Nick Abendanon came to South Africa for a wedding and stayed on to score a hat-trick of tries as England triumphed 57-31 against Northern Barbarians on Tuesday.
The fullback also played a key role in two other tries among the seven scored by the visitors, who finished strongly after the Barbarians trimmed a 31-10 half-time deficit to just seven points.
Bath-based Abendanon, who was born in an up-scale Johannesburg suburb 25 years ago, flew to South Africa this month for a wedding and was then called up by coach Stuart Lancaster when injured Mike Brown had to return home.
The man of the match played down his 15-point contribution, saying his team-mates made it easy for him.
“I got good help for my tries and I thought Jonny May was outstanding when he replaced Ugo (Monye). Hopefully a few of the team are going to push for Test places this weekend,” said Abendanon.
A second consecutive midweek win for England over a Barbarians selection was marred by a first-half injury to left wing Monye, making his first appearance on the five-match tour.
The British and Irish Lion was carried off in a neck brace and taken to hospital for a precautionary scan with English officials confident the injury was not serious.
A Baa Baas side composed of northern-based players in the second tier of the Currie Cup took an early 10-3 lead, then conceded four tries before staging a stirring second-half fightback to trail 31-24 approaching the hour mark.
But if Abendanon punished the South Africans in the opening half, fellow tour replacement May proved a scourge in the second as he scored tries after 63 and 70 minutes to turn the tide back in favour of the tourists.
“It was a really physical game,” admitted England captain and lock George Robson, “and a real pleasure to come over here and play. The game could have gone either way until Jonny (May) scored those tries.”
Abendanon (three), replacement wing May (two), No.8 Ben Morgan and outside centre Anthony Allen crossed the try-line and England were awarded a penalty try. Five-eighth Charlie Hodgson kicked seven conversions and a penalty.
Halfback Shaun Venter grabbed two tries for the Baa Baas and inside centre Joubert Engelbrecht and left wing Deon Scholtz one each while fullback JC Roos kicked four conversions and a penalty.
England complete the tour with the third and final Test against the Springboks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, hoping to avoid a whitewash after losing the first and second encounters.
