MICHAEL VLISMAS, Potchefstroom | Wednesday 9.00am.
ENGLAND set the tone for their South African tour with a comfortable 52-22 victory over the North West Leopards at Olien Park on Tuesday.
The tourists’ midweek team played the expansive rugby they promised and scored seven tries in their opening match, with England captain Ben Clarke and winger Dan Luger each collecting two.
England quickly adapted to the hard playing surface, scoring the first try in the 14th minute when centre Leon Lloyd scythed through the Leopards’ defence.
Clarke and Luger then made their contributions before inside centre Ben Johnston rounded off the half with a try on the back of a well-worked scissor move for a 27-13 lead.
The spirited opposition the Leopards offered in the first half was absent in the second as England’s free-flowing game opened up holes in the home team’s defence for a further three tries to slip through.
England hooker Phil Greening proved his match fitness in his 31 minutes on the field, boosting his chances for a possible inclusion in the Test side.
England play the first test against the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday. — Reuters