England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Final score and result as Springboks down sub-par England despite red card
England 13-27 South Africa: Thomas Du Toit sent off but Springboks cruise to a win that completes a poor autumn for England
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England collapsed to their first defeat by South Africa at Twickenham for eight years as an autumn of crushing disappointment concluded with a 27-13 rout.
Eddie Jones’ men delivered the worst performance of a campaign consisting of a solitary victory over Japan as the 14-man Springboks, inspired by half-backs Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse, dominated the rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.
By the end of the first half, England had spent only six seconds in the opposition 22 with their backline reduced to virtual bystanders by a vast error count and the familiar disciplinary issues. The most brainless moment arrived shortly after the break when Jonny Hill flung De Klerk out of a ruck, prompting referee Angus Gardner to reverse a penalty, and seconds later Eben Etzebeth was over to extend the lead to 24-6.
Unlike their mesmerising comeback against New Zealand a week earlier, there were no late heroics this time even after replacement prop Thomas du Toit had been sent off in the 60th minute for a dangerous challenge on Luke Cowan-Dickie. Henry Slade dashed over in the 72nd minute - the same stage at which the 25-25 draw with the All Blacks was made possible - but pedestrian England had rarely threatened amid a lack of ideas or tempo in attack.
Relive all the action from Twickenham with our live blog below:
PENALTY! WALES 20-6 Australia (Gareth Anscombe, 28 minutes)
Over it goes after another clean dispatch from Gareth Anscombe’s instep.
Wales 17-6 Australia, 26 minutes
Jac Morgan has had a very, very bright start. He beats two or three would-be tacklers on a pinball angled charge, arms and legs working like pistons in the engine - up and down, up and down - as he canters forth.
Fraser McReight dives at the feet of Alun Wyn Jones - there are no arms in the flanker’s tackle and Wales will have the chance to add to their lead.
Wales 17-6 Australia, 25 minutes
A penalty each way: Matt Carley whistles first against Wales, allowing Jake Gordon to tap quickly, and then against Australia as Gordon’s hasty hurry away leaves him isolated.
TRY! WALES 17-6 Australia (Taulupe Faletau try, 23 minutes)
He has!
Another gem created by the Welsh forwards, with Alun Wyn Jones producing another deft moment of dexterity out the back door to connect with a teammate. Justin Tipuric makes a hard charge to suck the Australians in, and then it is a simple draw and pass job, with Taulupe Faletau the end man on the line.
Faletau forces over in the corner, with TMO Joy Neville requiring only the briefest of looks to confirm he’d kept the chalk off his boots and grounded cleanly. Gareth Anscombe converts from the touchline, too.
Wales 10-6 Australia, 22 minutes
The Wales scrum goes to work again, earning another penalty advantage.
Through the hands they go, creating room on the right. Has Taulupe Faletau squeezed over in the corner?
Wales 10-6 Australia, 21 minutes
That makes it even better - Folau Fainga’a throw to the tail drifts away from his hoisted teammate and into Welsh hands. Wales can’t capitalise, but Matthew Carley brings them back for a scrum for the not straight lineout.
Wales 10-6 Australia, 20 minutes
That’s a much better restart drill from the Welsh. Kieran Hardy collects inside his own 22 and drives a powerful punt up to the other side of halfway.
PENALTY! WALES 10-6 Australia (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 19 minutes)
Beautifully struck by Anscombe from 35 metres or so, just inside the 15-metre line. Simple enough, but crisply done.
Wales 7-6 Australia, 18 minutes
There is definitely an improved continuity about the Welsh attack so far. They work up towards 15 phases with good energy, Jac Morgan again showing well in the carry to earn a penalty.
Gareth Anscombe will line it up...
PENALTY! Wales 7-6 AUSTRALIA (Ben Donaldson, 16 minutes)
Ben Donaldson’s boot is true again.
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