England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Final score and result as Springboks down sub-par England despite red card
England 13-27 South Africa: Thomas Du Toit sent off but Springboks cruise to a win that completes a poor autumn for England
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England collapsed to their first defeat by South Africa at Twickenham for eight years as an autumn of crushing disappointment concluded with a 27-13 rout.
Eddie Jones’ men delivered the worst performance of a campaign consisting of a solitary victory over Japan as the 14-man Springboks, inspired by half-backs Faf de Klerk and Damian Willemse, dominated the rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.
By the end of the first half, England had spent only six seconds in the opposition 22 with their backline reduced to virtual bystanders by a vast error count and the familiar disciplinary issues. The most brainless moment arrived shortly after the break when Jonny Hill flung De Klerk out of a ruck, prompting referee Angus Gardner to reverse a penalty, and seconds later Eben Etzebeth was over to extend the lead to 24-6.
Unlike their mesmerising comeback against New Zealand a week earlier, there were no late heroics this time even after replacement prop Thomas du Toit had been sent off in the 60th minute for a dangerous challenge on Luke Cowan-Dickie. Henry Slade dashed over in the 72nd minute - the same stage at which the 25-25 draw with the All Blacks was made possible - but pedestrian England had rarely threatened amid a lack of ideas or tempo in attack.
Relive all the action from Twickenham with our live blog below:
Wales 34-32 Australia, 78 minutes
This time Nawaqanitawase cuts into space! Through pour his Australian teammates with Wales in real strife...
Wales 34-32 Australia, 77 minutes
There must surely be spaces for Australia against 13 men - can the Wallabies find them? They search in the wider confines, but bodies are across to Mark Nawaqanitawase before he can make much metreage up the left.
Kicked away! Good defence from Wales to force Australia to play territory with no obvious attacking options apparent.
Wales 34-32 Australia, 75 minutes
...But it matters not as Wales are penalised!
Wales 34-32 Australia, 74 minutes
An error from Australia at the restart! There is little pressure on Tom Wright as he settles beneath it, but through his arms it tumbles.
Knock on. Wales take off Alex Cuthbert and bring Ken Owens back on to ensure they have a qualified hooker on...
PENALTY TRY! Wales 34-32 AUSTRALIA (73 minutes)
Penalty try! Ryan Elias is deemed to have caused the collapse of the Australian maul and Matthew Carley trots beneath the posts after a consultation with the TMO.
It’s all falling apart for Wales. Elias will spend the remainder of this contest in the sin bin, with Justin Tipuric still more than three minutes away from a return. Australia now trail by only two.
TMO check! Wales 34-25 Australia, 73 minutes
Down comes the maul in a heap in-goal - where is the ball? Matthew Carley peers in between the tangled limbs - he can’t quite spot it. Can the TMO?
Wales 34-25 Australia, 72 minutes
Australia draw a penalty as they sustain an effort inside the Welsh 22. Take the points and make it a single score game?
Nope, to the corner!
Wales 34-25 Australia, 71 minutes
This could be a grand finish. Australia, with a man advantage, are encouraged to play, keeping the ball alive even with Wales up quickly in their faces. Space opens on the blindside and Fraser McReight wisely finds it, waiting for Tate McDermott to join him in support after the scrum half had passed to the flanker.
McDermott kicks on with Mark Nawaqanitawase chasing hard. Joe Hawkins covers superbly but can’t get any kind of purchase on his clearance, knocking on as he tries to regather.
TRY! Wales 34-25 AUSTRALIA (Mark Nawaqanitawse try, 68 minutes)
There’s life in this contest yet!
Shrewd thinking from the Wallabies, attacking the space at the back of the Welsh defensive lineout that Justin Tipuric might usually occupy.
Lachlan Lonergan hits his jumper and then takes a pass, peeling around and forcing Jac Morgan to step up and in to hit him. Lonergan’s blind inside ball hits an onrushing Mark Nawaqanitawase, angling off the blindside wing with his huge thighs pumping and charging up through an open gorge in the Welsh defence.
Alex Cuthbert and Rhys Priestland can’t deny the wing; over goes the conversion to move Australia even nearer.
YELLOW CARD! Justin Tipuric is sent to the sin bin! Wales 34-18 Australia, 67 minutes
Hang on - Samu’s stumble was caused by a surreptitious trip from Justin Tipuric. That’s a good spot from the TMO - Matthew Carley sends the Wales captain from the field as he produces a yellow card.
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