RWC'99: South Africa too strong for England
Sunday, 24 October 1999 20:21
England were sent crashing out of the World Cup by champions South Africa after an astonishing kicking exhibition from Springboks fly-half Jannie De Beer.
De Beer dropped a world record five goals - all in the second-half - and claimed a new South African points record of 34 in one Test. Springboks' skipper Joost Van Der Westhuizen and wing Pieter Rossouw scored tries towards the end of each half, while England could only reply through seven penalties, six from Paul Grayson and one by second-half substitute Jonny Wilkinson.
England trailed by just four points early in the second-half as they looked to secure a Twickenham semi-final appointment with Australia next Saturday, but De Beer put the boot into them in remarkable fashion. Each time the ball split the posts it was like driving a stake through England's heart. In the end, the scoreline possibly flattered South Africa, but there was no doubting their supremacy overall and England will have to wait another four years in their bid for global supremacy.
