By Harry Hawkins

Dan Cole in action (Getty)

A relentless second half attack proved the difference between South Africa and England at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. A try apiece from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers in the third quarter gave Chris Robshaw’s England side too much to do and a promising final period was not enough to deny the Springboks victory.

It was England who started the brighter team, a strong carry from Dan Cole in the 6th minute ultimately winning a penalty which Owen Farrell coolly converted. Minutes later Robshaw won a promising turnover in South African territory, but Farrell’s grubber kick came to nothing.

South Africa responded by creating a few chances of their own, but England defended courageously. In the 13th minute a magnificent catch by fullback-cum-wing Ben Foden denied JP Pietersen a try after a clever Morne Steyn cross-field kick. Eight minutes later it was Manu Tuilagi’s turn to prevent a score with an outstanding tackle on Pierre Spies following a break by Francois Hougaard.

Farrell and Steyn traded further penalties but it was England who were increasingly threatening, most notably through breaks by Ben Morgan and Chris Ashton. Steyn, however, pushed the final penalty of the half wide after an infringement by England, leaving the half-time score at 6-6.

The beginning of the second period saw South Africa display all of their spectacular physicality and there was a sense of building inevitability as the likes of Willem Alberts and Marcell Coetzee ran time after time at the English defence.

The first try was created by a searing break up the left flank by De Villiers. Ashton scrambled back to make the tackle but England could not weather the storm; Jannie du Plessis barged through England’s midfield and the ball was recycled to the right. It was Morne Steyn who eventually dived over the England line.

He missed the conversion and the score remained 11-6 but the relentless Springbok attack continued. England defended admirably, with Johnson, Botha and Barritt to the fore and it was to their credit that England held the hosts out with another twelve minutes of uninterrupted tackling.

The second try came eventually though, and was crafted when Bryan Habana counter-attacked after a loose box kick by Youngs. Play was stretched across the field and some precise handling gave De Villiers the chance to hurdle Mike Brown and defy the last-ditch intervention of Ben Foden. South Africa led 16-6 as Steyn missed another conversion.

In the last quarter England did recover some attacking shape, with Foden gathering the restart immediately after De Villiers’ try and play culminating in a penalty for Owen Farrell. A comeback looked possible as marvellous breakdown work by Robshaw won a further three points for England and drew his side within four points at 16-12.

It was in vain though - two late Steyn penalties sealed the result for South Africa. England showed spirit by scoring a fine late try of their own through Foden after breaks by replacement Jonathan Joseph and lock Geoff Parling. A consummate floated pass by Farrell gave the left wing just enough room to dive over for the consolation effort, which took the final score to 22-17.

Springbok victory gives them the lead in the three-match series, and the possibility of a series win next weekend in Johannesburg. England can take heart from their performance, but have a few selection issues to consider, most notably in midfield, where the late introduction of Toby Flood gave them noticeably sharper attack. South Africa, meanwhile can celebrate an impressive, bruising opening victory under new coach Heyneke Meyer.

Follow Harry on Twitter @Hawkins_Rugby