Eddie Jones had urged his players to begin the march to the World Cup at Ellis Park on Saturday night but despite a blitzkrieg opening, it was South Africa who appeared to lay down more convincing foundations for Japan next year as England crashed to a fourth successive Test defeat.
Still, the craziness of it all made for a fantastic occasion and spectacle, with both sides sharing five tries apiece on the night when South African rugby celebrated the historic moment when the Springboks were captained for the first time in a Test by a black player, Siya Kolisi, at their spiritual home.
Yet for all that England did so well in an opening quarter that yielded 24 points including tries by Mike Brown, Elliot Daly and Owen Farrell, the contest finished once again with more questions than answers for Jones, who side were completely overwhelmed for much of the remainder of the contest before late tries by Maro Itoje and Jonny May brought them back to within a score.
The late flourish however could not mask the sense that England been unable to resist the intensity and power of the hugely inexperienced Springbok side under new head coach Rassie Erasmus who scored five tries of their own including a brace for debutant winger S’busiso Nkosi and one for Aphiwe Dyantyi on his first cap.
The defeat marks England’s worst run since 2014 when they lost five Tests in a row under Stuart Lancaster, four of which were against the All Blacks.
Indiscipline, just as it had been in the Six Nations, returned to haunt England, gifting a lifeline to South Africa with a succession of penalties when they game should have been in their control after they raced to a 24-3 lead after just 20 minutes.
There was also a yellow card for Mako Vunipola for a late hit on Faf de Klerk at a critical moment in the second half that allowed the Springboks to pull away with a try by Dyantyi.
Brad Shields, the New Zealand-born flanker, had a tough induction to his England career, with Jones bringing him on just as the opposition comeback was in full flow after Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe had been withdrawn from tactical reasons after 36 minutes. Shields however could do little to halt the Springboks’ irresistible charge.
De Klerk, the Sale Sharks scrum-half, had a superb game, bristling with energy and intent while Willie Le Roux, the Wasps full-back, brought a touch of class to the home side’s attacking game, his vision and precision bringing the best of his wingers.
RG Snyman, with his blond locks flowing, also had a monumental game, outshining the England second rows with a ferocious carrying game.
One was also left to wonder about the decision by England to spend the week training at sea level in Durban as their inability to cope with the Springbok revival coincided with the period in the game that players generally experience the draining effects of playing at altitude.
Ellis Park is over a mile above sea level, and there is no doubt that England’s intensity dropped after they had opened the game with some brilliant attacking rugby, spearheaded by George Ford. By half-time their lead had already evaporated after tries by de Klerk, Nkosi (2) and Le Roux.
South Africa’s possession continued in an unrelenting fashion after the break, with two more penalties by Handre Pollard to add to his first-half kick eventually providing critical to keep Jones’ players at bay after their late, late rally.
Ironically it was England who first took full advantage of the thin air, with Daly bisecting the uprights from 61 metres with a monstrous penalty.
Moments later May was sent flying up the right-hand touchline, taking England into the Springbok 22. Pin-point passing by Ford and Farrell carved out half an opening for Brown and the newly-converted winger powered his way through two tackles to score the opening try.
Without five minutes on the clock, England were 10 points to the good. The South African players looked as stunned as their supporters.
A Pollard penalty after some frenetic attacking by the Springboks did not stop England. With Mako and Billy Vunipola running hard direct lines, Ford had the front-foot ball to attack space and another sharply-executed move started by the fly-half with a popped pass to May allowed Daly to glide over for the second try.
South Africa had barely had chance to regroup when Ford had sliced them open again, this time putting May into space and from his inside ball Farrell was clear and England had a third try. His accurate conversion completed a remarkable burst of 24 points in the first quarter.
There had to be a response from the Springboks if this was to remain a contest but few could have predicted just how overwhelming it would be as the atmosphere became as hostile as England have experienced under Jones.
First de Klerk darting over from close range for a try, then their increasing possession brought Nkosi into the game and the debutant winger seized the moment in style, with two tries in quick succession bringing the game to life again.
First when Daly failed to ground Nkosi’s chip to the England goal-line, the Springbok pounced for his first try to bring the crowd to their feet, then moments later showed a predator’s instinct by coming off his wing to finish on the left-hand side after Le Roux and Aphiwe Dyantyi had opened up England’s defence.
South Africa then snatched the lead when this time Le Roux finished a long pass from Pollard.
Farrell’s penalty at least gave the visitors a moment of respite but the second half began with South Africa again regaining command.
Pollard extended the lead with another penalty and saw another effort rebound off the post but the traffic remained one way and the contest looked over when after Vunipola was sent to the sin bin, Dyantyi celebrated his first cap with a try as England’s defensive numbers again ran out under pressure.
