Rugby Test Match 2002 -- England vs. South Africa

[@grahammitchell5444]

This was the best English side in my memory (and I am 66); they beat the ABs with 13 men against 15 and, as we all rejoiced, went to the raise the Webb Ellis Trophy. Just fantastic. I met Trevor Woodman in Perth, Australia a year or so later and embarrassed him by raving about the World Cup. Total modesty from the big man. His partner said he was quite a bit smaller than when he played and this fellow was BIG!

[@davidcampbell3722]

England were awesome in the autumn internationals beating nz 31 28 Australia 32 31 south Africa 53 3 following on with a grand slam truly awesome tons of respect from a new Zealand supporter 👌👌👍👍🖒🖒👏👏

[@thecuttingsark5094]

When you consider how dirty teams were against this England side, and the fact they got away with it, it makes you realise just how good this England team were.

[@Wolfmandave]

That really was a great side. World class forwards like Hill, Dallaglio, Johnson and Back. Backs like Jason Robinson and Ben Cohen and possibly THE most underrated England player of all time Will Greenwood. For 2 years they were just untouchable home or away.This match sums them up perfectly. SA try to physically intimidate them but instead of responding in kind they just punish them by piling on the points. Intimidation of a more subtle and effective kind.

[@bryanhannaford4619]

I have to agree with everything you say and glad I saw this and apart from the horrendous FOULS/dangerous play by the team in green I enjoyed every minute.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Agree with you totally. Richard Hill and Ben Kay were also brilliant up front, and Tim Stimpson was a solid back up full back. Had it not been for Jason Robinson he’d have got many more caps.

[@stephenreeds3632]

Totally ignored for the great team that they were. Still all the talk is about Wales in the 70s. Same with England in the 90s. 3 grand slams never even mentioned.

[@MattSmith-yq3rr]

It was all coming together from 2000-2001, won the first 2 six nations, should have been 4 on the bounce with 2 grand slams (robbed of a grand slam by France). We lost 5 games from winning the first 6 nations in 2000 to lifting the WC win in 2003. 5. In 4 years. Out of 47 test matches. Unreal. England's particularly amazing stats from 2002 six nations to lifting the world cup; P 26 W 24 L 2 - both to France. Included 3 wins over Australia, 2 each over NZ and SA, and many drubbings of others besides. Points for: 970 Points against: 334. Average winning margin: 25 pts. Average losing margin: 3 pts. Dominated.

[@hypedude6120]

I'm now rewatching England from this golden era. I'd forgotten just how good they were- so much talent.

[@soddof7972]

Under modern laws SA would have about 6 men at the end of this game

[@michaelbaker7499]

They should have been down by more then anyway

[@robicenco1]

Yes. But on the other hand they just wouldn't have attempted most of the cheap shots today because they would definitely be picked up by the TMO. You could get away with a hell of a lot in the old days if you wanted to.

[@Dickie2702]

I think this was the game that ultimately the SA captain apologised about for their foul play?

[@stuiep1983]

Richard Hill was a superb player.

[@simonread5289]

This England team had no weaknesses. They played as a team and won as a team. Great spirit and an inspiration to the sport. Breathtaking

[@D13-r9w]

That hit on Dawson was sickening, one of the worst acts of violence on an international rugby pitch and forever shames the so called boks captain

[@philclennell]

Will we ever see an England team as good as this one again? Sadly probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[@davidrowe3992]

As well as everything else, I love the goal-kicking here: Wilkinson, Dawson, Gomersall, Stimpson. Nailed the lot. Great stuff.

[@Loosehead]

Wilko missed a conversion.

[@maxwellfan55]

England on fire, fantastic handling, tenacity, running lines, skill everywhere.

[@pedroitalianstallion]

It makes you proud to be english . And not a steve walsh in sight ,Thank god no other ref's are like him.

[@5tuartGuy]

Great upload of England in their golden era :)

[@LockedDownSpectator]

This is the match Springbok players and us fans remember whenever we play/beat England. The 2007 and 2019 RWC finals make this memory barely livable. It still hurts.

[@richardpentelow655]

Sports Archivist. A shame you were like that.

[@chickentwisties2298]

Yes despite you both play crap rugby for both consecutive worldcups shoot you guys didn't even deserve to beat NZ in 95...

[@LockedDownSpectator]

@@richardpentelow655 this Springbok team’s thuggery is way worse than how bad they were. A shame we can never really live down.

