England fall to third defeat of Autumn Nations series in 29-20 defeat to world champions South Africa; Cheslin Kolbe scores tries in either half for Springboks; loss is fifth in a row for Steve Borthwick’s side stretching back to last summer
Last Updated: 16/11/24 7:49pm
England’s Marcus Smith was unable to mastermind a victory against world champions South Africa
England succumbed to their third defeat in a row in the Autumn Nations Series as world champions South Africa held them off in a 29-20 victory.
After narrow losses to New Zealand and Australia in previous weeks due to late missed opportunities and tactical errors, England were held at arms-length by a greater margin by the Springboks on this occasion, who managed to hold an error-strewn side at bay with only 14 players for much of the closing stages.
A pulsating first half saw England trail 17-19 at the break after five tries had been exchanged in the opening 26 minutes.
England took an early lead through Ollie Slieghtholme, but South Africa roared back as first Grant Williams crossed under the posts, then Pieter-Steph du Toit charged down a Marcus Smith clearance and Cheslin Kolbe finished off a superb Manie Libbok cross-field kick.
Sam Underhill clawed England back into the game on his return with their second try before the interval.
But after reclaiming the lead through a Smith penalty on 52 minutes at 20-19, it was Kolbe who again went over for his second and South Africa’s fourth try to see them reclaim a lead they would not relinquish.
Handre Pollard, the man whose kicking saw South Africa edge to a 16-15 World Cup semi-final win just over a year ago against England, returned again with his boot to kick a penalty that put the Springboks more than a converted score ahead.
It would prove the final points of the game where England came up short for their fifth successive defeat stretching back to last summer’s Test series in New Zealand.
More to follow….
What’s next?
England will conclude their Autumn Nations Series on November 24 when they face Japan at the Allianz Stadium (4.10pm), while South Africa face Wales at the Principality Stadium on November 23 (5.40pm).
