England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, still believes his side are on track to become a successful team but admits a fifth consecutive Test defeat was a “painful” experience for all concerned. England have not lost three November Tests in a row since 2006 and have now managed just four wins in 11 matches in 2024.
Excluding their summer tour game against Japan, England’s only other victory in the past nine months has been at home to Ireland in March. Otherwise they have lost to Scotland, France, New Zealand (three times), Australia and now South Africa and have slipped to seventh in the world rankings.
Borthwick, though, did acknowledge his team’s 20-29 loss to the Springboks was another bitter pill to swallow after the visitors restricted England to just three points in the second half. “These are challenging days for us,” said Borthwick. “It’s tough right now. It’s painful. But we will work through it and be a better team because of these painful experiences.
“It’s incredibly frustrating. I can feel the frustration of the players and the disappointment of the supporters. While there’s much to be proud and positive about, we want to win games. It’s not happening now [but] I’m very confident we’re on the right path. I think this team has an incredibly exciting future. When we move the ball you can see the talent and pace we have.”
Borthwick also insisted he still retained the full support of the Rugby Football Union despite England’s barren run. “The feeling I get from the RFU is one of absolute support and absolute belief from everybody that this team is going in the right direction. These are painful experiences we’re going through but I think this adversity will be good for the team in the long term.
“The most impatient people are us. We want everything to happen now. But it’s important to recognise how good South Africa are. They’re world champions and the consistency they have means you have to be on the money for every second of the Test match. Small lapses can end up being hugely significant. That’s what we’re working through with the players to ensure we go to where I think this team can go in the next few years.”
England’s captain, Jamie George, felt similarly. “We wanted to give the fans three wins from three, of course we did. I think we created a lot of opportunities against a world class team. What we need to do is make sure we find the fixes to close out these games. I have every confidence in the players and the staff.”
The full-back Freddie Steward, however, suggested England’s discipline “had cost us” and also that his side had not been sufficiently consistent at the breakdown. South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus, however, saluted England’s endeavour and said the match had been “as competitive as hell”. He also singled out his two-try winger Cheslin Kolbe for special praise. “I keep saying he’s a special player but it doesn’t seem to go to his head,” said Erasmus. “I don’t think there’s a title that he hasn’t won. We’re fortunate we’ve got such a good crop of wingers.”