And yet, just as England looked dead and buried, this crazy game turned again with forward power play culminating in a try by Itoje. Just having been outplayed for the best part of 50 minutes, England were still in with a chance of winning.
They turned to a pick-and-go game but, despite making some headway, another breakdown penalty handed another shot at goal for Pollard and his 50-metre kick looked decisive. There was still time for May to race over for a thrilling try but the Springboks were able to close out the victory.
74 mins - South Africa 39-32 England
Taken well by Snyman at the front. Magnificent debut from the Bull. Hughes and Billy carry well, but then England knock on. SA can counter.
Amazing passes by Pollard and Nkosi, who's hunting a hat-trick.
Quality turnover by Brown saves England! That was desperate. Time running out though for a comeback.
TRY ITOJE! South Africa 39-32 England
England trying to maul their way to the line. Stopped short five out. Cowan-Dickie with a good run. Van der Merwe offside, advantage England. Robshaw just short, then Ford stopped one-on-one.
Itoje over! He stretches over the top of the ruck to score. Farrell pulls his conversion to the left.
TRY NKOSI! CONVERSION POLLARD! South Africa 22-24 England
He's got a double! Wonderful move by the Boks who are well on top. England's big lead demolished.
Space out on the left, and then Dyantyi flicks it back over the top to Nkosi on his inside. The two new wings impressing in attack.
Pollard finds his range again, cutting England's lead to just two. De Klerk's passing game and sniping runs really hurting England.
TRY NKOSI! South Africa 13-24 England
Better from the Boks, building phases in England's half. Overlap out wide, Daly stops Nkosi. Turned over! Youngs with a low box kick taken by Pollard. Long passage that will test England's fitness.
Nkosi grubber, Daly has it covered... no he missed it! Nkosi dots down to score on debut!
TRY DE KLERK! South Africa 8-24 England
Something for SA, a penalty at the ruck. Kicked to touch in England's 22. Thundering carry by Nkosi down the right wing, and De Klerk snipes over! Itoje tried to go for the ball, lost his footing, and De Klerk ducked under to score. Pollard misses the conversion to the left.
A momentous day for South African rugby
Siya Kolisi today becomes the first black player to lead the Springboks in a Test match. His rise has been quite remarkable, as Mick Cleary explores here.
Here's Kolisi with his wife Rachel and their two children.
Mike Brown's role on the left wing
Confused by this selection? The esteemed Charlie Morgan has broken down why Eddie Jones has picked one of his vice-captains out wide.
Impact from Shields, accurate kicks and sharp hands upfront
Here are Will Greenwood's 10 things that he wants to see from England over the three Tests.
As the Six Nations went down the Suwannee, I was increasingly aware that while the England pack was huge, there were only two top class international ball handling rugby forwards: Mako Vunipola and George Kruis.
The imposing Ellis Park
Gavin Mairs here on South Africa's toughest ground.
Originally built in 1928, the stands rise up steeply, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. France are the last northern hemisphere side to win there, back in 2001.
Not the best day already for one Englishman
Luke Pearce took charge of New Zealand's win over France this morning, but there was one major talking point.
Welcome
Afternoon all. Not sure how much you believe in omens but so far on Saturday it's 3-0 to the non-Six Nations sides after wins for Japan, New Zealand and Australia over Italy, France and Ireland.
Perhaps can England can buck that trend. There has been no English win on South African soil going all the way back to 2000.
I spoke to Leon Lloyd this week, who came off the bench to win his second cap in that Test, and here's what he had to say about the occasion:
“South Africa away is one of the toughest places I have ever toured. Those who have not been down there before will certainly know about it afterwards,” Lloyd said.
“The recent results might not show it, but England should head down there with confidence. I hadn’t realised in 2000 that we had not won there for some time, so they should not go down there thinking that.
“England will be underdogs, but you want to be in that role going down to places like that because then all the pressure is on South Africa. Despite those defeats, this is a chance to put things right. It’s a good time to tour there.”
Turning attention to the teams, there are no new caps for England in their starting XV but one on the bench in Brad Shields, the Hurricanes captain who joins Wasps next season.
South Africa meanwhile have three: wings S’busiso Nkosi, Aphiwe Dyantyi (the latter is rapid by the way) along with lock RG Snyman.
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Sibusiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Jean-Luc du Preez, Siya Kolisi (capt); Franco Mostert, RG Snyman; Trevor Nyakane/Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Steven Kitshoff, Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ivan van Zyl, Elton Jantjies, Warrick Gelant
England: Elliot Daly; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Mike Brown; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Chris Robshaw, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Brad Shields, Nathan Hughes, Ben Spencer, Piers Francis, Denny Solomona