England vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn Nations Series
Eddie Jones’ side got some revenge against the world champion Springboks
England welcomed South Africa to Twickenham on Saturday afternoon in a mouthwatering rematch of the World Cup final two years on.
Fly-half Marcus Smith landed a last-minute penalty to snatch a 27-26 win as the hosts looked full of early promise but were hauled back by the battling Springboks in the teams’ first meeting since the 2019 showpiece.
England fashioned excellent early tries for Manu Tuilagi and Freddie Steward but were penalised relentlessly and four penalties for Handre Pollard kept South Africa within five points at the break.
The Springboks edged clear in the second half and, after tries by Raffie Quirke for England and Makazole Mapimpi for the Springboks, a Fran Steyne penalty put the visitors two points ahead with six minutes to go. England, though, mustered one final attack and earned a penalty on the 22 that Smith smashed over.
With star youngsters like Smith, Steward and Quirke breaking through across a fruitful autumn, Jones admitted the quest for the 2023 World Cup title hurtles ever closer. Asked if this autumn series represents a new England era, coach Eddie Jones replied: “Yes, we said in the summer that the Lions tour draws a line in the sand, and that you need to regenerate and have a little bit of a rebirth to go to the World Cup.
“There’s some good players coming through but we’ve got some pretty good experienced players too. They feel comfortable within themselves, they want to be together, they want to work together. Our stated aim is to win the World Cup, so we want to be better in the next campaign.”
France 37 -25 New Zealand
73 mins: France go close to score another scintillating try! Jaminet made the break and carried the ball 50 yards, but France were unable to offload the ball to Dupont and Barrett kicked for touch to relieve the pressure.
France 37 -25 New Zealand
71 mins: Penaud turns to the crowd and pumps his fist as New Zealand knock the ball on, the latest All Blacks error.
France will be happy if this scrum takes a few minutes to set.
TRY! France 37 -25 New Zealand (PENAUD 68’)
WHAT A NOISE inside the Stade de France! It’s a gift for the hosts, as Penaud steals a loose New Zealand pass as the All Blacks looked to play out from their 22.
Penaud was celebrating before he crossed the line and then splashed down with a dive!
France 30-25 New Zealand
66 mins: France win a huge penalty as New Zealand powered back into their half.
Woki is causing chaos all over the pitch and he was crucial to that turnover.
France clear, but Ntamack is making way for France - Jalibert is on!
France 30-25 New Zealand (Jaminet pen 66’)
The full-back adds three more points and suddenly the momentum is back with France.
France 27-25 New Zealand
63 mins: Stunning from Ntamack. Scrambling back to sweep up a New Zealand break and Barrett kick, the fly-half dropped a should and carried the ball out from behind his own try-line!
Woki took up the charge inside the New Zealand half and Savea is sent to the bin for being off his feet as New Zealand frantically tried to recover!
France 27-25 New Zealand
63 mins: Wow - what an incredible passage of play! Ntamack is a magician and France have gone from one end of the pitch to another! And Savea has been shown a yellow card!
TRY! France 27-25 New Zealand (Savea 60’)
There’s a hush in the Stade de France now - New Zealand have reeled in France with three quickfire tries in 20 minutes!
The All Blacks rumble over the line from the lineout, with Savea powering over.
Barrett adds the conversion.
France 27-18 New Zealand
59 mins: New Zealand are back inside the France five-metre line and have a lineout in a promising position...
France 27-18 New Zealand (Jaminet pen 55’)
This is set up perfectly now at the Stade de France - and emotions briefly spill over following the restart as New Zealand concede a quick penalty after Penaud had tried to skip around the outside of Ioane.
Jaminet keeps cool to add the three points.
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