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:
Second half...
Will Stuart is on, too - Kyle Sinckler had looked a little stiff on a number of occasions in that first half and had been struggling against Ox Nche at scrum time.
South Africa as they were.
H/T: England 3-14 South Africa
England re-emerge for the second half first, with Jack Nowell’s blue scrum-capped head easy to spot amongst the white shirts. Tommy Freeman appears to be the man replaced.
H/T: England 3-14 South Africa
England have spent just six seconds inside the South African 22 so far, according to the official stats. So much for lighting up Twickenham - it will again have to be much, much better after the interval from Eddie Jones’ side.
Twickenham mourns the passing of Doddie Weir
Just after the players made their exit, Twickenham rose to its feet for a minute of applause in memory of Doddie Weir, with news of his passing arriving just moments before kick off. It really is desperately sad news - a Scottish icon on the pitch who became a great campaigner off it, battling so bravely against Motor Neurone Disease. He will be greatly missed.
Doddie Weir dies aged 52 after battle with MND
Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and raised millions through his My Name’5 Doddie foundation to help fight the disease
H/T: England 3-14 South Africa
Well, the game hasn’t yet erupted into life but South Africa will be much, much happier with that first half than England. The scrappy nature of the contest means that chances in phase play have been limited for both sides, but that brilliant counter-attacking Kurt-Lee Arendse score and two straightforward misses from the tee from Owen Farrell means the Springboks head back to the dressing rooms in a position of reasonable strength. England’s discipline is starting to become an issue, too - they’ll start the second half on a final warning.
HALF TIME! ENGLAND 3-14 SOUTH AFRICA
PENALTY! England 3-14 SOUTH AFRICA (Faf de Klerk penalty, 40 minutes)
A hint of a slip again for the South Africa scrum-half but the strike of his left boot is straight and secure.
England 3-11 South Africa, 39 minutes
Angus Gardner’s whistle sounds again with England’s discipline lacking. Faf de Klerk will try to close the half with three points.
England 3-11 South Africa, 37 minutes
South Africa win another penalty and return to the right corner. Alex Coles penalised again - it’s not been the best half for the young forward.
England 3-11 South Africa, 36 minutes
South Africa are at it again! The creative axis of Willie le Roux and Damian Willemse are again the instigators, Le Roux spotting the possibility of space on the right inside his own 22.
Willemse tries to turn the burners on to scorch a trail outside Maro Itoje, who does very well to snare a piece of cloth on Willemse’s shirt and prevent the fly half getting away. Kurt-Lee Arendse tracks superbly in support but can’t beat Freddie Steward, diving to his left like a goalkeeper, with his kick through. Steward argues it is a charge down; referee Angus Gardner rules he has knocked on.
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