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

Freddie Steward celebrates 'unbelievable win' against South Africa

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.”

England vs South Africa

• 7’ - TRY! Tuilagi drives home to give England early advantage, 7-0
• 7’ - INJURY: Tuilagi is off after injuring himself scoring, Malins is his replacement
• 18’ - TRY! Steward with a powerful finish to maintain early momentum and rock the Boks, 14-3
• 48’ - MISS! Pollard with a second successive skewed kick, England let off and remain up 17-12
• 66’ - TRY! Quirke with a breathtaking breakaway try as England retake the lead, 24-18
• 69’ - TRY! Pure power from the Boks and Mapimpi is in, but Jantjies misses the extras, it’s still England with the lead, 24-23
• 73’ - PENALTY! Steyn keeps his nerve, slots this one and the Boks lead, 26-24
• 80’ - PENALTY! Smith nails it, England snatch victory, incredible noise at Twickenham, 27-26

[20 November 2021 20:23 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 14-6 New Zealand

21 mins: Barrett flights a kick out to Bridge, which briefly caught out Penaud, but the France winger was able to change direction and make the tackle, forcing the knock-on.

[20 November 2021 20:21 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 14-6 New Zealand

19 mins: France were able to build the phases, with Jonathan Danty having a couple of carries into forwards. Ntamack then lines up a drop-goal but he doesn’t get a good connection on it at all and it doesn’t threaten the posts.

[20 November 2021 20:19 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 14-6 New Zealand

17 mins: France keep the ball from the lineout before Dupont tries to carry the ball into a couple of bruising New Zealand forwards! France then win the penalty and Jaminet clears.

[20 November 2021 20:18 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 14-6 New Zealand

16 mins: New Zealand make a break through Rieko Ioane and get close to the line but France are able to regather their numbers in the corner and force the All Blacks to switch directions. Barrett’s pass outside is slightly behind Bridge, who sends his man down before Fickou gets across to force him out into touch.

[20 November 2021 20:13 · Jamie Braidwood]

TRY! France 14-6 New Zealand (NTAMACK 13’)

Sensational from France! It’s wonderful from Ntamack - his return to fly-half has lifted France from the off. He faked a pass to his outside before driving through the middle of two New Zealand players and diving for the line.

Jaminet adds the two points from a slight angle.

[20 November 2021 20:13 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 7-6 New Zealand

12 mins: Damian Penaud spins away from a tackle to gain good ground from France, France are back in the New Zealand 22!

[20 November 2021 20:11 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 7-6 New Zealand (J Barrett pen 9’)

France go long at the lineout but the throw goes too long and Savea makes the break following a Coles offload.

France then concede the penalty for being offside and New Zealand take another kick at goal, as Barrett hits his second penalty in quick succession.

[20 November 2021 20:09 · Jack Rathborn]

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[20 November 2021 20:08 · Jamie Braidwood]

France 7-3 New Zealand (J Barrett pen 7’)

France make some big tackles following the restart as New Zealand look to carry - but the play comes back after France committed a penalty at the breakdown.

Jordie Barrett gets the All Blacks off the board from 35 yards or so. He made that look pretty simple.

[20 November 2021 20:04 · Jamie Braidwood]

TRY! France 7-0 New Zealand (Mauvaka 2')

What a start for the hosts! From the lineout, France gather the ball and the maul is powered over the line by Peato Mauvaka!

And wow, the conversion from full-back Melvyn Jaminet is sublime from the touchline. France are seven up inside four minutes.