[@LockedDownSpectator]

@@chickentwisties2298 If you’re going to make a point at least respect grammar and punctuation.

[@MartyP-lr7vw]

Good English team & phew that was embarrassing for my team the Boks & for us supporters - thankfully the next coach Jake White sorted out all of that uncalled for nonsense - that was not a good moment for SA rugby at all. We always look forward to a good game between our two countries and for it to be played with respect.

[@robicenco1]

And normally it is - this team just badly lost its way on this tour. Mr Krige and one or two of the other "senior" players should feel embarrassed by this match. Straeuli seems to have been a bit of a lunatic coach as well.

[@MartyP-lr7vw]

@@robicenco1 Straeuli was a loose cannon nutter who also unfortunately brought out the worst in the team. Erasmus is a fine coach with a humanistic approach and if he is upset by players then he approaches the relevant issues with a positive outcome.

[@davidtaliai996]

I remember this year of rugby. England beat all 3 tri nations sides in consecutive weeks but this game i remember the most 😂 SA rugby was in a shambles after the 99 world cup and it wasnt until jake white took over in 04 that they made themselves a credible powerhouse again.

[@robicenco1]

Yes, by the time England got to this match there was never any doubt that it was going to be a huge win. South Africa had had a horrible tour and clearly would have rather been anywhere other than Twickenham. England's narrow but thrilling wins against NZ and Aus (then world champions) just made them seem (and no doubt feel) invicible and they rode that wave through to the world cup the following autumn.

[@stephenreeds3672]

Notice how england get quick ball from ruck and Dawson passes straight away. Scrum halves now slow it up. Speed and support, what the ABs have been doing for years. Why can't we?

[@marlecmarine5393]

what a sensational match, SA were pulling all their dirty tricks. Wilkinson was hit late in the air, that was a dangerous tackle, I was happy he got red, it was well deserved,. The Springboks were used to getting away with dirty and dangerous play back then, but not this time.

[@bigg799]

As you have seen any rugger today thought this game from 2002 England ~Springboks might cheer you up ….BRUTAL XX

[@KL12199]

The day SA came to fight, not play rugby. Glad things have changed.

[@chrisbateman3687]

I'm not sure they have to be honest.

[@doctornov7]

Yep Jonny was in the air and it was late, so double offence, so a justifiable red.

[@GlenWood47]

Yonas Campbell In addition, there was no attempt to wrap an arm. Total thuggery. Owen Farrell looks like an angel by comparison.

[@Buggaton]

This is a really good video, you can see from the Score Bar at the bottom it's clearly been adjusted for camera bob back when camera work wasn't as good :D

[@yoe91]

England were utterly superb those years and a joy to watch. But I wonder how South Africa, a country with such an incredibly potent Rugby culture, could ever reach such a rock bottom those years in the early 2000s.

[@warwickrailton619]

Political interference in the sport is the general consensus and then the political situation in SA. The rot started with SARU and it's new head and has not recovered, don't let the 2019 WC win fool you. SA could field two teams in the last two world cups, one the Springboks and the other all the Saffers playing in the opposing teams. Each team can beat each other. The WC 2019 was all to do with a great coach.

[@LeanderAUT]

Boks Hit rock bottom again in 2016 and 2017 and then recovered again. I think that’s just what happens to most top nations that they’ll peform below their usual standards. England did great since Jones took over and even they had a bad year smh

[@deklerkverwoerd7721]

wonderful England side

[@iandunrossstruan]

Krige-Strauelli combo was the darkest era of Springbok rugby.

[@supersquats]

Agreed horrendous era. What people forget was that Jake white inherited that mess and took them to the title 4 years later

[@John-pl8fe]

Absolutely, worst coach and shittiest captain SA have ever had. SA rugby was a joke between 2001-2003.

[@doctornov7]

Yeah that tackle on Wilkinson was late and whilst he was in the air so it was a double offense so a red card.

[@sureseam]

+Yonas Campbell Quite so - but did both of those apply in that era?

[@doctornov7]

sureseam Yeah I guess why not?

[@soddof7972]

It was that it was a deliberate shoulder late through a man in the air so yes red card - bearing in mind as well he'd already warned SA captain about the dirty stuff.

[@PropBoyGinge]

The referee had already warned the captains that if there was any more off the ball stuff, the next player was going. It just happened to be Labuschagne on Wilkinson.

[@MancPie]

Don't cry mate. SA only know bully-boy tactics, team of cowardly flat-track bullies, full stop. But they got taught a lesson in this day. And I couldn't actually give a shiny shit whether you like England or not. Happy days.

