First-half tries by flanker Juan Smith and wing J P Pietersen put Pool A favourites South Africa firmly in the driving seat.

Full-back Percy Montgomery added a penalty and two conversions, while centre Francois Steyn slotted a long-range penalty to leave England reeling.

The world champions were outclassed in all aspects, and faced a second period with damage limitation topping their agenda.

Farrell's left boot swung the game into action, but South Africa made the early in-roads and took just six minutes to ease in front.

Wing JP Pietersen evaded England scrum-half Shaun Perry’s tackle, and although support runner Fourie du Preez was ankle-tapped by Robinson, flanker Juan Smith supported superbly to claim a quality try.

Full-back Percy Montgomery, who equalled Joost van der Westhuizen’s South Africa cap record of 89, slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead, sounding immediate alarm bells.

England appeared off the pace, and Steyn compounded their woes by booting a 45-metre penalty after 10 minutes that left England already facing a mountain of Himalayan proportions.

It was a nightmare start for the world champions, whose worst fears had already been confirmed by a Springboks side hell-bent on smashing them beyond repair.

England’s first scoring chance came when Catt rifled a 14th minute drop-goal attempt wide, and there was already a sense of desperation in the ranks.

The Springboks’ tempo shunted England on to the back foot, and there appeared little Corry and company could do about it.

As against the USA in Lens last Saturday, England had created little, lacking imagnination that meant South Africa were simply able to pick up the pieces and continue dominating.

England, to their credit, settled admirably after such a dismal start, but they should have fallen further behind on 22 minutes.

Springboks centre Jaque Fourie chased a speculative kick deep into England territory, but his selfishness cost South Africa a try.

Fourie tried to go it alone, despite having try machine Bryan Habana unmarked outside him, and his knock-on in sight of the line allowed England a reprieve.

It already looked like a finger in the dam exercise for England though, despite a brilliant Robinson break that lifted spirits among a sizeable contingent of travelling support.

England’s kicking game proved way below par as they lost ground to South Africa’s prodigious touchfinders, and most of the opening period was spent inside the red rose half.

But despite dominating territorially, South Africa could not expand on their 10-point advantage, thwarted by spirited English defence and their own lack of composure in attack.

Montgomery though, slotted an angled penalty four minutes before the break, hoisting South Africa 13-0 ahead.

And worse was to come for England when Springboks scrum-half Fourie du Preez blasted through their defence to set up a try for wing J P Pietersen that Montgomery improved.