England are still looking for their first win in this Autumn Nations Series campaign. Narrow defeats to New Zealand and Australia show England are able to hold their own with the Southern Hemisphere teams however, ultimately, the win remains elusive. Taking into account the tour of Japan and New Zealand earlier this summer, going into this game England are on a 4-run losing streak.
Head Coach Steve Borthwick has made five changes to the side who lost to the Wallabies last weekend.
Freddie Steward returns as fall-back with Jack van Poortvliet starting as scrum-half. Sam Underhill replaces the injured Tom Curry and Ollie Sleightholme starts in place of an injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Tom Roebuck is the other change to this week’s team, earning his place on the bench.
Today they face back-to-back World Champions South Africa.
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The atmosphere was already charged before a spectacular light show proved this game meant everything to both England and South Africa. Both teams made changes to their teams from last week.
Marcus Smith kicked off proceedings for the hosts as ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ rang out around the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
A knock-on handed England a scrum just inside South Africa’s half. The hosts retrieved the ball and passed it out quickly to the near wing. A grubber kick was neatly placed behind the defensive line. Although South Africa retrieved it first, they were pressured into kicking quickly and sliced the ball into touch. England earned a line-out in the Springbok 22. From there, they moved the ball swiftly and Ollie Sleightholme crossed the whitewash for the first try of the game in the opening three minutes of play. Smith converted. England 7 – 0 South Africa after 4 minutes.
The re-start was not gathered cleanly by either side and ultimately a scrum was awarded to England in their own half.
With every offload England gained ground. Van Poortvliet box-kicked high and South Africa fumbled the ball, knocking on. Advantage was played and England kicked long, sending play deep into the Springbok 22. The hosts forced another rush kick and the ball was again sliced, sending it sideways rather than forward. South Africa earned a scrum inside their own 22 and on securing the ball promptly kicked long to clear their lines – such was the uncharacteristic panic that seemed to have taken hold of the visitors.
Line-out to South Africa inside the England half. England started playing with belief, but with that belief came sloppy play. Rushing to set a defensive line, England opened up gaps allowing Grant Williams to break through and cross for a try. Converted by Libbok to level the scores after 11 minutes. England 7 – 7 South Africa.
England would have been disappointed to let an easy try through.
Smith restarted play and the ball forced South Africa into a defensive line-out in their own 22. They secured ball but again opted to clear their lines. England ran the ball back and earned a penalty; du Toit penalised for hands in the ruck. Captain Jamie George called for the posts and Smith placed the tee. 3 points added and England retook the lead after 15 minutes. England 10 – 7 South Africa.
South Africa restarted play but England gathered the ball. Van Poortvliet’s clearance kick was charged down but Smith managed to gather the ball. Instead of holding on to the ball and taking the hit, he opted to clear but Pieter-Steph du Toit charged down his kick and carried on to score the try. Conversion was missed but South Africa retook the lead. England 10 – 12 South Africa after 17 minutes.
Stuart was penalised for a high tackle and South Africa kicked for the corner. They secured line-out ball and took play to the far wing. Another penalty went against the hosts – tackler not releasing. Again they kicked for the corner. Despite jumping in the line-out, the Springboks through the ball to the front and attempted to form a maul. England stood up to the pressure so the ball was kicked to the near wing. Kolbe took it cleanly and crossed the whitewash. Converted by Libbok. (22 minutes). England 10 – 19 South Africa.
Fassi was penalised for dangerous play on Martin. Penalty to the hosts. They secured line-out ball and played quickly. Sam Underhill powered over for the try; Smith converted. England 17 – 19 South Africa after 27 minutes.
England secured restart ball but for the second time in the match van Poortvliert was charged down. This time Smith gathered the ball and passed wide. The hosts got play back up the field forcing South Africa to touch down over their own line. They kicked out but England kept play in the 22. Scrum to South Africa for a knock-on. This was upgraded to a penalty; England guilty of collapsing the scrum.
Line-out ball was secured by South Africa in the England half but a thumping tackle handed England turnover ball. The fans cheered when van Poortvliert was able to box-kick without being charged down. South Africa spilled the ball into touch handing the hosts another line-out.
England secured ball but lost possession following another attempted high-ball. South Africa simply cleared their lines allowing England to come again. Another attempted kick through ended up with the Springboks tapping down over their own line.
Blood replacement for South Africa (32 minutes).
England earned advantage knock-on but kicked play back into South African hands where they called the mark. They then found touch deep in the England half. George found his mark and van Poortvliet box-kicked on. South Africa gathered and sent the ball back. It was gathered well by the hosts and Smith kicked play back into the opposition territory.
