England vs South Africa - Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly secure controversial victory over Springboks
Follow the latest from the opening autumn international at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.England fought back from behind to defeat South Africa 12-11 and kickstart not only their autumn international campaign but also their Rugby World Cup plans.
But it took a hugely controversial finish to fall in England's favour to secure the win, with Owen Farrell involved in a last-play TMO review for what appeared to be a shoulder tackle on replacement Andre Esterhuizen.
Referee Angus Gardner and Irish TMO Olly Hodges reviewed the tackle after the former had initially blown for full-time, but deemed it just on the side of legal to hand England a hugely important victory.
The win gives England back-to-back wins over the Springboks, which is all the more impressive given the number of players that Eddie Jones was missing from his squad and the lack of ball carriers they had in the pack, and it is the perfect preparation for welcoming the All Blacks to Twickenham next weekend.
South Africa took the lead in the first half through a Handre Pollard penalty that Farrell soon matched, although by that point Maro Itoje had been sent to the sin-bon for repeatedly infringing. But the Springboks hit the gas soon after Itoje's return that saw the wing Sbu Nkosi spring over in the corner, with Pollard missing what would prove a crucial conversion.
England landed an immediate response as Farrell struck his second penalty before the break, but after half-time England spurred into life. Elliot Daly stepped up to strike a 49m penalty that nudged England into the lead, and while Pollard was able to put the Springboks back in front, England's defence set the tone for their attack that suddenly started to click. Farrell was given a late chance to win the match for England seven minutes from time, and although Pollard was given his own chance a few minutes later, his effort just shaved the outside of the upright to hand England victory.
Re-live the live action below.
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What time does it start?
England vs South Africa kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 3 November.
Where can I watch it?
The Test will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 2:00pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 2:30pm.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Alec Hepburn, Dylan Hartley, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Mark Wilson.
Replacements: Jamie George, Ben Moon, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Zach Mercer, Danny Care, George Ford, Chris Ashton.
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Sbu Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Handre Pollard, Ivan van Zyl; Steven Kitschoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit; Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Embrose Papier, Elton Jantjies, Andre Esterhuizen.
11 mins: The Boks attack left to right and a chip in behind is collected by Nkosi, but he's quickly hit by May and England force the fumble to turn the ball over. It's all South Africa at the moment though.
13 mins: A good take from Wilson sees the No 8 pass inside to Daly, who finds touch inside the Springboks half. England need to find a bit of possession here, as they have put very little of note together.
14 mins: A second penalty goes against Itoje, who gets on the wrong side of the lineout and then collapses the maul. He's been the biggest culprit of ill-discpline so far for the hosts. Pollard meanwhile finds touch deep into the English 22 with the penalty and this is a good chance for the Boks.
16 mins: With a penalty advantage already from an early lineout drive from Wilson, Pollard puts the high ball up for Nkosi and he beats Daly to the ball. The England defence just stops the try, and from the recycle Itoje nails Van Zyl perfectly to force him back. However, Gardner decides he's deliberately killed the ball, and that's 10 minutes in the bin. He stopped a certain try there, but South Africa have gone to the corner with England down to 14.
17 mins: Another penalty against England at the maul and Gardner gives Hartley a final warning. Pollard goes to touch and...the lineout is overthrown! Curry collects and England clear through Youngs, and things get even better when Pollard collects the ball and is tackled straight into touch by May to give England the lineout.
18 mins: There's a long stoppage as Hartley has a problem with a contact lens that appears to be lodged in his eye. Meanwhile, here's Siya Kolisi doing what he does best.
19 mins: England lose the lineout but Shields does brilliantly to turn the ball over in midfield and England counter. Farrell puts up a high one that Dyantyi can't take cleanly as he knocks on, and it cannons into a teammate to give away the penalty for offside. Farrell will go for goal to level it up.
20 mins: Farrell's effort, 15m in from the right touchline, bisects the uprights and it's all level. 3-3
22 mins: Ouch. Sinckler throws a one-handed offload to...no one, and when Farrell regathers on his own line he flings it wide to Daly, who does the same to May. The only problem is Nkosi has read it and smashes the Leicester wing, and it's lukcy that England had a knock-on advantage to play with there. From the ensuing scrum, they get the free-kick and Daly kicks clear.
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