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:
England vs Springboks
- TRY! 4’ Sleightholme scores after Smith magic to deliver perfect start [ENG 7-0 RSA]
- TRY! 11’ Williams with a special try after a gorgeous step inside to beat Steward [ENG 7-7 RSA]
- TRY 16’ Du Toit blocks Smith’s kick and collects the ball for opportunistic score [ENG 10-12 RSA]
- TRY! 22’ Kolbe spare on the outside and finishes well after Williams’ kick [ENG 10-19 RSA]
- TRY! 26’ Underhill burrows through to reply for England [ENG 17-19 RSA]
- PENALTY! 58’ Pollard’s kick helped over by the crossbar to snatch the lead for Springboks [ENG 20-22 RSA]
- TRY! 63’ A breathtaking move inspired by De Allende sees Kolbe slice through the hosts to score [ENG 20-29 RSA]
- REPORT: Brutal Springboks show champion qualities to pile more misery on England
- Steve Borthwick reacts to damaging defeat for England to extend losing streak
REPORT: Brutal Springboks show champion qualities to pile more misery on England
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:57 , Jack RathbornFor England, a familiar tale of mistakes and missteps; for South Africa, another day at the ‘Boks office. These are two sides at opposite poles in terms of confidence and certainty and after a contest of blood, thunder and ill-will, the final scoreline told a predictable story. England were valiant but never likely to be victorious – these champion Springboks are simply too good.
The heavy bell tolled again for the hosts and Steve Borthwick, a fifth defeat on the spin continuing a sorry saga that is beginning to become formulaic. England threatened a shock for 60 minutes but eventually fell away, beaten and beaten up and left to yet again rue their mistakes and missteps.
This might have been the best performance of a wretched November for Steve Borthwick’s side but there could be no repeating the feat of the 2012 conquerors of the All Blacks; the best men’s rugby team on the planet proved themselves exactly that. Some credit can be given to the home side for sticking in the fight, Rassie Erasmus’s side unable to land a knockout blow. But there was too much quality and ferocity in the South African ranks to be denied, from Cheslin Kolbe and his fizzing feet to the collection of colossi in the forward pack.
Brutal Springboks show champion qualities to pile more misery on England
France rally past All Blacks to make statement after northern hemisphere rivals ‘bit the dust’
Saturday 16 November 2024 22:56 , Jack RathbornFrance were their unpredictable selves as they beat New Zealand 30-29 in a superb, thrilling autumn series test to end the All Blacks‘ five-match winning streak on Saturday.
Fabien Galthie‘s side held firm in a nerve-wracking finale to prevail with tries by Romain Buros, Paul Boudehent, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and 15 points from the perfect boot of Thomas Ramos.
Following back-to-back victories against Australia in the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks had prevailed against Japan, England and Ireland recently and were looking to avenge their defeat against Les Bleus in last year’s World Cup opener.
Tries by Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard with points kicked by Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie, however, saw them fall just short for their third defeat in a row by France.
France rally past All Blacks after northern hemisphere rivals ‘bit the dust’
Steve Borthwick reflects on another tight defeat
Saturday 16 November 2024 21:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle“It is incredibly frustrating,” the England head coach. “I feel the frustration of the players. While there is much to be positive about, we want to win games, and we are putting ourselves into position to win games and not converting them. These are challenging days for us; it is painful. But we will work through this.
“We have to recognise how good South Africa are. You have to be on the money every second of the Test match. We had plenty of opportunities to score but there were small lapses that were hugely significant.”
Siya Kolisi praises Damian de Allende’s impact in victory over England
Saturday 16 November 2024 21:25 , Jack Rathborn“We know what he is capable of, ball in hand or defending,” Kolisi says.
“He's one of the best passers in the team, I love his attitude, he's not afraid to try stuff. If we need ground, he's not afraid to put his hand up.
“Rassie gives us the freedom, the system protects you, but if your 10 is under pressure, he can take charge. It's really good to have that in the group.”
Rassie Erasmus praises Cheslin Kolbe role in South Africa win over England
Saturday 16 November 2024 21:10 , Jack Rathborn“It doesn’t go to his [Kolbe’s] head, I don’t think there’s a title he hasn’t won, from sevens... wherever he has played, only the Super title,” Erasmus says.
“He’s up to speed immediately, the team helps him a lot, but I can’t praise him enough.
“The off-the-ball work he does. We’re thankful to have such a good group of wingers.”
Rassie Erasmus reacts to South Africa win over England
Saturday 16 November 2024 21:00 , Jack Rathborn“It’s tough, when we had a good winning margin, you’d say does the score reflect the game? I say yes, it was a one-try game,” says Erasmus.
“Competitive as hell, we had some disruptions and injuries, including Ox, I thought Vincent and Malcolm did well.
