England v South Africa, Twickenham, November 27
England out to end losing run
ESPNscrum Staff
November 23, 2010
South Africa's Captain John Smit (R) and South Africa's prop Jannie Du Plessis (L) react as their team score the final try against England during the match, at Twickenham, west of London, on November 22, 2008
John Smit celebrates victory over England in 2008 © Getty Images
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England take on South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday for only the second time since the Springboks saw off the challenge of Brian Ashton's side to lift the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

The last meeting between the countries came at Twickenham in 2008, where South Africa emphatically answered their critics with a resounding 42-6 victory.

The Springboks are currently in need of a similar pick-me-up after last weekend's loss to Scotland and would do well to avoid remembering what happened at Twickenham back in 2002, eight years ago this week, when a side fresh from defeat at Murrayfield was mauled 53-3.

The Boks scraped past Ireland and Wales in the first two games of a Grand Slam tour attempt, with defeat to Andy Robinson's men ensuring that Avril Malan's 1960-61 tourists remain the last to complete a clean-sweep.

England v South Africa all-time record: Played 31, England won 12, South Africa won 18, drawn one.

Biggest winning margin: Eng: 50 points, 53-3 at Twickenham, 2002; SA: 48 points, 58-10 at Free State Stadium, 2007

Highest score: Eng: 53 points, 53-3 at Twickenham, 2002; SA: 58 points, 58-10 at Free State Stadium, 2007

Most tries: Eng: Seven, 53-3 at Twickenham, 2002; SA: Eight, 55-22 at Loftus Versfeld, 2007

Longest winning sequence: Eng: Seven (2000-2006) SA: Six (2006-present)

Most points (individual): Eng: Jonny Wilkinson 127; SA: Percy Montgomery 99

Most tries (individual): Eng: Four, Will Greenwood; SA: Six, Bryan Habana

Most points in a Test: Eng: 27, Rob Andrew at Loftus Versfeld, 1994; SA: 34, Jannie de Beer at Stade de France, 1999

  • Click here for England's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for South Africa's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for a record of all England v South Africa matches courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for a record of all of England's home matches against South Africa courtesy of Statsguru

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