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.”
Wales 16-13 Australia
42 mins: Williams have an opening of space out on the left wing - but Australia recover and regather their numbers before clearing for touch.
Elias’ throw was not straight so we come back for a scrum on halfway.
KICK-OFF! Wales 16-13 Australia
Back underway, and Wales get the early advantage after Beale knocks it on when trying to collect a high kick from Biggar.
HALF TIME: Wales 16-13 Australia
The teams are back out at the Principality - those in attendance will be hoping to see their side rack up the points in the second half but Australia have showed they’re for the fight.
Second half next!
HALF TIME: Wales 16-13 Australia
Wales will be looking to improve after the break. They haven’t been able to make use of their man advantage so far.
Australia will be fairly happy with how they’ve played - the red card and yellow card aside.
HALF TIME: Wales 16-13 Australia
40 mins: Wales were unable to work anything from the lineout, which was just outside the Australia 22, and in the end it was the visitors who threatened to break after turning it over.
Wright kicks down field and goes for the chase but Biggar is there to pick up and boot into touch to bring the half to a close.
It’s been scrappy, but Wales lead.
Wales 16-13 Australia
39 mins: Josh Adams looks to be clear after picking up a loose ball before he is dragged back by his collar Tom Wright - that’s a penalty.
From the advantage, Wales looked to work it wide and space opened up after a fine cutting pass from Halaholo.
They eventually turn it over so it comes back to the original penalty.
Wales 16-13 Australia (Biggar pen 38)
Biggar kicks Wales in front shortly before half time with a simple penalty from in front of the posts. Good work from Tomas Francis, there, to win the penalty following Halaholo’s initial run.
Wales 13-13 Australia
37 mins: Uilisi Halaholo drops a lovely couple of shoulders to beat Iktiau and then Beale in midfield - that got some Wales fans up off their seats.
The play is then halted after Tupou takes a knock - and his day looks done.
Wales 13-13 Australia
35 mins: After an exchange of kicks, O’Connor goes for touch from inside his half but it doesn’t quite run far enough. It goes back for a Wales scrum inside their half.
Wales 13-13 Australia
33 mins: Lots going on here. Kellaway clatters into Adams when trying to claim a high ball, and from the play that followed, Australia worked the ball into a couple of promising positions through Tupou, but it’s Wales who win the penalty.
Kellaway’s day is over and he picked up a knock, and Beale returns to the pitch as Australia go back up to 14.
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