“When you play at Twickenham, it wasn’t fantastic, but we’re content we beat them today.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Steve Borthwick reacts to demoralising defeat to Springboks
Saturday 16 November 2024 20:50 , Jack Rathborn“There is Japan next week, our sole focus, next Sunday back here, there are, whilst the overriding feeling is frustration and disappointment,” Borthwick tells TNT Sports.
“Even in these difficult times, they’re gaining experience, it’s invaluable for the future. It’s a team that has transitioned this year.
“A lot of senior leaders that have left us after the World Cup, ultimately we have to get across the line.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Steve Borthwick reacts to demoralising defeat to Springboks
Saturday 16 November 2024 20:35 , Jack Rathborn“Turning the ball over, it’s really disappointing, each one slightly different, not too many patterns in that. We’ll have a good look at that and discuss it with the players,” Borthwick tells TNT Sports.
“This is a very top level of world rugby, we’re against an incredibly experienced team, we have to develop the ability to close out games. We didn’t today.
“We have to debrief thoroughly post game, for a long period, we went toe to toe with arguably the best team in the world. The players deserve credit, South Africa deserve credit for the composure.
“We’re going through some painful experiences, we’ll keep working at it to get where we want to be.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Steve Borthwick reacts to demoralising defeat to Springboks
Saturday 16 November 2024 20:20 , Jack Rathborn“I think it’s terribly frustrating for all of us, we’re desperate to get over the line, you see a lot of good stuff done, but too many errors to allow the opposition to get up on the scoreboard,” Borthwick tells TNT Sports.
“It’s important to credit South Africa, for a large part of the game, they’re an incredibly well coached team, we went toe to toe with them.
“You look at the game, the number of errors in the opposition’s 22 in the final 15 minutes, we hade enough, we had enough opportunities to score and win the game.”
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 20:10 , Jack Rathborn
England 20-29 South Africa: Jamie George reacts to five successive defeats
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:50 , Jack Rathborn"It's a game of fine margins,” George tells TNT. “Discipline, it's a different cause over five games. Fundamentally I think we are close.
“We’re working very hard as a team. We want to be winning these games, we know it’s not good enough.
“I hope they can see there’s a lot of endeavour. I couldn't be more confident, the character of the players, the staff, it's ironic saying this, but I think we have the right people and characters, I'm very optimistic about this team.
“Put in performances like that, I think it’s the sign of a good team.”
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:45 , Jack Rathborn“The minimum is to find out what our strengths are, once we know that we can build a team around it, every game looks a bit different.
“You need consistency, look at South Africa's last 10 games, they do that every game. We need to work out what we do well.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Ugo Monye hits out at England
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:38 , Jack Rathborn"It's too early [to say it’s a crisis],” Lawes adds. “We've got time, it's always in the build-up to the World Cup, there are things you want to win between that, but there's far to go.
“We’re nowhere near good enough. We can fix these things, given time. What are our goals? How do we get there? We should be doing better, but I promise you now, it’s not because they don’t want to do it. But they have to put that on the pitch.”
Ugo Monye disagrees, he says it’s “not far off,” adding: “This is so sub-standard.
“It has to be fixed before [the Six Nations]. One from four for English rugby is unacceptable, what other option do we have? It’s a dismal 2024.”
England 20-29 South Africa: Courtney Lawes urges leaders to cut out mistakes
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:36 , Jack Rathborn"We've got a lot of young players trying to gain experience as they go,” Lawes adds on TNT.
“But what we do need is consistency from the leaders, but there are too many mistakes from them at the moment and that goes to the younger players.
“We have to find our DNA and we’re not doing that.”
FT: England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:31 , Jack RathbornThat’ll do it, Reinach ripped the ball away and then gathered the loose ball, it’s booted away and South Africa celebrate!
England had their moments, but it’s another loss, three successive, in fact, a miserable week ahead before Eddie Jones is back in town with Japan.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:30 , Jack Rathborn78 mins
Steenekamp returns from the bin! And that should be that!
Du Toit with a nasty wound to the right eye, blood trickling down the great Springbok’s face.
One more lineout for England to salvage something, it’s out the back and Smith gathers before being wrapped up.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:28 , Jack Rathborn77 mins
Not moving away, another South Africa penalty, desperate from England now, Pollard booting deep into home territory.
Reinach recycling for the Boks, England standing firm, Pollard fancies a drop goal... NO!
England still alive by the barest of margins.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:25 , Jack Rathborn75 mins
South Africa with the penalty, England holding on... Lawrence hobbles away, his burst had England sensing a chance there.
The Boks gain 26.6m of territory with that kick, into the final five and the attritional nature of this contest is leaving bodies scattered, notably Cunningham-South, who winces on the turf.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:20 , Jack Rathborn72 mins
Kolisi makes way, Louw on for the Boks as they negotiate a tense finale here, England still believe, time for a South Africa scrum.
Randall launches one wide and Lawrence is clattered, penalty to South Africa (hands in the ruck), a crackle from the travelling away fans, they sense that could help them over the line with just over six minutes remaining.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:18 , Jack Rathborn70 mins
England sense their moment is close, Cole fancies it, burrowing down low, but held up. Penalty to England after that advantage for offside.
