England vs South Africa LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates as Springboks lead thriller
Steve Borthwick’s side take on the world champions after four defeats on the spin
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Your support makes all the difference.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 17-19 South Africa
Half-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
39 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
37 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
35 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
33 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
30 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)
26 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.
England 10-19 South Africa
24 mins
Four tries in 23 minutes, then, England left to scratch their heads a little, but the Boks have overwhelmed the hosts with their physicality here.
TRY! England 10-19 South Africa (Kolbe)
22 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)
16 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.
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