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 19:32 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-28 Australia

Rhys Priestland will have the kick from a slight angle, 25 metres out...

[20 November 2021 19:31 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-28 Australia

81 mins: PENALTY WALES! The can’t get over the line but they will have a kick to win it!

[20 November 2021 19:30 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-28 Australia

80 mins: Davies and Williams carry Wales to five metres! The clock is in the red!

[20 November 2021 19:29 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-28 Australia

79 mins: Beale almost had a break after collecting the high ball, but Wales were able to tackle him as he picked up his stride and they have the ball back!

[20 November 2021 19:28 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-28 Australia (Beale pen 78’)

Incredible! Somehow, Australia lead after Beale nails the kick from just inside the Wales half! Wales have just two minutes to hit back!

[20 November 2021 19:27 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-25 Australia

76 mins: Australia couldn’t the keep the ball for long, but the Wallabies win a penalty just as Wales were looking to build up the phases! Will Skelton makes the crucial strip on the halfway line, and Beale will kick for goal!

[20 November 2021 19:24 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-25 Australia

74 mins: Wales return to the Australia half but the ball is spilled on following a break from Basham. Wales then give away a penalty on the Australia 22, and O’Connor kicks to halfway.

[20 November 2021 19:20 · Jamie Braidwood]

TRY! Wales 26-25 Australia (Daugunu 71’)

DRAMA! That is brilliant from Australia, who hit back just as Gareth Thomas’ sin-bin came to an end. It came after a wonderful break from Paisami, who was hauled down yards from the posts. Australia kept the ball and worked it wide, where Filipo Daugunu finished in the corner.

O’Connor strikes the upright with the kick, so Wales stay in front! But what a finish we have in store now.

[20 November 2021 19:17 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-20 Australia

68 mins: Liam Williams is given a test as he chases back to defend a kick from Iktiau. The ball bounces up and catches Williams by surprise, with Beale breathing down his neck. Williams is able to protect the ball and Wales regather, before Australia concede a needless penalty that relieves the pressure and allows Wales to clear.

[20 November 2021 19:14 · Jamie Braidwood]

Wales 26-20 Australia (Biggar pen 66’)

65 mins: Australia make a handling error straight from the restart, and that sees Wales dial up the pressure.

It comes back for a penalty after Paisami crunches Adams off the ball - and Biggar stays perfect from the tee to extend Wales’ lead.