[@John-pl8fe]

Until we bullied you in 2 World Cup Finals. When the going gets tough Springboks will fuck u up everytime!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@randyschwaggins]

@@John-pl8fe Mandela would be proud of you

[@ButlerAVFC]

The best rugby team ever.. I don't think any team in history would have beaten that England team

[@chrisarcher6972]

Agreed.

[@thekububeach]

I would be surprised if you were not english There is no way this team could beat All Blacks 2015

[@murdershe......7378]

@@thekububeach I think to be fair the current England team would have beaten the 2003 England team. Whether they have what it takes to beat South Africa next week we will have to wait and see but this current team are the total package.

[@vrs010]

This may well be the best team England will ever produce. Totally dominant between 2000-2003. To get over the line and win Rugby World Cup in 2003 was an amazing achievement.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

@@thekububeach All blacks 2015 were brilliant but McCaw was past his best at that point and so was Kaino - both absolutely key men to that team. At this time Richard Hill became the best 6 in history and was complimented by Back and Dallaglio. Rules are very different between the two eras with the early 2000s having less organised attacking/defence structures so not really a great 2 era to compare anyway.

[@MikeFranklin31690]

Just reviewed the Corne Krige tackle on Matt Dawson after the public apology issued by the former. Horrendous challenge.

[@peteharry351]

Add the fullback to the ex-Springbok list- most dangerous tackle I've ever seen.

[@KmT81]

Is it possible to have full match plz ?

[@KmT81]

Nice feint from Greenwood before he scores! England had its era in the early 2000s

[@chrisleiwe]

Interesting watching this again in 2021, not even sure that would be a red now with increased scrutiny on the tackle area. Late tackle in the air with no arms, with no mitigating factors, landed on his back which for me would suggest to me a yellow. But what it does show is how good this England team was. Comparable in my opinion to the this years Springboks in terms of refusal to be beaten

[@TomAraya23]

This game was dirty from the very start. that was the plan all along from the springboks.high tackles and kick the shit outta English.

[@pieterpohl1991]

Can't help but wonder how long before the current Bok team reach this low level. I'd say they are well on their way.

[@OstrichProduction]

Pieter Pohl they just did

[@steventheron1165]

Never count us out. We always bounce back!

[@only1utdanditsleeds]

Every time an England player was on the deck a Bok was trying to intimidate him shouting in his face. International rugby is a tough sport but that day the Boks played no sport. It was purely about physically injuring the opponent. I can remember watching and being shocked at the approach they took. I've never seen a match before or since that it was perpetrated for so long in the game. Apart from the sending off the officials were appalling to allow it to continue. Read Dawson's autobiography about the match for the truth about it. Criminal.

[@darthmong7196]

Jeez watching the closeups makes me feel dizzy. On another note, whatever happened to Phil Christophers?

[@myroseaccount]

The day the Welsh or the Irish do this to the SH teams I'll take their criticisms of England seriously. This England side then won the grand slam, and beat Australia and New Zealand away from home in the summer and then won the World Cup beating Australai at home in Sydney. No home nation has ome anywhere close and probably never will ever again. Indeed I don't see any NH team ever winning in the SH this century. If a Welsh team had achieved this UNPRECEDENTED pinnacles we'd never here the last of it.

[@peterchessell1949]

They will never emulate what england have acheived they will always be in the shadows!!!.

[@robicenco1]

What England achieved in 2000-2003 is even bigger than that - we won 12 matches in a row against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Obviously no other northern hemisphere country (France included) has ever achieved that (or come close to it), but... neither has any southern hemisphere country. Even at their very best New Zealand have never won 12 in a row against Australia and South Africa, and South Africa have never done it against New Zealand and Australia.

[@corriedebeer799]

The French did beat NZ in there own backyard in 09 so there is that.

[@Chris-ph9mf]

Corrie De Beer didn’t you see what he said. Winning a series away from home. And going long stages unbeaten.

[@GG-bz4hj]

New Zealand won 13 in a row against Australia and South Africa (2015-2017)

[@rogernewman6423]

What a team.

[@senluijr]

I have a few disagreements with that, if a player jumps to field a kicked ball they have protection not from a pass or general play. Late and without arms is where I see the problem, note the hard tackle on Robinson when he kicks the ball, just as the ball leaves the foot the tackle is made and with arms bearing the player to the ground.

[@richardpentelow655]

senluijr whatever that means!

