Springbok fans’ message for RFU: Please keep Steve Borthwick!

South African rugby supporters are sending their warmest regards to Twickenham ahead of the RFU’s review of England’s Six Nations campaign.

There is a rare and beautiful moment in sport when your opponents do your work for you.

For Springbok supporters watching the 2026 Six Nations unfold from the comfort of their couches, that moment lasted five weeks.

A CAMPAIGN TO FORGET

England, who arrived at the tournament on the back of an 11-match winning streak and genuine Grand Slam expectations, managed one win from five.

They lost to Scotland. They lost to Ireland. They lost to Italy, for the first time in 33 internationals against the Azzurri; a result that would have seemed like fiction not long ago.

And then, just when it looked like they might salvage something in Paris, France broke English hearts with a penalty in the final play of the game to win 48-46 and claim the title.

Four defeats. Fifth place. The worst Six Nations campaign in England’s history.

And head coach Steve Borthwick, facing an RFU review that could end his tenure, has looked the cameras squarely in the eye and said: “I believe I’m the right man to lead the team going forward.”

South Africa agrees. Wholeheartedly.

ELLIS PARK IS WAITING

Because on 4 July, the Springboks host England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, the opening fixture of the newly launched Nations Championship, and England’s first visit to South African soil since 2018.

The world champions, riding high after a stellar 2025, will be welcoming a side that just finished below Italy in the Six Nations table. With Borthwick still in the dugout, ideally.

It would be deeply unfair to suggest Springbok fans are being entirely cynical here. There is genuine warmth in their support for the England coach. The kind of warmth you feel watching someone confidently walk in the wrong direction.

GOING THE OTHER WAY

Former England international Ugo Monye, perhaps, put it most plainly during the tournament, observing that France are improving, Scotland are improving, Italy are improving, and England are heading in the opposite direction.

“At the moment, I don’t think the potential of the players is being met by the vision of the coach,” said Monye.

Bok fans filed that one away for later.

England players, to their credit, have rallied behind their coach. For instance, Jamie George called Borthwick “one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked under”, and backed him to lead England to the 2027 World Cup. Sam Underhill echoed the sentiment. The squad, publicly at least, remains united.

But public loyalty and convincing rugby are two different things, and right now England are producing plenty of the former and precious little of the latter.

PLEASE, STEVE, STAY!

For South African supporters, whether watching from Johannesburg, Cape Town, or from a lounge in London, the prospect of a rattled, fifth-placed England side making the trip to Ellis Park in July is a deeply satisfying one.

The Boks will be sharp, motivated, and playing in front of a home crowd that has been waiting eight years for this fixture.

The RFU review concludes soon. The decision on Borthwick’s future will follow.

South Africa has made its position clear. Steve, please, stay exactly where you are.