England 27-26 South Africa
Date:
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Attendance: 81,623
England v South Africa Match Reports
A last minute penalty kick by Marcus Smith secured a narrow 27-26 victory for England over the Springboks at Twickenham. England had powered into an early lead, with tries from Manu Tuilagi and Freddie Steward in the first 20 minutes, but South Africa kept in touch with four Handre Pollard penalty kicks to reach the break just five points adrift. The lead changed hands a few times in an exciting second half as Raffi Quirke crossed for England and Makazole Mapimpi for the Springboks, but Marcus Smith had the final say with his nerveless kick. A selection of match reports is listed below:
- Autumn Internationals: Marcus Smith holds nerve to boot England to narrow victory over South Africa
- BBC: England clinch dramatic 27-26 win over South Africa at Twickenham
- Guardian: Smith’s last-gasp kick gives England thrilling victory over South Africa
- Daily Mail: Marcus Smith kicks late penalty as Eddie Jones' men defeat world champions in enthralling Test at Twickenham
- Sky Sports: England avenge World Cup defeat with Autumn Nations Series win over Springboks
- England Rugby: England beat world champion boks at Twickenham
England v South Africa - Match Highlights
England v South Africa - Match Stats
England: (17) 27
Try: Tuilagi (7'), Steward (17'), Quirke (65')
Conversion: Smith (8', 18', 66')
Penalty: Smith (24', 80')
South Africa: (12) 26
Try: Mapimpi (69')
Penalty: Pollard (14', 22', 26', 30', 55'), Jantjies (64'), Steyn (73')
Man of the match: Freddie Steward (England)
England v South Africa - Team Line-ups
England Team
Forwards
- 1 Bevan Rodd
- 2 Jamie Blamire
- 3 Kyle Sinckler
- 4 Maro Itoje
- 5 Jonny Hill
- 6 Courtney Lawes (Captain)
- 7 Sam Underhill
- 8 Tom Curry
Backs
- 9 Ben Youngs
- 10 Marcus Smith
- 11 Jonny May
- 12 Manu Tuilagi
- 13 Henry Slade
- 14 Joe Marchant
- 15 Freddie Steward
Replacements
- 16 Nic Dolly
- 17 Joe Marler
- 18 Will Stuart
- 19 Charlie Ewels
- 20 Sam Simmonds
- 21 Alex Dombrandt
- 22 Raffi Quirke
- 23 Max Malins
South Africa Team
Forwards
- 1 Ox Nché
- 2 Bongi Mbonambi
- 3 Trevor Nyakane
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 5 Lood de Jager
- 6 Siya Kolisi (Captain)
- 7 Kwagga Smith
- 8 Duane Vermeulen
Backs
- 9 Cobus Reinach
- 10 Handré Pollard
- 11 Makazole Mapimpi
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 13 Lukhanyo Am
- 14 Jesse Kriel
- 15 Willie le Roux
Replacements
- 16 Malcolm Marx
- 17 Steven Kitshoff
- 18 Vincent Koch
- 19 Franco Mostert
- 20 Jasper Wiese
- 21 Herschel Jantjies
- 22 Elton Jantjies
- 23 Frans Steyn