Kolbe tries help Springboks inflict another rugby win over struggling England

LONDON (AP) — South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe hurt England once again by scoring a try in each half to propel the Springboks to a 29-20 win at Twickenham on Saturday, extending the English run of defeats to five.

It was England’s third straight loss to a southern hemisphere power in this autumn series, after 24-22 to New Zealand and 42-37 to Australia, and some familiar faces administered the late crucial blows in an engrossing match that was in the balance after an hour.

Kolbe, one of the try-scorers in the Boks’ World Cup final win over England in 2019, finished off a crossfield kick for his first try in the 22nd minute and went over for the clinching score in the 63rd following a piercing break by center Damien de Allende.

South Africa pushed two scores ahead thanks to a conversion by replacement flyhalf Handre Pollard, whose last-gasp penalty sealed the Boks’ win over England in the World Cup semifinals last year, and the English couldn’t respond despite territory and playing against 14 men for the final 10 minutes.

Since repeating as world champions a year ago, the Springboks have won 10 of 12 tests and lost the other two by only a point each. England, meanwhile, has lost six of its last seven tests and has a concerning penchant for finishing tight games weakly.

It is leaving England coach Steve Borthwick under increasing pressure, especially if his team fails to beat Japan next week in their last outing of the year.

A frenetic first half featured five tries, two for England — through Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Underhill — and three for the Boks, via scrumhalf Grant Williams’ darting run, flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit's chargedown and grounding, and Kolbe.

The second half was more tight and tense, with each team having a try ruled out and England taking a 20-19 lead through Marcus Smith’s penalty in the 52nd.

England lacked composure with a huge win in its sights and Pollard, on for Mannie Libbok, returned the favor with a trademark penalty from halfway to regain the lead for the Boks.

Kolbe took De Allende’s pass and sprinted down the wing to score the try that broke English hearts, and Pollard naturally slotted the extras from the touchline.

Replacement prop Gerhard Steenekamp’s 69th-minute sin-binning for repeated team infringements might have cost South Africa, but its defense stayed strong and England made errors and bad decisions.

The last time England lost three in a row at home was in 2006.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

England's Marcus Smith is tackled by South Africa's Grant Williams during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Damian de Allende, is tackled by England's Tommy Freeman during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

South Africa's RG Snyman tries to break through the England defence during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Manie Libbok converts a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit goes over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

England's Ollie Sleightholme runs onto score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Referee Andrew Brace indicates a try as England's Sam Underhill, raises his arm to celebrate after he scores during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

England's Ollie Lawrence loose the ball as he is tackled by South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

South Africa's Eben Etzebeth, right leaps for a high ball with England's Ollie Sleightholme , center and England's Chandler Cunningham-South during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

England's Sam Underhill, , left, us tackled by South Africa's Jasper Wiese during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

South Africa's Grant Williams fends off the challenge by England's Jack van Poortvliet during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Jasper Wiese, is brought down by England's Maro Itoje during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

England's Tommy Freeman, left, and South Africa's Kurt-Lee Arendse leap for a high ball during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit leaps for the ball at a line out during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

South Africa's Siya Kolisi is tackled by England's Ellis Genge during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe, runs over the line to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between England and South Africa, at Twickenham, in London, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

KOHALA, Hawai‘i--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Kuleana Rum Works, the Hawai‘i-based distillery known for its additive-free, award-winning rums, today announced the release of “An Open Letter on Additive-Free Rum,” written by Founder & CEO Steve Jefferson, addressing why rum is now facing the same scrutiny and market shift that reshaped tequila a decade ago.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107792953/en/

Consumers across spirits are demanding more honesty about how products are made. Additive-free labeling has already transformed tequila and is reshaping whiskey and RTDs. Drinkers now expect producers to protect natural flavor instead of masking it, and bartenders increasingly use transparency as a measure of quality. The letter positions rum as the next category entering this accountability cycle, as more consumers begin to question undisclosed sweeteners, flavorings and added color.

Tequila provides the clearest precedent. Producers who embraced additive-free methods helped premiumize the category, while brands relying on undisclosed additives now face growing skepticism. According to the letter, rum is approaching the same turning point. Jefferson explains that Kuleana Rum Works was founded on additive-free principles: growing heirloom Hawaiian kō (sugarcane), fermenting and distilling fresh juice at lower proof to preserve natural character, adding nothing after distillation and holding all blending partners to the same standards. Every rum — whether distilled in Hawai‘i or sourced — is verified additive-free through independent lab testing and supplier documentation.

“Consumer expectations are changing fast across spirits,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “People want honesty in what they drink, and they’re rewarding producers who protect natural flavor rather than covering it up. Additive-free isn’t a trend — it’s becoming the standard, and rum is now facing that shift head-on.”

Additional detail in the letter underscores how production choices such as fresh juice fermentation, low-proof distillation and a strict no-additives policy create transparency and flavor integrity that align with what the market is valuing.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawai‘i in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums — led by its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® — from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Now available in 17 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

https://kuleanarum.com/additive-free/