The crowd expects, inside the final 10 minutes, but the Boks survive and can boot clear through Pollard.
England 20-29 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamAn opportunity opens for England with Gerhard Steenekamp sent to the sin bin. Not only are South Africa down a man but with Ox Nche seemingly injured earlier, they are short of a loosehead. The Springboks would normally have a versatile tighthead like Trevor Nyakane or Thomas du Toit capable of covering but this will be a test of their champion qualities.
YELLOW! England 20-29 South Africa (Steenekamp)
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:15 , Jack Rathborn67 mins
Kolbe searching for his first ever hat-trick for the Boks, then, but England frantically try to find a route back here. Down nine, they’re in a hurry.
Kolbe is everywhere, now a boot to relieve pressure, he bashes his hands together, urging the world champions to finish the job.
England searching for a spark, anything at this stage, and maybe that’s it, Steenekamp is shown a yellow card!
De Allende is off, Am is his replacement...
TRY! England 20-29 South Africa (Kolbe)
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:09 , Jack Rathborn63 mins
TRY! De Allende working those tree trunks for legs, pumping them as he breaks a tackle and then offloads to the rampaging Kolbe.
The catch is smooth and then he ducks inside of Slade and storms through to score. Daylight for the Boks, stunning!
Penalty! England 20-22 South Africa (Pollard)
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:04 , Jack Rathborn58 mins
Where’s your luck!? Pollard’s kick flutters in the night sky at the Allianz Stadium, it’s struggling, it won’t make it surely?
It clatters the bar and tumbles over, three more to the Boks and a precious lead once again.
England 20-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 19:02 , Jack Rathborn55 mins
Bit of a kicking battle unfolds here, Pollard with another exquisite claim under pressure from Freeman after Smith orchestrates England’s way forward with a towering kick.
Penalty South Africa! England concede their ninth, to the Boks’ seven so far. Pollard’s first...
Penalty! England 20-19 South Africa (Smith)
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:56 , Jack Rathborn52 mins
No problem at all, Marcus Smith knocks over the three points with ease and England finally lead once more!
But South Africa quickly respond and Van Poortvliet affords the Boks a chance through the scrum.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:55 , Jack Rathborn51 mins
Pollard up high to gather and a tidy offload to Williams, too.
Obstruction though, England can pounce here and pull ahead by a point with this penalty.
NO TRY! England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:53 , Jack Rathborn49 mins
NO TRY! Itoje with a neck roll on Marx and that’ll be enough for the TMO to chalk that score off for England.
One apiece, then, and you can still barely split them. Boos ring around the Allianz Stadium.
TRY! England 22-19 South Africa (Slade)
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:51 , Jack Rathborn48 mins
Sense it? They seize the score, England in business and Henry Slade with an almighty stretch up high after being found free on the far side.
But it’s the magic of Smith, who delays the pass and spreads the ball out wide. But we’ll take a look at this one too... Up to the TMO.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:49 , Jack Rathborn46 mins
Marx and Pollard on for Mbonambi and Libbok as South Africa ring the changes.
England fans sense a chance here off the lineout. Smith with a ball out the back of the hand, but it’s a little untidy, but no bother, England regain possession.
Smith, drop goal... No, a boot to the corner and Freeman gathers, a huge roar from the Twickenham crowd. England can sense it!
NO TRY! England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:45 , Jack Rathborn44 mins
NO TRY! Arendse has his head in his hands, Fassi’s pass was a fraction forward and England have a stroke of luck, there.
They remain two back... And an almighty roar as De Allende holds on and Smith will boot into touch for a lineout.
TRY! England 17-24 South Africa (Arendse)
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:44 , Jack Rathborn43 mins
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?
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:41 , Jack Rathborn42 mins
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...
HALF TIME: England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:36 , Jack RathbornSo 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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:25 , Jack RathbornHalf-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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:23 , Jack Rathborn39 mins
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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:21 , Jack Rathborn37 mins
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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:18 , Jack Rathborn35 mins
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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:16 , Jack Rathborn33 mins
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.
England 17-19 South Africa
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:11 , Jack Rathborn30 mins
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.
TRY! England 17-19 South Africa (Underhill)
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:07 , Jack Rathborn26 mins
TRY ENGLAND! Underhill responds with a bruising carry, three Springboks collide with him, but he stumbles over the line and that’s a superb response.
Smith with the extra and England are within two points.
TRY! England 10-19 South Africa (Kolbe)
Saturday 16 November 2024 18:03 , Jack Rathborn22 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)
Saturday 16 November 2024 17:58 , Jack Rathborn16 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)
Saturday 16 November 2024 17:56 , Jack Rathborn15 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)
Saturday 16 November 2024 17:52 , Jack Rathborn11 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
Saturday 16 November 2024 17:47 , Jack Rathborn7 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
Saturday 16 November 2024 17:45 , Jack Rathborn4 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!
