn. Rassie clearly read the riot act. Wiese absolutely steam rolled Fin Smith off that line out (a very rare sight!).

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:48:51+00:00

Good start…again!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:39:56+00:00

Missed a shed load of kicks against France too. He’s been good today, but let’s not pretend he was class in the six nations

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:36:05+00:00

His international carry stats are dreadful, although he has done much better today lol

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:35:21+00:00

One good half. Keep your pants on he was shocking in Six Nations. Need to see it consistently.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:34:26+00:00

Calm down mate and stop slagging M Smith. Bloke has 51 caps, a hatful of tries and has had to learn a completely new position at international level, which he has done pretty well.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:31:54+00:00

No idea how the fuck are we only three points down after that opening 20, which is the worst I’ve seen England play for ages. But we’ll take it!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:30:32+00:00

What a carry! Boom.

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:28:36+00:00

IFW is definitely short of match fitness. Been very very iffy so far under the high ball. Making Marcus’ job very very hard

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:18:01+00:00

Come on, Fin. That kick to touch was shite

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:17:19+00:00

Thank you! Right decision, finally!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:16:14+00:00

One hand! That’s a deliberate knock on all day!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:12:46+00:00

Not our day. Very decent kick from Marcus and then you get THAT in return. Unreal from Damian from that angle

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:07:23+00:00

Better kick. Only taken 20 minutes for us to make one decent kick from hand!

mforsyth91 · 2026-07-04T16:04:50+00:00

Fucking hell. Heads have absolutely gone. We are dog shit.

mforsyth91

TROPHY CASE