England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Springboks edge thriller
Steve Borthwick’s side have now lost five games in a row including the summer defeats to New Zealand
Two irresistible tries by winger Cheslin Kolbe helped South Africa team to a 29-20 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday and though the home crowd was treated to a fantastic match, it meant a fifth successive defeat for Steve Borthwick’s men.
It was 19-17 to the world champion Springboks at the break after a breathless, five-try first half full of attacking intent from both sides.
Ollie Sleightholme put England ahead, but three tries in 10 minutes by Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kolbe silenced Twickenham, only for Sam Underhill to power over for the hosts.
A penalty for Marcus Smith briefly had England ahead but a Handre Pollard penalty and winger Kolbe’s explosive second try made it 29-20 and South Africa showed all their usual doggedness to keep the hosts at arm’s length in the final 15 minutes.
Follow all the latest reaction from the Allianz Stadium below:
England 20-29 South Africa
England 20-29 South Africa: Jamie George reacts to five successive defeats
"It's a game of fine margins,” George tells TNT. “Discipline, it's a different cause over five games. Fundamentally I think we are close.
“We’re working very hard as a team. We want to be winning these games, we know it’s not good enough.
“I hope they can see there’s a lot of endeavour. I couldn't be more confident, the character of the players, the staff, it's ironic saying this, but I think we have the right people and characters, I'm very optimistic about this team.
“Put in performances like that, I think it’s the sign of a good team.”
England 20-29 South Africa
“The minimum is to find out what our strengths are, once we know that we can build a team around it, every game looks a bit different.
“You need consistency, look at South Africa's last 10 games, they do that every game. We need to work out what we do well.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Ugo Monye hits out at England
"It's too early [to say it’s a crisis],” Lawes adds. “We've got time, it's always in the build-up to the World Cup, there are things you want to win between that, but there's far to go.
“We’re nowhere near good enough. We can fix these things, given time. What are our goals? How do we get there? We should be doing better, but I promise you now, it’s not because they don’t want to do it. But they have to put that on the pitch.”
Ugo Monye disagrees, he says it’s “not far off,” adding: “This is so sub-standard.
“It has to be fixed before [the Six Nations]. One from four for English rugby is unacceptable, what other option do we have? It’s a dismal 2024.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Courtney Lawes urges leaders to cut out mistakes
"We've got a lot of young players trying to gain experience as they go,” Lawes adds on TNT.
“But what we do need is consistency from the leaders, but there are too many mistakes from them at the moment and that goes to the younger players.
“We have to find our DNA and we’re not doing that.”
FT: England 20-29 South Africa
That’ll do it, Reinach ripped the ball away and then gathered the loose ball, it’s booted away and South Africa celebrate!
England had their moments, but it’s another loss, three successive, in fact, a miserable week ahead before Eddie Jones is back in town with Japan.
“This will be hard for the boys,” Lawes admits on TNT. “They have to develop as a team, it’s disappointing, but you have to get back up and go again.”
England 20-29 South Africa
78 mins
Steenekamp returns from the bin! And that should be that!
Du Toit with a nasty wound to the right eye, blood trickling down the great Springbok’s face.
One more lineout for England to salvage something, it’s out the back and Smith gathers before being wrapped up.
England 20-29 South Africa
77 mins
Not moving away, another South Africa penalty, desperate from England now, Pollard booting deep into home territory.
Reinach recycling for the Boks, England standing firm, Pollard fancies a drop goal... NO!
England still alive by the barest of margins.
England 20-29 South Africa
75 mins
South Africa with the penalty, England holding on... Lawrence hobbles away, his burst had England sensing a chance there.
The Boks gain 26.6m of territory with that kick, into the final five and the attritional nature of this contest is leaving bodies scattered, notably Cunningham-South, who winces on the turf.
England 20-29 South Africa
72 mins
Kolisi makes way, Louw on for the Boks as they negotiate a tense finale here, England still believe, time for a South Africa scrum.
Randall launches one wide and Lawrence is clattered, penalty to South Africa (hands in the ruck), a crackle from the travelling away fans, they sense that could help them over the line with just over six minutes remaining.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments