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England face a tall task if they are end their recent woe as Steve Borthwick’s side welcome world champions South Africa to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Four successive defeats by fine margins have piled the pressure on England, with Borthwick left furious by a loose performance against Australia last weekend. The squad have closed ranks this week as they attempt to channel the pain of that run and last year’s World Cup semi-final, when they let a game they had in their grasp slip away as the Springboks roared back to victory.
Rassie Erasmus’s visitors have seemingly only improved since then, evolving significantly during a successful Rugby Championship campaign. Several key players were rested against Scotland last weekend and South Africa still emerged on top – Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among those restored to the starting side for what should be a physical, fierce affair.
Follow all of the latest from the Allianz Stadium in our live blog below:
NO TRY! England 17-24 South Africa
NO TRY! Arendse has his head in his hands, Fassi’s pass was a fraction forward and England have a stroke of luck, there.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:45
TRY! England 17-24 South Africa (Arendse)
TRY! In a flash, South Africa are in and show why they’re world class.
Fassi with the surge and then a neat pass to Arendse on the outside and his pace is too much.
But hold on… Let’s have a look here, forward pass?
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:44
England 17-19 South Africa
Here we go again, and the Boks immediately press England back. Williams spins one out and Wiese will gladly gather and bump into white shirts like bowling pins.
Kolbe’s agility a little too much for Jamie George, there, and he dashes beyond the line and is almost in, but England survive!
The Boks turn to their daunting bench…
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:41
HALF TIME: England 17-19 South Africa
So much for an arm wrestle! Captivating stuff, the collisions colossal, the conjuring clever. England would have worried when they slipped two scores behind but that Sam Underhill score – delightfully taken by a player proving a point on his return to the side – keeps them very much in touch. You do wonder just what impact that Springboks bench will have, even short of a forward or two; England probably don’t have the impact to match that unit.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:36
England 17-19 South Africa
Half-time at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
And breathe! That was some half of rugby and England were tested by that breathtaking blitz from the Boks.
But Underhill’s try in response has Borthwick’s men within a couple.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:25
England 17-19 South Africa
England holding on from Freeman… A chance for Libbok, who fancies a dig from range.
From 48m… 2/3 becomes 2/4 for Libbok and England collect with Slade and boot into touch.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:23
England 17-19 South Africa
A scrum then as England pile on the pressure approaching South Africa’s try line.
But the collapsing scrum, the hosts’ second scrum penalty of the match to their opponents’ zero, offers the Boks a reprieve, a boot away from Libbok gets them up and away.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:21
England 17-19 South Africa
That’ll do his confidence the world of good, Steward gathering from a high ball, a real test that one, as the Springboks sniffed an opening in midfield.
And another! But this time he eats up the ground, Steward with a dink over the time, Libbok desperately trying to beat Freeman in a foot race. A kind bounce saves the Boks but England are alive as half-time approaches.
The Boks have the kicking advantage so far, an average of 31.4m versus England’s 23m.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:18
England 17-19 South Africa
Fassi with a big, arching kick to Smith and he’ll try collect it, but Smith gathers and sends England on their way, bumping into the Springboks’ No. 15 and turning the tables nicely.
He then joins in after Freeman goes back inside, sidestepping Kolisi.
There’s a problem for Ox Nche, it’s an injury and he hobbles off to make way for Steenekamp.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:16
England 17-19 South Africa
Arendse with a crunching tackle on Lawrence in a match defined by these violent collisions so far.
England responding well to that blitz from the Boks and well poised after a breathtaking 30 minutes.
Williams jinking and diving inside to leave England scrambling, but Freeman is there to cover and delivers some heat.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:11