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 17-19 South Africa
46 mins
Marx and Pollard on for Mbonambi and Libbok as South Africa ring the changes.
England fans sense a chance here off the lineout. Smith with a ball out the back of the hand, but it’s a little untidy, but no bother, England regain possession.
Smith, drop goal... No, a boot to the corner and Freeman gathers, a huge roar from the Twickenham crowd. England can sense it!
NO TRY! England 17-19 South Africa
44 mins
NO TRY! Arendse has his head in his hands, Fassi’s pass was a fraction forward and England have a stroke of luck, there.
They remain two back... And an almighty roar as De Allende holds on and Smith will boot into touch for a lineout.
TRY! England 17-24 South Africa (Arendse)
43 mins
TRY! In a flash, South Africa are in and show why they’re world class.
Fassi with the surge and then a neat pass to Arendse on the outside and his pace is too much.
But hold on... Let’s have a look here, forward pass?
England 17-19 South Africa
42 mins
Here we go again, and the Boks immediately press England back. Williams spins one out and Wiese will gladly gather and bump into white shirts like bowling pins.
Kolbe’s agility a little too much for Jamie George, there, and he dashes beyond the line and is almost in, but England survive!
The Boks turn to their daunting bench...
HALF TIME: England 17-19 South Africa
So much for an arm wrestle! Captivating stuff, the collisions colossal, the conjuring clever. England would have worried when they slipped two scores behind but that Sam Underhill score - delightfully taken by a player proving a point on his return to the side - keeps them very much in touch. You do wonder just what impact that Springboks bench will have, even short of a forward or two; England probably don’t have the impact to match that unit.
England 17-19 South Africa
Half-time at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
And breathe! That was some half of rugby and England were tested by that breathtaking blitz from the Boks.
But Underhill’s try in response has Borthwick’s men within a couple.
England 17-19 South Africa
39 mins
England holding on from Freeman... A chance for Libbok, who fancies a dig from range.
From 48m... 2/3 becomes 2/4 for Libbok and England collect with Slade and boot into touch.
England 17-19 South Africa
37 mins
A scrum then as England pile on the pressure approaching South Africa’s try line.
But the collapsing scrum, the hosts’ second scrum penalty of the match to their opponents’ zero, offers the Boks a reprieve, a boot away from Libbok gets them up and away.
England 17-19 South Africa
35 mins
That’ll do his confidence the world of good, Steward gathering from a high ball, a real test that one, as the Springboks sniffed an opening in midfield.
And another! But this time he eats up the ground, Steward with a dink over the time, Libbok desperately trying to beat Freeman in a foot race. A kind bounce saves the Boks but England are alive as half-time approaches.
The Boks have the kicking advantage so far, an average of 31.4m versus England’s 23m.
England 17-19 South Africa
33 mins
Fassi with a big, arching kick to Smith and he’ll try collect it, but Smith gathers and sends England on their way, bumping into the Springboks’ No. 15 and turning the tables nicely.
He then joins in after Freeman goes back inside, sidestepping Kolisi.
There’s a problem for Ox Nche, it’s an injury and he hobbles off to make way for Steenekamp.
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