England v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 score and result as Springboks snatch win at the death

Steve Borthwick’s England were agonisingly beaten by reigning champions South Africa to a spot in the 2023 World Cup final where the All Blacks await

South Africa train on eve of RWC semi-final against England

England suffered defeat in the most agonising circumstances as world champions South Africa emerged victorious at the Stade de France to set up a colossal Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. Steve Borthwick’s men performed admirably and executed a sublime game plan, backing up their quarter-final victory over Fiji behind the magnificent kicking of Owen Farrell.

But the Springboks showed their resilience and rallied late in the second half, also relying on kicking, with Handre Pollard, on after half an hour following a ruthless move to hook the struggling Manie Libbok, shining and subsequently hitting the match-winning penalty. South Africa scored the only try of the match, with RG Snyman bundling over with 12 minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to just two points and allowing Pollard to snatch victory and ensure a mouthwatering encounter with the All Blacks.

Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi admitted the contest was a tough watch at times: "It was ugly today, really ugly, but that's what champions are made of. England, credit to them, they were written off. They showed who they are. All credit to them, my team, it was ugly, but we found a way to fight and get back into the game. I'm really proud of them, especially the guys who came off the bench.

“England did so well in the kicking game, they outplayed us in that, our discipline was awful. But we showed who we are and what we can do. The All Blacks are playing really well, but we want to thank the South Africans who stuck with us and travelled over, next week will be tough, it'll be special, hopefully we can defend it.” Follow all the reaction and analysis from a pulsating semi-final below.

England vs South Africa live

• Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
• South Africa to face New Zealand in World Cup final as England suffer narrow defeat
• England pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new Springboks heartbreak
• Steve Borthwick promises England will ‘grow into something brilliant’ after defeat
• Tom Curry accuses South Africa hooker of racist comment during World Cup semi-final
• South Africa now investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom Curry

[21 October 2023 21:59 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa

Jonny Wilkinson: “England, they did manage it absolutely brilliantly. The guys making the kicks, the guys chasing the kicks, they got almost everything right. But fair play to South Africa, they knew what to do.”

[21 October 2023 21:57 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa

South Africa will play New Zealand in the World Cup final next Saturday. England will have to go on to a third-place playoff against Argentina, having led this semi-final for 75 minutes.

[21 October 2023 21:55 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa

80 min: A knock-on in the tackle, and South Africa have won! Oh England.

The players break into a petty scrap, grabbing each other’s shirts.

South African players celebrate their semi-final victory (Getty Images)

Players react to the full-time whistle at the Stade de France (Getty Images)

[21 October 2023 21:53 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-16 South Africa

79 min: This is it, England have the ball and they are searching for one final score inside the South African half...

[21 October 2023 21:51 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Penalty! England 15-16 South Africa (Pollard)

77 min: Handre Pollard opts to kick for the posts, and it’s a picture of perfection, whistling through the middle of the sticks.

For the first time all night, South Africa lead.

Handre Pollard’s key penalty kick (Getty Images)

[21 October 2023 21:50 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-13 South Africa

75 min: This scrum is so vital. South Africa are desperate to earn a penalty here but England are not falling into the trap, yet. Another reset, however... and this time Ben O’Keeffe blows his whistle! Genge is penalised for dropping to his knee: Springbok penalty just inside halfway.

[21 October 2023 21:48 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-13 South Africa

74 min: England survive the scrum with conceding a penalty, but Steward makes a big error a moment later when he slices a kick straight up in the air and then knocks on his attempted catch. Scrum to South Africa just inside England’s half.

Every play is so tense now.

[21 October 2023 21:46 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-13 South Africa

71 min: Willie Le Roux marks Farrell’s high kick and South Africa opt for a scrum on their own 22 to keep the pressure on England’s creaking pack, and Sinckler in particular.

[21 October 2023 21:41 · Lawrence Ostlere]

TRY! England 15-13 South Africa (RG Snyman)

68 min: South Africa win the lineout and then barrel towards the English line and RG Snyman does the honours between a couple of struggling backs. Pollard makes the kick to add two more.

[21 October 2023 21:40 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

67 min: A few moments later South Africa have a scrum near the halfway line, and this time Jamie George gets told off by Ben O’Keefe for a technical infringement.

Now then: Pollard kicks perfectly into the corner and South Africa will have a lineout very close to the English try line. Vunipola comes on for a limping Tom Curry.