Our largest ever victory over South Africa in 2002

Relive the big moments from an historic 53-3 victory over South Africa at Twickenham in 2002. The result remains our largest ever win over the Springboks.

[@vonteflon]

Four different place kickers and every single kick nailed right through the middle.

[@kanegarner3468]

Tim Stimson and Matt Dawson from out wide were picture perfect!

[@grahammitchell5444]

The writing was on the wall for 2003. Best England squad in my time so thank you to England Rugby for posting this; pure bloomin' GOLD.

[@mhoppy6639]

God how we miss Neil Back - superb and criminally ignored by all coaches until Clive Woodward saw his true value. My dad used to say ALL THE TIME - “they’re not picking their best player” right up until the point where Back came in and then he said “I don’t like Woodward but he’s picking the right team now!” Was Neil Back playing when Jack Rowell was coach and we had all those massive back row units ??

[@CaptainCrunch486]

I was there. Fifteen years old. Waited after the match with my parents and managed to get Will Greenwood’s shorts and socks after the game. Ten years later met up with him again at a book signing where he kindly signed the shorts!!! Legend!!!

[@darthmong7196]

You were lucky to get those. Greenwood was pretty superstitious about his socks.

[@Rover200Power]

Nice, I have a pair of Jason Leonard's socks after a training session at Marlow RFC, must have been mid-1990s. I can't remember if they have been washed . . .

[@oliveringram3056]

I remember being there for this game. The dirtiest first half ever witnessed. England came out in second half and played them off the pitch. Talking to S.A. supporters on the train back after the game, they were embarrassed and ashamed of their team.

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

I watched him lay into Jonny and my mum who absolutely loves him says and I quote who’s the twat who hurt my Jonny 😂

[@Sunshinez732]

If they were in the stands, they would have been oblivious to that to which I assume you refer. They were more likely ashamed by the result.

[@oliveringram3056]

@@Sunshinez732 I was in the stands and I saw it..?

[@johnsmithwinkwink1704]

Very brave against 14 men huh!!

[@grahammitchell5444]

@@johnsmithwinkwink1704 Yup; that was a weak performance; fast forward to RWC 2019....Ouch.

[@bobtollafield918]

That team had what Martin Johnson so eloquently put it, a bit of dog about them. They weren’t intimidated or bullied by anyone.

[@geoffroberts201]

Loved watching Greenwood. One of the best centres ever.

[@anthonyparkinson5544]

His try where he pushed the prop back

[@attackpatterndelta8949]

Would love to see England playing like this again. Some wonderful offloads there.

[@benjabin6729]

@@somenamethatdoesntmatter we didnt really go in with a gameplan we just went on the pitch and played the rugby- Johnson when talking about the world cup final. Would deffo be crushed these days

[@cybertrophic]

@@benjabin6729 Quins winning the premiership doing exactly the same would suggest otherwise...

[@kristrevellion9454]

They would be world beaters even today. The brutal rugby England played then but also the brilliance pace and deft offloading and decision making would overcome any team today. They got to the point with that squad that they didnt know how to lose and would win ugly if necessary.

[@midranddentist]

England needed to play against 14 men to post their biggest win. This game was far from special. England needed an unfair advantage.

[@nay8991]

@midranddentist What are you going on about. Just appreciate the good rugby. People nowadays always look for the negatives in everything. Go and bore somebody else

[@philt7278]

Listen to 5:00 the commentator says "there's more chance of Man City winning the league than that try not being given" - they wouldn't say that now!

[@richardshaw1968]

Barnes well known for talking rubbish…

[@copferthat]

Don’t tell Will Greenwood that, he’s a devoted city fan

[@okbutthenagain.9402]

@@richardshaw1968 well in 2002 I had more chance of wining the league than city

[@stevelee4952]

There may never be a greater england team than this. Giants.

[@thecuttingsark5094]

South Africa go behind, start handing out the cheap shots, what a surprise.

[@anthonyparkinson5544]

What an array of marvellous place kickers

[@robertshears8385]

This brought back some great memories of 2002-2003 England rugby, saw 2 games at Twickenham against southern hemisphere teams but not unfortunately this one.

[@lost_boy]

I can't see that happening this weekend, but it's going to be a great match no matter what.

