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 21:37 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

65 min: Finally the Springboks break into the English half but there’s another South African error at the breakdown, this time by Bongi Mbonambi. He’s not happy with that, but the decision won’t change. England penalty inside their own half.

[21 October 2023 21:35 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

64 min: Sinckler has been punished again at the scrum – Ox Nche is dominating him on that side of pack right now. South Africa are still struggling to get out of their own half, however...

[21 October 2023 21:33 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

62 min: Replacement Ellis Genge knocks on and South Africa will have a scrum in their own half. There’s a little timeout as Ben O’Keeffe is annoyed by the number of water carriers and medics rushing on to the pitch and interrupting the game. He makes his feelings clear to both captains.

[21 October 2023 21:29 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

59 min: Swing Low rings out around the Stade de France as we wait for this scrum. The English crowd are silenced, however, as Sinckler is penalised for not pushing straight. A promising position for England ends in a South African penalty.

[21 October 2023 21:27 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

57 min: Another big moment for England. Farrell kicks a bouncing ball to the corner where Arendse seems to panic under pressure, and he ends up knocking on. Yet another error by the Springboks. England have an attacking scrum.

South Africa, by the way, have used up all their replacements. That is how much pressure they’ve been put under tonight in Paris.

[21 October 2023 21:25 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 15-6 South Africa

54 min: Jonny Wilkinson had called for England’s players to produce the game of their lives before kick-off, and they are delivering on that.

England have thrown on Danny Care and Kyle Sinckler.

[21 October 2023 21:22 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Drop goal! England 15-6 South Africa (Farrell)

53 min: England make a little progess into the South African half when, out of nowhere, Farrell gets himself into the slot about 45-50 yards out and smashes a drop goal over the posts! The captain has been immaculate and that was his best kick yet.

[21 October 2023 21:21 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 12-6 South Africa

52 min: Almost brilliant by South Africa! Pollard plays a clever kick to the left wing where Cheslin Kolbe grabs and surges into the 22. He grubbers towards the line and Le Roux gets to it first, but he can only kick the ball heavily off the pitch.

[21 October 2023 21:17 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 12-6 South Africa

50 min: A messy few moments end with England being awarded a scrum around halfway when a South African hand knocks on. England’s entire pack have been exceptional so far.

[21 October 2023 21:15 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England 12-6 South Africa

48 min: Itoje grabs the loose ball in the tackle at the halfway line and recycles it to Mitchell, but he makes a rare mistake with a kick straight out to touch. South Africa will have a lineout just inside English territory.