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The England rugby team is one of the most accomplished sides in the northern hemisphere. The team has a storied history on the international stage, which began with the first ever rugby test in 1871. Today, England hosts their home matches at Twickenham, one of the world’s greatest rugby venues.

The England national rugby union team competes in the annual Six Nations Championship, where they have won more titles and Grand Slams than any other team. The team is also a dominant force at the Rugby World Cup.

Their crowning moment came in 2003, when they became the first team from the northern hemisphere to claim the Webb Ellis Cup. In the same year, the World Rugby Rankings were launched and England immediately took the top spot.

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South Africa Versus the England National Rugby Union Team

The England rugby team is one of South Africa’s oldest adversaries. The two nations have competed against each other since 1906, when they drew 3-3 at Crystal Palace. Their next five meetings took place at Twickenham, where England endured a disappointing losing streak; they finally beat the Springboks for the first time in 1969.

Since then, South Africa has consistently outperformed England. The exception was 2000 to 2006, when the England rugby team won seven consecutive tests. This was repaid in kind; South Africa won nine tests in a row between 2006 and 2012.

Additionally, the two teams have contested six matches at the Rugby World Cup. The Springboks have won five, including the final in 2007 and 2019, as well as the semi-final in 2023. Meanwhile, England won the pool-stage meeting between the two sides in 2003.  

Want to keep track of England’s rankings, performances and squad updates? Save this page for the latest England rugby team news.