ENGLAND suffered a secondhalf mauling at Loftus Versfeld after their dreams of a shock victory were smashed 55-22 by the ruthless Springboks. Wing Dan Scarborough's interception try, converted by skipper Jonny Wilkinson, gave an under-strength England a shock 19-17 interval lead. But then their world caved in as South Africa cut loose after the break.

Wilkinson finished with 17 points but South Africa contributed eight tries to Bryan Habana (2), Pierre Spies (2), Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha and Percy Montgomery, who also booted five conversions and a penalty for an 18-point haul, while out-half Butch James kicked the final conversion. England's loss came a week after they suffered a record 58-10 defeat in Bloemfontein.

It was a nervy opening by the tourists, who could make little headway through a wellorganised South African defence, and only Wilkinson's left boot kept England out of their own 22. But the game's first scrum ended in a penalty for the visitors that Wilkinson arrowed between the posts, making it 3-3 after nine minutes. There appeared to be more cohesion and organisation about England than in Bloemfontein last Saturday, yet South Africa exerted more pressure when Jamie Noon dropped a clearance kick into touch. Possession turnover that blighted England in the first test was not so apparent a week later, although their handling left a lot to be desired, with full-back Mike Brown guilty of a handling error that allowed South Africa an attacking scrum.

England had a chance to go ahead on 18 minutes but although Wilkinson scuffed a 48-metre penalty the visitors could take considerable comfort from a promising opening quarter when they gave as good as they got.

But that impressive work was undone in the 23rd minute by an opportunist Springbok try. Scrum-half Ricky Januarie kicked deep into England's 22 and when the ball bounced wickedly over Noon's head Januarie gathered to touch down. Montgomery converted taking South Africa 10-3 clear.

Wilkinson slotted a second penalty after Scarborough and England continued to show composure, thwarting South African attempts at swinging possession wide.

Akona Ndungane was a threat on the right wing though and only Brown's despairing tackle prevented a try. But, from the ensuing scrum, England's defence was breached and lock Victor Matfield drove over flanker Schalk Burger for South Africa's second touchdown, again converted by Montgomery.

As in Bloemfontein England were punished in ruthless fashion after a promising start but Wilkinson at least completed his penalty hat-trick.

Then England struck another blow. Number eight Spies threw out a sloppy pass that was intercepted by Scarborough who sprinted clear to score. Wilkinson's conversion, incredibly, meant England led 19-17 at half-time.

South Africa could scarcely believe England's impudence, and they must have received a vociferous half-time lecture from Jake White. And it looked to have worked when they claimed a try within four minutes of the restart. England's defence was stretched in all directions, before lock Bakkies Botha crashed over unmarked on the right wing.

Montgomery failed to land the difficult touchline conversion, yet England were behind again, trailing 22-19.

Burger was then warned by referee Joel Jutge for a shoulder charge on Skirving . . . he was fortunate to escape a yellow card . . . and Wilkinson kicked his fifth penalty, levelling the game.

The Springboks were in no mood to be on the receiving end of a shock defeat though, and Spies atoned for his earlier error by rampaging through the attempted tackles of Andy Gomarsall, Wilkinson, Noon and Lund to edge South Africa back in front. Montgomery again converted, and before England could recover, Skirving's pass was intercepted by Habana, who sprinted 80 metres to score, with Montgomery converting and putting South Africa out of sight at 36-22 ahead.

The tourists were forced into a prolonged rearguard action but South Africa had every intention of increasing their tally. With 15 minutes remaining, Montgomery scored South Africa's sixth try slicing through weary England cover. His conversion made it 43-22, giving the fullback 18 points and leaving England desperately counting down the clock. Habana conjured a brilliant solo try that left England's defence floundering and put South Africa to within sight of a half century.

Spies duly brought up the 50 points with South Africa's eighth try.

SOUTH AFRICA P Montgomery; A Ndungane, W Olivier, J de Villiers, B Habana; B James, R Januarie; G Steenkamp, J Smit, C J van der Linde, B Botha, V Mat"eld, S Burger, J Smith, P Spies ENGLAND M Brown; J Noon, M Tait, T Flood, D Scarbrough; J Wilkinson, A Gomarsal; K Yates, M Regan, M Stevens, R Winters, A Brown, N Easter, M Lund, B Skirving Referee J Jutge (France)