[@chickentwisties2298]

That was one disastrous Springbok team...

[@silenusut]

Great memories

[@moddy121]

Didn't attempt to tackle, shoulder charge it was the right call.

[@skywalker0591]

Dark days in the history of Springbok rugby. Glad to say we're world beaters again.

[@Snookbone]

Did you write "world" when you meant "wife" cos you've always been that

[@John-pl8fe]

@@Snookbone And you used concentration camps to try and wipe out an entire race of people (the Boers) long before the Nazis. And now you have fuckoll colonies left.

[@TJD248]

My senses are tingling! They tell me you're a Welshman. You only hate this side because they beat you. Over and over and over.

[@robw7676]

Always think of this era RSA team as The Scumboks

[@agollaglee]

it looks like it has been "stabilised" for some reason. The youtube stabiliser looks like the work of that culprit

[@leonidasaa]

So many swinging arms and late hits as well during this.

[@Eddiestephenslpr]

Oh, God. I remember it all too well. Please don't bring it up again.

[@pigstrotters4198]

David Duckham wasn't a bad choice, but my childhood hero was Gareth Edwards...and son's is Jonny Wilkinson.

[@theglumrant9477]

I was alive and well in 2002, but Christophers? Who was he? Was he injured/dropped/never seen again? He had a great run at the start

[@curriculumveets]

I think he played for Bristol. He had a brilliant step, but could only do it one way. Once he was found out he was ‘easy’ to defend. I think he ended up in France *checks Wikipedia *

[@biffalo2993]

50+ points on the Saffer thugs ..... wonderful !!

[@John-pl8fe]

3 world cups to 1. Saffers still better rugby players than you.

[@johncash7466]

Shame poor poms

[@John-pl8fe]

Inbred poms haha

[@ewaf88]

SA were really poor in this match but just 5 years later they were World champs.

[@ewaf88]

When we had the power to dominate SA . Sadly no longer.

[@applemask]

Come on, even Stuart Barnes could tell that was a try.

[@TheTuppertime]

Jos Baxendell Nick Beal Tom Beim Matt Perry Stuart Potter Steve Ravenscroft Peter Richards Scott Benton Spencer Brown Dominic Chapman Matt Dawson Will Greenwood Austin Healey Alex King Josh Lewsey Matt Moore Tim Stimpson Jonny Wilkinson Garath Archer Neil Back Duncan Bell Steve Ojomoh Graham Rowntree Patrick Sanderson Simon Shaw Ben Sturnham Phil Vickery George Chuter Ben Clarke Richard Cockerill Darren Crompton Tony Diprose Rob Fidler Will Green Phil Greening Danny Grewcock Lewis Moody

[@darthmong7196]

Richard Pool-Jones Dave Sims

[@tarantulanipple]

Was this by any means filmed on a boat?

[@leonidasaa]

It was a red card but ironically he was probably quite unlucky especially in comparison to some of the other stuff the Boks were found to have committed on the day

[@robicenco1]

How about those touchline conversions!

[@schnozz87]

Blimey, Will Greenwood was some player wasn't he?

[@robbie_]

In his own mind, yes.

[@Loosehead]

Yes. Yes he was.

[@soddof7972]

Greenwood was an outstanding inside centre (despite wearing 13) his hands and running lines alone - England still haven't found a replacement.

[@chrisarcher6972]

Yeah... and one of the worst commentators ever (and he's up against some pretty stiff competition).

[@terminallyinquisitive1731]

Up there with Guscott as the best English centre in my opinion - deceptive pace, great hands, ran lovely lines and also strong in defence

[@jamesg3456]

Robinson had harder hits in league then that bell end could muster during a wet dream.

[@garyheaton3983]

England beat the bullies with skill and courage and 53 points!!!

[@John-pl8fe]

We beat you with skill in 2 WC Finals!!

[@John-pl8fe]

Go back to you ugly wife

[@tarantulanipple]

Hi how are you mate ? All the best.

[@sureseam]

Tackling when Wilkinson had both feet off the ground is liable to get a red card.

[@douglasschorr443]

Shoulder charge … no tackle.

[@kraaam]

how good was phil christophers!!

[@timknight1891]

Bristol player

[@Raichu234]

no it wasn't my bad. Hodgson was fly half that match

[@24jakenathan]

I think it had to be a red with the way they were playing. They'd been dirty with every play they made, and you can see on the replay he had no intention but taking Wilkinson out after the kick.

