South Africa v England - First Test
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| Francois Hougaard of South Africa has his kick charged down by Tom Johnson
during the First Test match between the South Africa Springboks and England at
Kings Park Stadium on June 9, 2012 in Durban, South Africa.
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June 8, 2012 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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First blood to South Africa
South Africa landed the first blow in their three-Test series with England as a strong second-half showing saw them win 22-17 in Durban on Saturday.
Tries from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers did the damage after the turnaround as the visitors struggled to repeat their impressive opening.
* It was a deserved win for the Springboks however as they recovered well from a disappointing half that saw the sides go in with six points apiece. 
Marcell Coetzee during the 1st Castle Lager Incoming Tour test match between
South Africa and England from Mr Price Kings Park on June 09, 2012 in Durban,
South Africa.
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June 8, 2012 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
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England began in a cool fashion and looked comfortable in possession, taking all the correct options in the opening ten minutes. Ben Youngs was assured at the base while Dan Cole was hungry and Tom Johnson got through a great deal of carrying work as the Boks played second fiddle.
* The visitors were rewarded for their efforts too as South Africa debutant Eben Etzebeth failed to roll away after a Cole carry. Consequently, Owen Farrell was able to send over the first points of the series from 40 metres out in the seventh minute. * But that sparked the Boks into life and it was their battering ram, Willem Alberts, who was creating the go-forward, resulting in Morne Steyn drawing his side level with fourteen minutes gone. * There was definitely a chess match feel to the action.
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Ben Youngs of England runs with the ball during the First Test match between the
South Africa Springboks and England at Kings Park Stadium on June 9, 2012 in
Durban, South Africa.
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June 8, 2012 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Man-of-the-match: Alongside hooker Bismarck du Plessis, flanker Willem Alberts carried like a warrior for South Africa. A mention for England debutant Tom Johnson for his first-half.
* Moment-of-the-match: The try from Jean de Villiers was a sucker punch to England on the hour mark and put the Boks two scores up at 16-6. From that point on England were playing catch-up and in a second-half where they rarely threatened, the result was arguably settled. * Villain-of-the-match: Barring a bit of push and shove between Owen Farrell and Frans Steyn after the latter had kicked the ball at England's fly-half, it wasn't too feisty at all.
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South Africa 22 England 17: match report
A tough tour suddenly got a whole lot tougher. This was the game England had to win because South Africa were undercooked and because England had to build on the momentum and confidence gained from the Six Nations. But it did not go to plan. Not remotely.
Ben Morgan of England charges upfield
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June 8, 2012 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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The stark conclusions from what was a very ordinary Test match were that England still lack an attack that is capable of unlocking defences, even one as pedestrian as South Africa’s, and that they lack forwards who can mix it with the Bok pack.
It was reasonably close in the end thanks to a smartly taken try by Ben Foden but in the third quarter, when South Africa finally got their big men smashing forward, England were beaten in the collisions, beaten for territory, beaten for possession.
The result means that the Boks have won eight straight games against English opposition. With two Tests to come, there is every chance of that number reaching a damaging double figures.
It does not help England’s cause that South Africa took an age to find themselves in their first Test under Heyneke Meyer.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9321690/South-Africa-22-England-17-match-report.html *** 
Tom Johnson of England runs with the ball during the First Test match between
the South Africa Springboks and England at Kings Park Stadium on June 9, 2012 in
Durban, South Africa.
(
June 8, 2012 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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South
Africa meet England in the second Test match in Johannesburg next Saturday.
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