England selected two uncapped players to make their debut in the starting line-up: flanker Tom Johnson and prop Joe Marler. Uncapped back Jonathan Joseph was named on the bench. [18]
First half
There was heavy rain in Durban which eased before kick-off, as well as a blustery wind. [19] As expected, both sides went in hard early. England looked composed enough, managing to repel a Springbok line-out from inside their 22 after they failed to handle Morné Steyn's kick-off. But a box kick from Youngs carried too far and ended up in the hands of speedy wing Habana, who slipped several tackles before being finally brought down on halfway. [20] That moment aside, England's determination paid off when, six minutes in, the debutant Etzebeth was penalised for not rolling away after the tackle. Farrell converted the 40-metre penalty goal to open the scoring, 3 – 0. The home side finally came to life ten minutes into the match, and with 14 minutes gone on the clock, Morné Steyn levelled the scores from point-blank range 3 – 3 when England was penalised for being offside after some strong running by Sharks flanker Alberts. [21] [22] England continued to resist attack after attack from the Springboks, especially when, at the 20-minute mark, Hougaard found space in attack and passed to Spies, who was tackled by Tuilagi just inches short of the tryline.
Finally, in a rare foray forward, Johnson, who impressed many observers on debut with his work rate, drew the defence before he passed to the number eight Morgan, who powered his way through South Africa's defence. [23] Coetzee interfered illegally for the Springboks, and Farrell converted the subsequent penalty to regain the lead for England 6 – 3 at the 27-minute mark of the match. [19] South Africa replied swiftly after England was again penalised for being offside. Steyn converted the penalty to again level the scores 6 – 6. [19] [23]
Habana then injured himself when he chased a high kick from Morne Steyn and collided with England fullback Brown. A big chance for England went begging when Youngs found Ashton in midfield, who sidestepped Kirchner and took the ball up 30 metres only to spill it as he was brought down from behind by Hougaard. [24] A series of deep kicks ensued as both sides tried to establish territory. In the final minute of the half, Johnson was penalised for using his hands in a scrum, but Steyn's penalty attempt drifted wide to leave the teams even at 6 – 6 at half time. [23]
Second half
The Springboks made two changes to their team during the break. Habana came back on and Lambie replaced Kirchner, who was suffering from a knee problem serious enough to rule him out of the next test. [13] England made no changes. England made a promising start after Youngs found a gap in the Springbok defence. [23] But South Africa struck the first blow when Morné Steyn dotted down in the right corner in the 47th minute after he had been involved in the attacking build-up that featured a storming run by Jannie du Plessis. [24] Steyn's conversion attempt was just wide, so the score remained 11 – 6.
The Springboks wasted a chance to score again several minutes later. After they were awarded a penalty deep in England's 22, Hougaard chose to tap and go instead of letting M. Steyn take the kick for a penalty goal. The English then managed to turn the ball over. [19] Flood was brought on to replace Barritt, who sustained an eye injury. There was a minor flare-up on the touchline between De Villiers and Farrell, but that was quickly sorted out by the officials. [23] [24]
Hougaard was replaced by Pienaar. Habana showed he was suffering no ill-effects from his first half injury, twice nearly getting through England's defence. The Springboks finally broke through again when they so severely disrupted an England scrum that Youngs was forced to clear under pressure. Habana caught the ball and ran it straight back. [23] From the resultant ruck, the Springboks quickly spread the ball wide for captain De Villiers to cut inside and touch down in the right corner, making the score 16 – 6. But again, Steyn missed the conversion attempt, this time spraying it across the posts.
Lancaster replaced Morgan with Dowson, and England's reply was almost immediate. The Springboks misjudged the kick-off, which allowed Foden to intercept the ball and race towards the tryline. Again, the Springboks managed to scramble and again, Habana hurt himself, this time colliding with Frans Steyn. [19] [23] Referee Walsh penalised the Springboks for offside and Farrell slotted the penalty to take the score to 16 – 9.
But England was not finished yet. Barely two minutes later, England captain Robshaw managed to isolate Pietersen in a ruck and win a penalty for his team. Farrell duly converted and suddenly, with the score 16 – 12 with less than 15 minutes to go, the game was again up for grabs. [23]
Strauss came on for Bismarck du Plessis at hooker, and had an immediate impact. The Springboks seized back the momentum and swept forward, with Strauss, Pienaar and Coetzee prominent. Tuilagi was penalised for offside and Steyn, after three consecutive misses, nailed the penalty to restore the seven-point gap. The score was now 19 – 12 with ten minutes remaining. [19] [23]
Both sides made changes: for England, Dickson came on for Youngs; for South Africa, Daniel replaced Coetzee. England tried to create chances, most notably when Tuilagi again bumped De Villiers off whilst going forward. But there was no support and he was penalised for continuing to play the ball after being brought to ground. [24]
The killer blow for England came when they had a scrum feed in their half at the 75-minute mark. The Springbok forwards timed their shove perfectly, causing England to buckle under pressure and thus earning a scrum feed. On the resultant scrum, Doran-Jones, who was just brought on for Marler, was penalised for collapsing the scrum. [23] Steyn converted the penalty to put the game, with the score 22 – 12 and only two minutes remaining, virtually out of England's reach.
Nevertheless, England continued to fight. Joseph was brought on for Brown and, despite the limited game time, was involved in the movement which led to the try that England needed when Foden scored in the corner. However, it was too little too late. Farrell's attempted conversion after the hooter sailed wide. [19] [24] So the final score was 22 – 17. The Springboks had drawn first blood and led the series one-nil.
South Africa 
