Historic win against Boks can revitalise England regime

After 11 straight wins in 2025, England's momentum crashed to a halt in the recent Six Nations, losing four times in a row for the first time in the tournament's history.

It was a slump that threatened to derail the whole Steve Borthwick project, but following a "thorough and honest" Rugby Football Union review, the England head coach and his staff have been backed to carry on through to the World Cup in Australia next year.

The pressure, though, is still on. Memories of that winning run have long faded, with supporters left frustrated by a Six Nations beset by ill-discipline and a lack of accuracy and execution.

A final day romp in Paris, albeit in a 48-46 defeat, restored some pride and respect – and perhaps pointed to a new way of playing.

Next up is the biggest test of all. The double world champions South Africa in their spiritual home of Ellis Park in Johannesburg, a place where England haven't won in 54 years.

At times during the Six Nations, England looked a muddled and confused team. So what version can we expect to see this Saturday, and across the summer?

Will they adopt a kick-first approach, or will they be empowered to play more with the ball in hand, as was the case in the Stade de France?

"It's not so much about trying to emulate that one game or one style of play," lock Alex Coles explained to BBC Sport this week.

"We've got a clear identity. It's more about doing it better than we have been doing. And in Paris, we did.

"So we feel like we've put ourselves in a good place to go and test [our identity]. And what better way than against the best team in the world?"

England wing Cadan Murley added: "You have to go out there with a mindset to score tries.

"The biggest thing we've focused on is what is the England way and finding that. Look at the product across the Prem and how many tries are being scored.

"Rugby has gone into that more attacking mindset. That France game we showcased a little bit of what we can do ball in hand and that is something we've focused on coming into this game."

For a coach that values continuity and cohesion, Borthwick took a sledgehammer to his side after the Scotland and Ireland Six Nations defeats, ripping up his whole backline for the games against Italy and France.

And while the longer-term selection picture still lacks consistency – only six players in Saturday's XV started the last meeting with South Africa in November 2024, compared to 11 for the Springboks – the midfield trio of Fin Smith, Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman are together for a third Test in a row.

Ollie Chessum was colossal on the blindside flank against France, and he wears that jersey again this weekend. In all, 15 of the 23 involved in Paris will run out at Ellis Park.

On top of that, George Martin and George Furbank – two outstanding players who have missed the last 18 months because of injury – are both back, offering size and skill respectively. Firecracker winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso also returns, a player sorely missed earlier this year.

Regular skipper Maro Itoje is rested, but Coles is improving all the time and playing the best rugby of his career.

The front row is extremely experienced, and while there is a youthful tinge to the bench, captain Jamie George says the likes of Beno Obano, Asher Opoku-Fordjour and man-of-the-moment Henry Pollock are "frothing at the mouth" for the opportunity.

The squad held a "retro shirt" night in their hotel last week – with players sporting old-school England football and rugby jerseys - but not since 1972 has a team in white won at Ellis Park.

Nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, the altitude and atmosphere make it one of the hardest places to win in world rugby. Ticket sales have been disappointingly slow, but with prices dropping from 2,000 Rand to 600 through the week, a lively crowd is expected.

England's preparation, though, has been detailed, with assistant coach Sir Kevin Sinfield already noticing the impact of a week's acclimatisation. George is in no doubt his team is ready.

"We have prepared really well," he told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"I know that you speak to every captain before a game and they say they're prepared.

"But we have. And I've been around the block long enough to know that we've got something coming and we're backing what we're about to go and do."

South Africa are one of the best teams of all time, targeting an unprecedented Rugby World Cup three-peat, but they are not unbeatable.

Rassie Erasmus' side haven't played a Test match since November, and a number of their Japan-based players won't be as battle-hardened as England's. Australia showed last year even the mighty Boks can be caught cold in the chilly air of the high veld.

George says he has been "blown away" by his players' attitude since touching down in South Africa. That attitude, he says, is in no small part down to a determination to right the wrongs of the Six Nations.

"There's been just an absolute desperation for the players to get into the rugby," he added.

"It's been fascinating because I've been having to tell the boys to take your minds off it a little bit. They're mad to get into it."

Despite a challenging schedule, England need to deliver in the coming weeks. After South Africa they fly home to face a stacked Fiji in Everton, before going on the road again to play Argentina in Santiago del Estero, all on consecutive Saturdays.

Three defeats, not impossible given the opposition, would make it seven losses on the bounce and would lead – again - to some uncomfortable questions for both Borthwick and the RFU hierarchy.

But a history-making victory here would consign the Six Nations to dust and revitalise the Borthwick regime.