England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Springboks edge thriller
Steve Borthwick’s side have now lost five games in a row including the summer defeats to New Zealand
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Your support makes all the difference.Two irresistible tries by winger Cheslin Kolbe helped South Africa team to a 29-20 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday and though the home crowd was treated to a fantastic match, it meant a fifth successive defeat for Steve Borthwick’s men.
It was 19-17 to the world champion Springboks at the break after a breathless, five-try first half full of attacking intent from both sides.
Ollie Sleightholme put England ahead, but three tries in 10 minutes by Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kolbe silenced Twickenham, only for Sam Underhill to power over for the hosts.
A penalty for Marcus Smith briefly had England ahead but a Handre Pollard penalty and winger Kolbe’s explosive second try made it 29-20 and South Africa showed all their usual doggedness to keep the hosts at arm’s length in the final 15 minutes.
Follow all the latest reaction from the Allianz Stadium below:
TRY! England 10-19 South Africa (Kolbe)
22 mins
TRY! South Africa poised just a few meters from the try line as England bend but don’t break, but that’s magic from Williams.
The vision to kick out wide to the spare man Kolbe, and the catch is solid, then the step inside of Steward and a dash inside to score closer to the posts.
Libbok with the extras form out wide and England, suddenly, right up against it and down by two scores.
TRY! England 10-12 South Africa (Du Toit)
16 mins
TRY! Oh no, England! Two blocks from the Boks and they punish England!
First Van Poortvliet is charged down by Etzebeth’s sprawling paws.
Then Smith scurries around the corner to pick up the pieces, but his kick meets the big hands of Du Toit, a kind bounce and he collects for the score, a nightmare for England.
England 10-7 South Africa (Smith)
15 mins
Smith knocks over England’s first penalty in a convenient reply for the hosts after that magic try from the Boks.
Immense composure and a small lead once more.
TRY! England 7-7 South Africa (Williams)
11 mins
TRY! Grant Williams with a piece of magic to match Smith earlier, the jinking run sends Steward sprawling and he goes over to strike back for the Boks.
Libbok has no problem with the extras there, we’re all level. A sensational try from the world champions.
TRY! England 7-0 South Africa
7 mins
A first rendition of swing low, sweet chariot rings around Twickenham...
And don’t the home fans love that. Sloppy from Libbok, who fumbles the ball forward and England are away again.
Steward unafraid to launch himself into the high ball, but knocks on there. South Africa now sustaining a spell of possession, Lawrence with a crunching tackle on Eztebeth.
TRY! England 7-0 South Africa
4 mins
TRY ENGLAND!
You have to say that is quite magnificent from Marcus Smith, the drop goal is on, but he turns it down, flips the field and scurries into space, popping the ball off for a three vs two.
Sleightholme out wide and finishes with aplomb. Smith with the extras and that’s the perfect start for England!
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