[@peteharry351]

I don't know who was more cowardly, the ref, the Bok players or the Bok management.

[@Raichu234]

Was this the November 18th game. If so I was there on my B Day :)

[@SoCalDreaming87]

A genuine embarrassment for the proud Springboks. England were unreal but Corné Krige was a disgrqce to the jersey. From a Springbok supporter. For life.

[@budwhite1]

I'm an England fan but that might be stretching it a bit mate lol. The 1996 ABs and the 1999 Wallabies and also the 70s Welsh team would have something to say. , 1996 ABs, for example, had Sean Fitzpatrick, Robin Brooke, Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeld and Zinzan Brooke up front and Andrew Mehrtens, Jonah Lomu, Frank Bunce, Jeff WIlson and Christian Cullen at the back....

[@royw-g3120]

SA lost all control in this game.

[@hughwhitla7930]

The guy who past that ball to Wilkinson should have been taking of the pitch.

[@darthmong7196]

Danny Cipriani is the 10 Austin Healey thought he was.

[@kraaam]

in the close ups they do look like they're trying to run through water...

[@xpat73]

I'm English - that was NEVER a red card. Yellow at best.

[@paulm2467]

Definite yellow, possible red more to the point is how was that " clothesline " on Christopher not a red?

[@robicenco1]

From 22:00-22:15 Krige smashes Dawson in the face, knee-drops Vickery and there are two other possible cheap shots from South African players.

[@ethanteasdale3266]

+robicenco1 it was probably the most physical game in history,SA were dispicable

[@patrickthomas8101]

ah South Africa doesn't losing very well

[@robicenco1]

@@nakedmolerat437 He can be a bit annoying it's true.

[@kersey41]

GO ENGLAND

[@jonnutter]

The Boks had nothing to offer other than thuggery

[@peteharry351]

Why so many compliments to Venter for his tackle on Robinson, for god's sake?

[@PierceBrosnanXXX]

:) Yeah!.

[@gouldianfinchesintheuk3221]

SA come with one game plan, play dirty, England showed why they were no1 at that time.

[@ay613]

This england team is the real madrid team of now

[@johnodonnell9306]

Again a refereeing decision spoiling the match,but between 2002/03 England best team on the planet for sure.

[@OneBigRetard]

It was just one foul after another. Someone had to go.

[@freddiemiller8570]

Wassup, First Rate Work. phobic sassy

[@peteharry351]

If Dawson does indeed have dementia, then he should sue Krige and not the RFU

[@Eddiestephenslpr]

No shit. That would have been a team from the future. Not really a fair comparison.

[@yster7]

22:07 Krige on dawson - holy shit!!!!!!!!!

[@TahuGD]

Camera is making me feel sea sick, what's up with it??

[@christeebs]

looks like someone threw it through some stabilizing software

[@budwhite1]

But the Welsh have never given you a World Record Beating though..... South Africa likes teams that it beats. You beat England in the summer of 2012, but only just and England will square up the books again, as we did between 99 and 2006...

[@John-pl8fe]

2007 and 2019 wc finals. What happened? We dominated you!! Keep watching your 2003 WC DVD.

[@supersquats]

The worst Springbok side in history. The southern hemishpere teams all round werent that good from 2000-2003/4

[@Talbot6832]

+dildo baggins Nope... they were pretty much the same they've always been but England were superior for a couple of years because the planets aligned, etc.

[@somanytakennames]

Apart from Aus, who made it to the final in 2003...

[@karlosdeevs]

@@somanytakennames Nz were good too, for most of the time outside that semi v Aus

[@TennisCoachno1]

23.37 HAHAHA! EPIC SIT DOWN SON! :D

[@plutoniumnitrate1201]

that was never a red card considering the standards we set today...that ref decision was a joke

[@MeanGreenMother123]

19:27 funniest moment in Rugby :P

[@darthmong7196]

I think even Paddy O'Brien was chuckling at that.

[@homeone4054]

15.24 Stuart Barnes looks at the tackle prior to the penalty. He always disliked Jason Robinson, never had any time for rugby league or its qualities.

[@gregtaylor6146]

Wow, an ENGLISH rugby team full of ENGLISH players ............ who'd have 'thunk' it??

[@John-pl8fe]

Exactly, now all the home nations rely on SH players. Shows how they lack talent. Scotland is basically a South African team these days.

[@peteharry351]

What is really funny is watching the truly pathetic ref asking Krige to calm his players down.

[@oatesy99]

bit late mate ? :P