England crushed by rampant Boks

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The Webb Ellis Trophy holders were swept aside as South Africa took charge through first-half tries from flanker Juan Smith and wing J P Pietersen.

Pietersen added his second try after the break, while full-back Percy Montgomery added 18 points from the boot and centre Francois Steyn also landed a penalty.

In World Cup terms, it eclipsed England's previous record loss - 44-21 against South Africa - in the same stadium eight years ago.

It means England must beat Samoa in Nantes next Saturday to have any realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals, where Australia will probably await them.

England's defeat was the first time they had failed to trouble the scorers in a Test match since 1998, when they lost 18-0 against South Africa in Cape Town.

No Rugby World Cup holder has ever gone out in the pool stage, yet that is the ignominy England now face unless they can drastically get their act together.

South Africa though, have no such problems, and they appear well on course to contest the tournament's business end alongside New Zealand and Australia.

England's road since they won the 2003 World Cup has been a rocky one, and there was a sense of inevitability about the way South Africa ruthessly took them apart.

England are no longer at the top table of world rugby, and the psychological scars of this crushing defeat will surely take a long time to heal.