South Africa gave a winning start to new coach Heyneke Meyer with a 22-17 victory over England in the first rugby test in Durban last night.
The Springboks turned in a dominant second-half performance with first five eighth Morne Steyn and new captain Jean De Villiers crossing for tries after Steyn and his opposite Owen Farrell had traded penalties to send the teams into the break locked at 6-6.
South Africa took control of the match after the resumption and, while winger Ben Foden scored a consolation try for England with time up on the clock, the final result was never in doubt.
The victory was South Africa's eighth successive over England and gave the hosts a 1-nil lead in the three-test series.
The second test is scheduled for Johannesburg next weekend.