Steward was able to break through the defensive line and ran play up to within 5-metres of the try-line before having the ball dislodged in an attempted tackle.
Defensive scrum to South Africa that was once again upgraded to a penalty; Genge collapsing the scrum. The Springboks found touch still within their own half but the hosts stole possession in the air when the ball was kicked on. However, possession was short-lived as the hosts were penalised for holding on. South Africa opted for the posts but it was pulled wide. England cleared their lines.
The Springboks secured line-out ball and recycled well until a knock-on handed play to England. They kept possession until the clock turned red and kicked into touch to end the first half.
Half-Time at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham: England 17 – 19 South Africa
A slow start from both sides in the second half before Kolbe made advances behind the English defensive line. He was tackled but the ball recycled well. An attempted chip-over was gathered by England; the mark called.
The hosts cleared their lines and South Africa secured line-out ball. It was not long before they sent play to the near wing and Arendse crossed for a try. The Television Match Official was brought into play for a clear forward pass; no try awarded.
The referee took play back for a penalty to South Africa (being taken out in the air). They kicked for the corner, secured line-out ball but England were awarded a penalty; Earle prevented from turning over the ball.
The hosts found touch still inside their own half but secured the ball. They box-kicked long and although South Africa took the ball, England were awarded a penalty (going off feet).
England secured line-out ball, formed a maul before releasing the centres. A loose pass from Smith sent play back outside the 22 but still within England possession. A cross-field kick was attempted and gathered well despite strong pressure from two defenders. England made it up to within 1 metre of the try-line. They opted to grab and drive before sending play to the centre and out to the wing. Breaths were held as a long pass reached the hands of Henry Slade.
The TMO intervened for dangerous play from England during a previous clear-out. Try disallowed.
South Africa found touch still inside their own half and England stole the line-out. The hosts recycled well. Seeing England being pushed back, Smith kicked on and the hosts were awarded a penalty: he added the three points, kicking England back into the lead 20-19 after 52 minutes.
More joy for the hosts as they overpowered South Africa in the scrum, earning a penalty and clearing their lines.
Another penalty to the hosts who found touch inside the Springbok half.
They secured the ball, kicked on and secured possession again before handing the ball again to the opposition.
After an aerial battle ensued, South Africa were awarded a penalty and Pollard, brought on for this very reason, kicked for the posts from the half-way line. South Africa were back in the lead 20-22 after 58 minutes.
The atmosphere was getting dangerous on the pitch as tempers started to fray. A knock-on by the visitors was upgraded to a penalty after they were shown to pull down in the air.
England kicked for the corner, secured line-out ball but were penalised for holding on. A wasted opportunity and South Africa released Kolbe who sprinted across the whitewash pulling South Africa 9 points clear again with the conversion. England 20 – 29 South Africa after 63 minutes.
The hosts kept their heads and took play back into the Springbok 22 after a series of penalties. They secured line-out ball, formed a maul then sent the ball to the centre. South Africa stole possession and cleared their lines.
The hosts secured the ball and ran from deep before earning a penalty; yellow card issued to Steenekamp for a build-up of infringements (68th minute).
England progressed to the 22, secured line-out ball, formed a rolling maul and earned advantage. The ball was short of the line but play was brought back for the penalty against du Toit.
Smith placed the ball in the corner for another attacking line-out but on this occasion South Africa were awarded a free kick and cleared their lines. England won the ball but knocked-on. To ensure contested scrums, Kolisi was replaced (71 minutes).
The hosts tackled well and earned a penalty. Smith again found touch in the corner. They secured the ball and formed a maul. It drove on before the ball was passed out. South Africa earned a penalty inside their 22.
Twice England had the opportunity to cross the whitewash and twice the Springboks dug deep and held firm.
South Africa overthrew their line-out and England took possession of the ball. Itoje was caught in possession and penalised for not releasing. South Africa again found touch.
Another penalty awarded to the Sprinboks who kicked for touch inside the 22. They could not gain ground and so a drop goal was attempted; it went wide.
Steenekamp saw out his sin-bin; returned to the field as did Kolisi in the final minute.
England earned a penalty and found touch just outside the South African 22.
Play came to nothing and the final whistle blew.
Full-time at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham: England 20 – 29 South Africa.
Five successive defeats for England.
Attendance: 81,910.
England
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 1 Ellis Gene, 2 Jamie George, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Mario Itoje, 5 George Martin, 6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Alex Dombrandt, 21 Harry Randall, 22 George Ford, 23 Tom Roebuck.
South Africa
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 RG Snyman, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese
16 Malcom Marx, Gerhand Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am