[@KnightWing274]

Next minute lol 53 - 3

[@mickavoidant4780]

When will we get another team that strong

[@royw-g3120]

SA tried roughhousing tactics in this game esp. The captain. It did not work.

[@michaelbaker7499]

Based on what I know of this game i have one question: if that was a red card offence, how did South Africa keep 14 men on the pitch?

[@andyrudge3751]

Because they started with 15....

[@soddof7972]

Because the ref went very lenient after that call - ie Christophers being necked

[@chickenstick262]

Will greenwood, what a legend

[@hicksyfern]

That’s one of my favourite ever tries. Eyes in the back of his head, and does at least two defenders by basically stopping. Class.

[@terminallyinquisitive1731]

I know Guscott was the Prince but Will G had everything- my favourite English centre ever. He scored so many tries, made tries for others and solid in defence

[@theofarmmanager267]

Always like and liked Miles Harrison commentaries but the best thing about the match on Saturday is that I don’t have to listen to Stuart Barnes

[@DJYoue]

Every England name said by the commentator and you're like "a great of the game!"

[@simoncooper913]

I was there!! Wow!

[@hypedude6120]

How come I don't remember this game? Incredible. It would have been a tragedy if this team had not gone on to win in 2003.

[@barrysheridan9186]

The sending off spoilt the contest, but shoulder charging late is dangerous to the player being hit when unprepared.

[@Rugby12368]

Lovely play england I love watching this

[@michaellaurence9966]

Good on you England. Great game 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍👏💪

[@stlucia345]

Naughty punch from Corne Krige at 0:14. Wouldn’t get away with that now.

[@David-ud9ju]

The red card for the challenge on Wilkinson was really harsh though to be fair; that probably wouldn't even be a penalty today.

[@eokeeffe9581]

The man was hard as nails.bled for the cause always

[@ensh888888]

For psychological team building....Eddie should replay this for the team...hype them up for the weekend !

[@zacleng7805]

"There's more chance of Man City winning the league than that not being given as a try." How times have changed.

[@grahammitchell5444]

Man City...? Oh, that would be the Oik Ball, oui?

[@roderickherbert7233]

A day to remember....South Africa played some dirty rugby and paid for it.....

[@sachanminnaar9424]

Red card for that tackle in '02 was very harsh. Brilliant England team.

[@MyPhilw]

What a team we had 👏 shows how things have changed in the last few years , non stop penalty’s for silly things all the time , that end up costing us games

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

Believe gents! For England will not Be Dominated by The South much Longer!🌹🏉🌹 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@dantewalters5209]

Well, if your forwards are not up for it on Saturday, it will be a long day for the English. Worse than 2019.

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

@@dantewalters5209 Let’s hope the boks are a little more consistent then they are in past tournaments Eh?

[@nigel8484]

@@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart I guess we'll see in 2 days

[@mattybhoy6522]

Keep living in dream world We will trample the Rose's on Saturday

[@tonysa2337]

@@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart "more consistent than they were in past tournaments"???? What on earth are you on about? The Springboks have won 3 World Cups in 7 attempts, a record not matched by ANY other nation. You dont think it would be better for you if you stuck to reality, Eh?

[@johanventer5730]

The rev is going to try to make this dream a reality

[@johnx9774]

This era was the last time England had a team I enjoyed watching. They've blown hot and cold since (mainly cold) but compare that to the tripe we have had in the last few years. This was the match where SA were so dumb one of their players even managed to punch his own team mate.

[@duffymoony]

Dawson was a great 9.

[@KmT81]

Is it possible to have the full match+ England v Fidji WC'99 and England v Australia Test Match 2000

[@contrarian717]

As a SA sport fan, by far the worst day of my life.

[@agr7879]

Got a horrible feeling this Saturday may we’ll be our heaviest ever defeat against SA. I fear for our inexperienced, lightweight front row

[@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart]

Good thing it’s a friendly, we need to get the inexperienced guys out their to improve our country’s young talent

[@daverobinson5066]

@@Wolfsong27FlyHalfFullHeart No such thing as friendly in Test Match Rugby

[@David-ud9ju]

Lol, South Africa were rubbish against Scotland. Their defense was mediocre and they didn't threaten in attack at all. England haven't looked brilliant this Autumn, but they've definitely looked a lot better than anyone else.

