ContinueOne weekend gone and three defeats for the Northern Hemisphere teams down under, although the Scots will point to their 9-6 win over Australia last week in the storm of Newcastle in New South Wales.
Nevertheless the real business got underway on Saturday and I was at King's Park, Durban, to witness a brave effort from Stuart Lancaster's young England before they fell 22-17 to a rusty South Africa, with a scoreline that, courtesy of Ben Foden's post hooter try, flattered the visitors.
For much of the game England held firm in all departments, but it was in the third quarter when the Springboks became rampant and all England could do was defend, sometimes desperately.
With no attacking play the dam was always going to burst and when Morne Steyn and captain Jean de Villiers both scored the outcome was inevitable. Owen Farrell's consistently high standard of place kicking kept England in the game, but only on the scoreboard, but the real concern is how England failed to direct enough attacking play, even though Foden and Chris Ashton looked dangerous when given a chance to run. Brad Barrit's eye injury, and Mike Brown's thumb injury will force changes for the 2nd test side on the highveld of Johannesburg where the Springboks, having only been together for the first test for five days, are sure to be better.
Don't be surprised to see changes in all departments in the backs, including both half backs and the midfield. Jonathan Joseph may get a surprise call up at outside centre or on the wing, we may see a Toby Flood-Farrell combo at 10 and 12, or visa versa, and Foden returning to full back.
Whatever the team they must be able to create more to place the Boks on the back foot because constant defending at altitude will only result in a bigger defeat than five points.
Elsewhere the All Blacks looked in ominous form in dismissing Ireland, with Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams showing the world how a 10 and 12 should operate together.
The Irish have two remaining tests against New Zealand and it is hard to see any change in their fortunes.
Wales, on the other hand, can take on Australia again knowing that they could well have beaten a much-improved Wallaby side if they had seized the momentum created in the second half comeback.
Sloppy skills, especially involving passing, saw the Welsh blow gilt-edged chances to take the lead before Australia scored to seal the game.
It promises to be another fascinating weekend of test match rugby ahead but it is hard to see too many reversals based on what we saw last Saturday. England showed a great deal of guts and commitment, but that is not enough to beat one of the big boys down in the Southern Hemisphere.
