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.”
TRY! Wales 23-20 Australia (WHITE 61’)
What a move from Australia! Kurtley Beale makes a lovely side-step on Halaholo to create a line, and the full-back then drives away from Wainwright. Nic White makes the supporting run and finishes it off at the second attempt after Williams had got back to briefly halt him at the line.
This isn’t done yet!
YELLOW CARD! Wales 23-13 Australia (Thomas)
58 mins: Both teams will be have 14 men for the next 10 minutes after Gareth Thomas is shown a yellow card for his clear out.
His arm made contact with Alaalatoa’s head.
Australia are unable to make any ground from the penalty.
Wales 23-13 Australia
57 mins: Wales broke well from the scrum as Williams came out with ball in hand. He then found Wainwright, who was making a run on the outside, before Wales went through the middle with Ellis Jenkins.
However, after Jenkins is tackled, Gareth Thomas storms in with the clear out and catches Alaalatoa.
He could be in trouble here.
Wales 23-13 Australia
56 mins: Lovely break from Australia, with Iktiau making the initial burst before then playing a smart offload to Daugunu. Australia had a spare man over in Samu, but Daugunu’s pass went forward.
Wales 23-13 Australia
54 mins: Wales edge their way up the pitch after a couple of kicks from Biggar, either side of a lineout which Australia had won back.
Wales 23-13 Australia
51 mins: That’s a huge turnover! Australia’s rolling maul was pushing for the line but Wales were able to hold them at bay before winning the penalty at the breakdown!
Wales 23-13 Australia
49 mins: Sloppy restart from Wales as Halaholo knocks on under little pressure from kick-off. Wales hold off the initial pressure after Australia elected to go for the corner - but Australia then pick up a second penalty and will try again on the opposite wing.
TRY! Wales 23-13 Australia (Tompkins 48’)
What a strange try! Everyone is frozen as Tompkins blocks a pass from Wright - everyone thinks the ball has been knocked on, but the referee disagrees and Tompkins picks up the ball before carrying the ball over the line under no pressure! Tompkins picked up the ball and turned to the referee, who gave him the go-ahead to continue. The TMO confirms that the ball went backwards and the try stands!
Biggar adds the conversion.
Wales 16-13 Australia
46 mins: Australia eventually come away with the ball as the Wallabies build some nice possession but Wales stand strong.
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