[@ay613]

Do u really think we'll get pummelled like yes South Africa are favourites but u got to back the boys we are still a top 4 or 3 ranked side for a reason.

[@agr7879]

@@ay613 If we go in with a front row of Rodd, Blamire, Sinckler, then we’ll get pummelled in the scrum. And driven backwards constantly at the line out driven maul. I hope I’m wrong, but we weren’t that impressive last weak either

[@garethprice7879]

🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

[@mikeblacker3210]

Rewatching this clip and it occurs to me how Niel Back always ended up with a black eye halfway through the game.

[@bryanhannaford4619]

Superb rugby by England and South Africa wrongs were deservedly punished.

[@toffieandsooty]

I’d like to see a replay of the red card

[@julian221103]

i was sat behind 4 full on Boers, dressed in their kit at Twickenham. I'm surprised they didn't turn round and thump me.

[@chrisbaxter3597]

Saffers- every dirty cheap shot in the book - their favourite a knee or elbow on the player over the try line disguised as a tackle

[@duffymoony]

Yes, absolute dirty caaahnts. Glad we dropped them last week.

[@LockedDownSpectator]

This must feel like a really, really, really long time ago when it comes to the English and what the Springboks have subjected them to. Whether it’s a close one or they are getting whipped, it’s been nothing but pain.

[@Labraxsquad20]

I won £1000 off watching this game, I bet that England would win the RWC 2003

[@homeone4054]

Ah the old days...cotton jerseys, referees pointing at the spot the try was scored, scrums not taking 10 minutes

[@iseriver3982]

Quick ball, quick ball, quick ball.

[@5593doug]

One team turned up to play rugby that day. The other team was South Africa. And somehow they always cry when their dirty reputation is mentioned…

[@DJ-ct6so]

=== SPOILERS === GREAT all round performance by England in a brutal game. Admittedly Boks were down to 14 men for most of the game, but the red card was deserved. One of the biggest defeats South Africa has ever had.

[@mickavoidant4780]

The FA should bring the penalty try idea into soccer and have a penalty goal for handball off the line.

[@David-ud9ju]

Half the team kicked conversions in this match.

[@hicksyfern]

You know it’s your day when your fourth or fifth choice kickers are banging them over from the touch line.

[@darthmong7196]

Having so many guys who could step up was a credit to Dave Alred. Of the guys kicking here, only Wilkinson was a 1st choice premiership kicker.

[@alasdaircampbell1863]

👍

[@andycandyandy]

Some parts of twickenham look very different!

[@peterfranklin1759]

I was there with my son - surrounded by a sea of gloomy South Africans. But they kept us supplied with biltong.

[@lloydrobson]

A year later to the day , England win the World Cup

[@susannamarker2582]

Labuschagne = THUG.

[@toniocartonio572]

Pretty sad to see Steve Thompson there

[@homonaledi640]

You have to go 20 years back to find a moment to cheer about

[@vulture3874]

Uh huh?

[@ianmarsden1130]

IMO England were better in 2002 than in 2003. It's a shame that Labuschagne got sent off because it was late but not that late and in those days I think a yellow would have been fairer. Not that it would have made much difference.

[@ZEP0034]

England then outstanding.

[@thetruth3462]

This England team could beat any boks team from any era.

[@LockedDownSpectator]

Hmmm…

[@LockedDownSpectator]

Still hurts a Springbok fan, this disgrace. But we can all agree that the Boks have paid England back enough times 20 times over. So I can at least sit through this shameful day in South African rugby history.

[@gianpaolodilallo7755]

England trashed South Africa!

[@mrb1380]

I was at the game and it reflected England at the peak of their powers against shall we say not the finest Bok team to run out on a rugby pitch. Think England will struggle this weekend, so just hoping for a decent performance.

[@EnglishVeteran]

The Yarpies would not have beaten that team with 15!

[@Brentmeistergeneral]

NO BOKKE!

[@etienne.vdlinde]

15 vs 14 for 60 minutes is definitely some victory to celebrate. Maybe the ref / fans will again desperately find some offenses to red-card this weekend to make things "fair".

[@thecuttingsark5094]

SA went down to 14 men because they were losing and started to hand out cheap shots. It’s their own fault. They have a history of doing this. With today’s TMO they would have been down to 10 men given all the punches they threw.

