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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
England 6-27 South Africa, 63 minutes
Thomas du Toit’s sending off means Frans Malherbe will be called back into action...
...and the South Africa tighthead is penalised at his first scrum since rejoining proceedings. England go to the corner.
England 6-27 South Africa, 62 minutes
Not with that sort of accuracy they won’t - a lineout error, and South Africa manage to steal the ball five metres out from their own line, Franco Mostert snatching Luke Cowan-Dickie’s dart out of Dave Ribbans’ hands.
Off the spider cam! Damian Willemse’s clearance slams against the piece of equipment. South Africa will have the scrum beneath the point where it was struck - which is five metres out from their own line.
RED CARD! Thomas du Toit is sent off! England 6-27 South Africa, 61 minutes
It had to be red. Thomas du Toit came charging in, failed to wrap and made direct, forceful contact to the top of Luke Cowan-Dickie’s head.
Angus Gardner sends off the replacement tighthead - surely England can’t come roaring back against 14 men again?
TMO check! England 6-27 South Africa, 61 minutes
Ooh - that looks nasty! A shoulder to he head is shown on the big screen and Angus Gardner will have an extended look in consultation with his TMO...
England 6-27 South Africa, 61 minutes
Kurt-Lee Arendse really is wonderful to watch with even a hint of space. Freddie Steward knocks on as England attack and South Africa pounce, springing into attack quickly.
Arendse foxtrots up the right, cleverly releasing and getting back to his feet to go again.
England manage to jackal and win a holding on penalty.
England 6-27 South Africa, 60 minutes
A contented Frans Malherbe makes his way off, appetite sated by his scrum-time munchings of two English looseheads. Thomas du Toit on in his stead.
PENALTY! England 6-27 SOUTH AFRICA (Faf de Klerk penalty, 58 minutes)
Through it goes. Three more to Faf de Klerk and South Africa’s tally.
England 6-24 South Africa, 57 minutes
Angus Gardner’s arm is extended South Africa’s way with England in reverse at the scrum. It surely won’t be too long until the Australian referee considers upping the sanction with English set-piece infringements persistent.
Faf de Klerk will kick for goal.
England 6-24 South Africa, 54 minutes
A midfield knock on ends South Africa’s chances of launching from the lineout.
But I’m not sure England will particularly fancy another scrum examination. Jack Nowell is employed as an emergency flanker with Tom Curry in the bin, and Billy Vunipola expedites the extraction of the ball with his front row immediately under pressure.
Faf de Klerk is instantly snapping at his heels and slapping at his hands, though - the number eight knocks on as Eddie Jones and his staff share searching looks in the coaches’ box. It’s unravelling for England.
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