South Africa had won 11 of the last 12 Tests against England and were ahead early on, a Pat Lambie penalty and drop goal giving them a 6-0 lead in just seven minutes. However, from that point on, there was little doubt as to the eventual outcome as Twickenham cheered on four tries for the home side. Jonny May, Courtney Lawes, George Ford and Owen Farrell all crossed over while more points came from the boot of Farrell.
The Springboks scored two tries themselves, in the second half through Johan Goosen and Willie le Roux, but they were consolations by that time as England held on for an emphatic win.
England are next back at Twickenham next Saturday when they play Fiji with fixtures against Argentina and Australia to come.
After the game skipper Dylan Hartley said: “There’s plenty to work on, so that keeps us grounded.
“We conceded six penalties in opening 20 minutes and that isn’t good enough. But we’re very happy to get that monkey off our back and I’m very proud of our guys.”
Meanwhile, at Murrayfield Scotland almost held on for a famous win against Australia. They were leading for most of the game and were 22-16 ahead going into the last few minutes.
However, Tevita Kuridrani went over for a late try and Bernard Foley added the conversion for a 23-22 victory. The All Blacks bounced back from the shock defeat to Ireland last week as they won 68-10 away in Italy.
England are 1/1 to win next year’s Six Nations and are 9/4 to win the Grand Slam.
They are 9/2 to win the 2019 World Cup with the All Blacks 11/10.
View all Rugby Union betting Bet365
Source: Bet365