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:
England 20-19 South Africa
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…
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 19:02
Penalty! England 20-19 South Africa (Smith)
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.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:56
England 17-19 South Africa
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.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:55
NO TRY! England 17-19 South Africa
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.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:53
TRY! England 22-19 South Africa (Slade)
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.
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:51
England 17-19 South Africa
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!
Jack Rathborn16 November 2024 18:49
NO TRY! England 17-19 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.
They remain two back… And an almighty roar as De Allende holds on and Smith will boot into touch for a lineout.
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