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BLOEMFONTEIN - Wing Bryan Habana scored two tries and fullback Percy Montgomery kicked 23 points as South Africa inflicted a record 58-10 defeat on England in the first test this morning (NZT).
England, missing most of their first-choice players and further weakened by a virus sweeping through the squad, trailed 30-3 at halftime and, although they put up some resistance in the first 30 minutes of the second half, they still slumped to their heaviest defeat at the hands of the Springboks.
Montgomery succeeded with all 10 of his kicks at goal -- seven conversions and three penalties -- while wing Ashwin Willemse, flank Schalk Burger, both on their returns to international action after lengthy injury absences, centre Jean de Villiers, replacement wing Francois Steyn and replacement prop CJ van der Linde also scored tries.
The victory surpassed their 35-9 Johannesburg success in 1984 and 44-21 1999 World Cup quarter-final victory as the biggest margin and highest score against England.
- REUTERS
