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Springboks unleash big-game brutality on faltering England
England were shell-shocked. Never mind the gap, onlookers were marvelling at a sheer chasm in class between the two teams.
And this was a Springbok side that many had expected to start slowly.
South Africa’s last meaningful match was in November.
They have a lengthy injury list with the late withdrawal of captain Siya Kolisi and second row Eben Etzebeth, adding to the absence of star fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, forward mainstays Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Frans Malherbe and others.
The Springboks didn’t even get a chance to press their traditional scrum supremacy until the 21st minute.
But none of it mattered. South Africa were too skilful individually, too connected as a collective for England to make an imprint.
Ellis Genge and George Martin’s try-scoring rumbles, which cut the Boks lead to three at half-time, raised false hopes of an England comeback before the break
The Boks duly restored rugby’s new world order after the break.
“The second half was hardly a contest,” said former England fly-half Paul Grayson on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“England never got a foothold in the game and because of that their attack was bits and pieces.
“South Africa smashed the door down, rarely played more than a couple of phases but squeezed the life out of England. They were uncomplicated and uncompromising.”
Perhaps no side could have matched the double reigning world champions in such brilliantly belligerent mood.
But plenty will feel that England should have been closer to doing so.
Opting for Marcus Smith, an excellent and versatile player, but not a specialist full-back, at 15 after the late withdrawal of George Furbank did not settle the backfield defence.
Tommy Freeman, one of England’s best players in the air, remained in his less accustomed outside centre role.
Too often the Boks took to the air and returned with the ball, with the superb Damian Willemse ruling the skies.
England had promised to play ‘big’, mixing physical bravery with tactical daring. It was there, but only in parts.
All three England tries – with Henry Slade’s excellent kamikaze angle into the heart of the Bok defence followed up by a smart mispass to Alex Coles to cross for their final score – showed that intent.
One early passage with Fin Smith and Ben Earl combining well and Jack van Poortvliet finding his man with a one-handed offload round the back of tackler carved through the hosts.
But the attacking ambition and accuracy wavered across the contest.
Gary Hamilton has been linked with most Irish Premiership vacancies since he left his role at Glenavon in 2023.
Hamilton made 132 appearances and scored 70 goals for the east Belfast side and is already well respected at the club.
The 45-year-old has always had an eye for bringing in and developing younger talent, a skill which would benefit the Glens.
During his almost 12-year spell at the Lurgan Blues, he won the Irish Cup twice in 2014 and 2016, registered four third-place finishes and European football.
Hamilton currently manages Conference League side Ballymacash Rangers, who have won the Steel and Sons for the first time during his tenure.
A manager such as Hamilton, who has secured plenty of silverware during his career, will certainly tick a lot of the boxes that Glentoran would be hoping for in a new manager.
Whereas players in sports like football earn a salary based on a contract with the team that employs them, and athletes in individual sports like tennis and golf can earn a great deal from prize money at major tournaments, athletics competitors rely much more heavily on personal sponsorships and endorsements.
That is because they are paid no direct annual salary, and the only standardised prize money on offer is $50,000 (£37,000) for winning gold in one of the 48 track and field events at the Olympics.
That prize money was only introduced at the 2024 Games in Paris, and is paltry compared to the potential millions in winnings on offer in other major sports.
Some nations – including the USA – also choose to pay athletes who win medals from their own resources, but Britain does not.
Instead, athletes are awarded funding and grants by UK Sport, with the majority of the money coming from the National Lottery.
UK Sport ranks athletes by how likely they are to win medals at major events, and gives more funding to those whose chances it believes are better.
Athletes typically use that funding to pay for training camps, equipment, travel and, in some cases, personal support staff like physiotherapists, nutritionists and chefs.
So why would athletes be instructed to wear national team kit at the Ultimates?
The Ultimate Championship is billed as three fast-paced evenings with a record $10m (£7.4m) prize pot on offer for the biggest stars in athletics.
The condensed schedule and focus on star names is designed to appeal to viewers on television and social media – the latter likely playing a role in the focus on short, sharp bursts of action which can capture attention online.
Most viewers of athletics are used to watching athletes compete while wearing national kit at the Olympics and World Championships. Put simply, the use of a national kit makes it easier for the casual viewer to quickly spot who they should be rooting for and feel invested in the action.
But Kerr’s comments have highlighted the fact that something which may well improve the viewing experience can be felt as a direct financial negative by the athletes themselves.
With the next edition of the Ultimate Championship set to take place in September 2028, shortly after the Olympics in Los Angeles, the battle between brands and country could continue to heat up.
Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64.
Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for the Hammers from 1990 to 1998 and was much loved by supporters, who regularly sang his name long after he left the club.
He later returned as a goalkeeping coach.
Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, three years after his diagnosis.
Days later he returned to West Ham’s London Stadium for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero’s reception.
A West Ham statement read: “It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Miklosko.
“Rest in peace Ludek, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.”
More to follow.
Irish Premiership: Who will replace Declan Devine as Glentoran manager?
Josh Kerr: Ultimate Championship 1500m winner ramps up debate over country vs brands kit
Ludek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64
US Open 2026 results: Alexander Zverev beats Ben Shelton for second Grand Slam title
Erling Haaland goal: Was Haaland’s derby winner a VAR error?
World Athletics’ stance on Russian athletes ‘won’t change’ – Sebastian Coe
Tom Aspinall: UFC to consider removing heavyweight title after almost year out injured
US Open 2026 results: Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to win New York title
US Open 2026 results: Alfie Hewett wins fifth men’s wheelchair singles title in New York
England vs Pakistan player ratings: Has Jordan Cox given selectors food for thought?
Josh Kerr: Ultimate Championship 1500m winner ramps up debate over country vs brands kit
