England’s five-Test losing run came to an end as Owen Farrell marked his first win as captain by kicking six penalties in a 25-10 victory over South Africa at Newlands.
What started as an ugly spectacle scarred by repeated mistakes in Cape Town eventually developed into a tense climax to the tour that produced two eye-catching moments for both teams, Jess Kriel’s try for the hosts cancelled out by a scorching Jonny May effort.
But the biggest winning margin of the series was primarily about the boot of Farrell, who finished with a 20-point haul, and the renewal of English forward might after passive performances in the first two Tests.
It’s full time in Cape Town and England have beaten the @springboks ?#RSAvENG #CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/gZvBdVY5mV
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 23, 2018
Tweet of the match
Mmmmm @WillGreenwood calling Jonny May ‘Forest Gump’ ??!! ?????
— Will Carling (@willcarling) June 23, 2018
Star man – Jonny May
79′ RSA 10 – 25 ENG
Your @BollingerUK England Man of the Match: Jonny May ?#RSAvENG pic.twitter.com/GnWGVQ9mG8
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 23, 2018
The Leicester Tigers’ winger has been England’s best player in the three-match series and he showed it here again, capping another impressive performance with the tourists’ only try late in the second half.
Moment of the match
72′ RSA 10 – 22 ENG
TRY. Sublime cross-kick into the corner from @DannyCipriani87 and Jonny May dots down for England. Con Farrell.#RSAvENG live blog: https://t.co/ICC73agoPh pic.twitter.com/SurrekDrGk
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 23, 2018
The crossfield kick by Danny Cipriani, starting his first England game for 10 years, displayed wonderful vision to see the space for May to burst forward with a trademark turn of pace and touch down in the corner.
Data point
73′ RSA 10 – 22 ENG
Jonny May becomes the first player to score in four consecutive matches against South Africa. #RSAvENG pic.twitter.com/RrZCqxFWHK
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 23, 2018
It was certainly May’s day with his try giving him a deserved record for the level of consistency he has shown over the tour.