[@osr4152]

Fans like you are so ignorant and one eyed. They went down to 14 through their own poor discipline and could have lost more through yellow cards. They were dirty as hell. A few years ago Krige officially apologised to Matt Dawson for how he acted during this game. Look that up and educate yourself before spouting your conspiracy theories about anti SA bias. Thankfully the game has moved on and is clamping down on late/ high hits to protect players long term health.

[@chrisbateman3687]

Are you still saying the same thing after the 2023 RWC final when you were playing against 14 players? As it is you should have been down to 13 if Barnes had been as fastidious about the laws on contact to the head when the Boks did it as he was about Sam Cane. Was that hardly a victory because of the man advantage, or is that only applicable when it affects South Africa?

[@Thegrumpycoach]

1:23 red card!

[@leeturton9254]

That team to a man were comfortable with ball in hand...off loading all over the shop... people make out that team was dull... effective but dull... simply not true

[@Sunshinez732]

I remember being quite grumpy after watching this at the Sports Cafe off Piccadilly Circus back then. Thank God I will never have to see this against England for the rest of my life (if all goes well, I've only got another 40 years left).

[@SolarMumuns]

Boks supporters - renowned for humility

[@piersderoos6941]

Sifa

[@robroy4663]

@@Sunshinez732 lots of humility as suggested before. Not a great memory either. Anything can happen, as you well know when you lost in the biggest upset in history to a tiny Japanese side. And then there was Italy a few years before. England with all their wealth and talent could easily pit you to the sword in the future. But definitely not today!!

[@chrisbaxter3597]

When England could physically bully the Saffers - I know they were a man down- but England had real dog - who can we say-in the present England have that ?

[@felixthefoxMEXICO]

its going to be a slaughter

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

Red card was a hometown decision and as we saw a couple weeks back ( head contact on Etsabeth) nothing is changed…. well at least we can say the refs are consistently biased.

[@soddof7972]

Still not a red card when you twist and fall into the arm. There were plenty of red card offences in this game which were let go - like the clothesline on Christophers

[@elih9700]

5.03 more chance of Man City winning the league rofl.

[@rdgrdg1632]

Sa pure filth

[@Thegrumpycoach]

''pure filth''? please open your history books and understand who brought their filth worldwide!

[@QuinMighty]

England....2nd tier Team. LOSERS to Bokke in RWC finals. Crying, salty whingers.

[@lewissypher2595]

You have to go back a long time for that. Ps that 02 on your jersey isn’t yohr sponsor. It’s your win loss ratio to Boks in RWC finals 🇿🇦

[@johnsmithwinkwink1704]

AH YES we got red carded for tackling Johnny and played most of the game with 14 men. 26 May 2007 South Africa 58 Poms 10( and they had 15 men), so what's the point here ?

[@googoogjoobgoogoogjoob]

The point? That day you were spanked.

[@popeyedish]

Arrogant dirty boks getting exactly what they deserved is a good starting point

[@wrightyy]

This was a terrible SA team to be fair.

[@mercomania]

Not a World Cup Final though.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@henryjamesnigel]

Er... No. They won that later on.

[@mercomania]

@@henryjamesnigel Just the one. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@henryjamesnigel]

@@mercomania and .... It was the only time that England really were the number one team in the world and beat everyone in the process. As for this SA team, do they understand the concept of running rugby or are they going to continue winning by being stronger than the others?

[@mercomania]

@@henryjamesnigel Nothing wrong with being stronger than the others, even the Kiwi´s are now failing in that quarter. who knows what new system will evolve.

[@JRDen19]

You getting destroyed just like the final

[@vulture3874]

You don't say.

[@JRDen19]

@@vulture3874 bs ref

[@prudeuncle]

@@JRDen19 from a bok supporter please don't blame the ref as you just make us all look like moaners. Just tell the truth, we lost this game ourselves.

[@JRDen19]

@@prudeuncle kzbin.info/www/bejne/enqpp3SlqLpmqpY

[@prudeuncle]

@@JRDen19 and what about all the points pollard left on the field. How many line outs did bongi over throw?

[@johanventer5730]

World rugby sucks

[@bittereinder4594]

The standard of professional rugby has increased a lot in 20 years. These guys look unathletic. The pace seems slower than some of the highschool games I've played in.