Eddie Jones Eben Etzebeth Damian Willemse South Africa Japan New Zealand Sport Rugby England win as Eddie Jones Eben Etzebeth Damian Willemse South Africa Japan New Zealand

England booed off as South Africa ease to win

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England collapsed to their first defeat by South Africa at Twickenham for eight years as an autumn of crushing disappointment concluded with a 27-13 rout.Eddie Jones' men delivered the worst performance of a campaign consisting of a solitary victory over Japan as the 14-man Springboks, inspired by half-backs Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse, dominated the rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.By the end of the first half, England had spent only six seconds in the opposition 22 with their backline reduced to virtual bystanders by a vast error count and the familiar disciplinary issues.The most brainless moment arrived shortly after the break when Jonny Hill flung De Klerk out of a ruck, prompting referee Angus Gardner to reverse a penalty, and seconds later Eben Etzebeth was over to extend the lead to 24-6.Unlike their mesmerising comeback against New Zealand a week earlier, there were no late heroics this time even after replacement prop Thomas du Toit had been sent off in the 60th minute for a dangerous challenge on Luke Cowan-Dickie.FULL MATCH DETAILSHenry Slade dashed over in the 72nd minute - the same stage at which the 25-25 draw with the All Blacks was made possible - but pedestrian England had rarely threatened amid a lack of ideas or tempo in attack.In contrast, the Springboks lit up Twickenham on an otherwise drab evening by running in a sensational try through Kurt-Lee Roux that was born out of Willemse's brilliance.Signalling their discontent, the home fans booed when the final whistle sounded.Unfortunately for South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, he was not present to witness a comprehensive victory as he completed a two-match ban for criticising referees during the Autumn Nations Series.The half-time

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Steve Borthwick insists his focus is on Leicester's opening European game this weekend and not on speculation linking him to becoming England's new head coach. Tigers director of rugby Borthwick is the favourite to succeed Eddie Jones, who was sacked on Tuesday after overseeing England's worst year of results since 2008. "We play Ospreys on Sunday night and that's what I'm focused upon," Borthwick said at his pre-match press conference for Leicester's Heineken Champions Cup opener. "That's what my team is focused upon and that's what we've been focused upon all week. "Within Leicester Tigers and this team here, there is no talk here of anything other than the game on Sunday night." Borthwick - who pledged he would be in the Leicester dugout for their second Champions Cup game against Clermont Auvergne on December 17 - added: "I don't think anyone can possibly doubt how committed I have been since the minute I walked through this door to give the best I can for this team. "That is my intention again this week to get the performance we want. "All these things that go on around a team, your job is always to be focused on what you need to do. "Since I've come in here my focus is on what we need to get better today. "We have frameworks in place to make sure how we think about how we train, how we prepare, and we will continue to do that this week."
Eddie Jones has been sacked as England head coach after presiding over their worst year since 2008.
Eddie Jones was dismissed as England head coach on Monday, the RFU confirmed.
Eddie Jones looks set to discover in the next 48 hours whether he will continue as England head coach, amid reports he will be sacked after presiding over the national team’s worst year since 2008.
England head coach Eddie Jones could find out within the next 48 hours if he still has a job following a Rugby Football Union (RFU) review into the team's woeful Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Ireland rugby great Ronan O'Gara ruled himself out Friday of the running to replace under-pressure England coach Eddie Jones.

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