South Africa 36 England 0

South Africa humiliated world champions England today with a World Cup record 36-0 defeat to avenge their 2003 World Cup loss to the English.

Two tries to J.P. Pietersen, one from Juan Smith and 18 points from Percy Montgomery handed England their first World Cup defeat since the Springboks beat them at the Stade de France in the 1999 World Cup quarter-finals.

The Springboks gained the early advantage with a stunning try.

Pietersen made a break down the right wing and offloaded to outstanding scrum-half Fourie du Preez, who looked certain to score but for an ankle tap by Jason Robinson, which made him stumble.

However, the Bulls scrum-half had the presence of mind to look inside and find Smith, who had an open field to run in and touch down - Montgomery, equalling Joost van der Westhuizen's national caps record of 89, converted to make it 7-0 after just six minutes.

South Africa extended their lead to 10-0 a few minutes later as England conceded a penalty and the impressive young centre Francois Steyn landed it from long range, lifting coach Jake White out of his seat.

The Boks all but grabbed their second try in the 21st minute when du Preez's inspired kick into England's 22 saw Jaque Fourie grab the ball but Robinson's last ditch tackle stopped him just short of the line. Fourie's momentum carried him forward but he lost control of the ball.

While the South Africans were dominating they were not getting that vital third score, Steyn going closest with a drop goal effort that hit the post.

They finally extended it to 13-0 when the ice cool Montgomery landed a penalty in the 36th minute after England's South African-born prop Matt Stevens seemed to forget which side he was on and gave away a needless penalty for obstruction.

The match looked done and dusted in the 38th minute when England lost the ball and the magnificent du Preez picked up a loose pass from a team-mate, made the break and selflessly unloaded to Pietersen who strode over the line. Montgomery converted to give them a 20-0 advantage.

England must have known their time was up as one of the bands in the crowd struck up Those were the days my friends at the start of the second-half.

Montgomery's unerring boot quickly added another penalty to make it 23-0 and then another to make it 26-0 shortly before the hour mark.

And, as if to symbolise England's appalling night, Robinson - England's best player - pulled up in the 58th minute clutching his left hamstring when they looked likely to score a try.

Instead it was Pietersen who grabbed his second try in the 64th minute, once again set up by du Preez, which Montgomery converted to make it 33-0.

Montgomery added another penalty before full-time to leave England, like Robinson, to limp off the pitch.

SOUTH AFRICA 36 (J.P. Pietersen 2 Juan Smith tries, Percy Montgomery 4 pens 3 cons, Francois Steyn pen) bt ENGLAND 0 at the Stade de France, Paris. Referee: Joel Jutge (FRA).

AFP