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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
Team News - Wales
This final autumn week falls outside of World Rugby’s stipulated November window, lifting the requirement on clubs to release their international players. That leaves Wales without Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell, who have all returned to their Premiership clubs
Tompkins’ unavailability and Owen Watkin’s injury grant Joe Hawkins an unexpected debut at 12, partnering George North in the centres. A must-win occasion calls for Alun Wyn Jones’ experience in the second row, with the veteran lock making his first start since the Italy defeat that closed the Six Nations, while Jac Morgan, one of the few Welshmen to emerge in credit from last weekend, is joined by Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau in the back row.
Wales XV: G Thomas, K Owens, D Lewis; A Beard, AW Jones; J Morgan, J Tipuric (capt.), T Faletau; T Williams, G Anscombe; R Dyer, J Hawkins, G North, A Cuthbert; L Halfpenny.
Replacements: R Elias, R Jones, T Francis, B Carter, J Macleod; K Hardy, R Priestland, J Adams.
George North: Wales have had brutally honest week ahead of Australia game
George North says that Wales have had “a brutally honest” week ahead of an Autumn Nations Series finale against Australia.
It was arguably their worst result of rugby union’s professional era, arriving just eight months after Wales lost at home to annual Six Nations strugglers Italy.
A fourth successive victory over the Wallabies would not erase memories of the Georgia debacle, but it should at least lift spirits ahead of a tough Six Nations opener against Ireland in just 10 weeks’ time.
“I think this week has been a great example of the boys stepping up when we need to,” Wales centre North said.
George North: Wales have had brutally honest week ahead of Australia game
Wales are desperate to bounce back following the Georgia debacle
Wales embarrassed as unfancied Georgia grab famous win in autumn internationals
Wales suffered an embarrassing defeat as unfancied Georgia claimed a famous 13-12 autumn international victory at the Principality Stadium.
Substitute Luka Matkava’s penalty two minutes from time inflicted immeasurable pain on Wales.
Flanker Jac Morgan scored two first-half tries, but Wales huffed and puffed during a miserable second 40 minutes that Georgia dominated.
The countries clash again at next year’s World Cup in France, which is an encounter that Georgia will not fear in any shape or form.
Wing Sandro Todua scored a 59th-minute try, while fly-half Tedo Abzhandadze converted and kicked a penalty as the visitors repeatedly shunted Wales into reverse gear before Matkava’s late heroics.
Wales embarrassed as unfancied Georgia grab famous win
Wales 12-13 Georgia: Substitute Luka Matkava’s late penalty inflicted one of the greatest upsets in international rugby union history
Is Wales vs Australia on TV today? Kick-off time and how to watch autumn international
Australia look to capitalise on Wales’ poor run of form when they round off their autumn internationals at the Principality Stadium.
Entering the contest low on confidence after a shock loss to Georgia, Wayne Pivac’s position is under threat.
Despite being a year away from the World Cup in France, a run of eight losses from 11 Tests has eroded any credit in the bank from the Six Nations win last year.
The Wallabies have suffered a frustrating autumn, beating Scotland but losing to both France and Italy by a solitary point, with No 1 side Ireland given a scare last weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game at the Principality Stadium:
Is Wales vs Australia on TV today? Kick-off time and how to watch
Wales host the Wallabies looking to bounce back after a damaging loss to Georgia
Wales vs Australia
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Wales vs Australia this afternoon - as the 2022 autumn internationals come to their conclusion.
Wales are looking to salvage some pride from their autumn international campaign after a shock loss to Georgia last week, although their opponents have also been struggling.
The autumn internationals have left Wayne Pivac and his Wallabies counterpart Dave Rennie under severe pressure with less than a year to go until the World Cup in France.
Pivac was sitting pretty after guiding his side to Six Nations glory in 2021, but a horrid streak of eight losses from 11 Tests this year leaves him in a tough spot.
Rennie is hoping to avoid a 10th loss from just 14 games in 2022, but dig a little deeper and Australia haven’t disgraced themselves this autumn, with victory over Scotland, single-point losses to France and Italy and then running the No 1 side in the world Ireland very close last weekend.
Stick with us for all the action.
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