England rounded off a successful Autumn Nations Series and look ahead to the Six Nations with real optimism following a statement 27-26 win over South Africa.
The world champions, who defeated today’s opposition in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama, represented formidable opposition in front of a capacity crowd at Twickenham, but came unstuck thanks to Marcus Smith’s last-gasp penalty in an epic clash.
Manu Tuilagi and Freddie Steward notched early tries for England, but the former then had to be substituted with a hamstring injury.
The Springboks were well below par in the first half, but kept in touch courtesy of the boot of fly-half Handre Pollard.
South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ turned the momentum after the interval, but England would not be denied as young scrum-half Raffi Quirke touched down his first international try with momentum swinging breathlessly back and forth.
Up stepped Smith in the final moments to deliver an improbable and memorable win for England and Eddie Jones.
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Jones: Smith still a ‘work in progress’
Eddie Jones insisted that Marcus Smith remains a “work in progress” despite the fly-half’s match-winning role in England’s improbable victory over South Africa.
Smith held his nerve at the last to slot over a penalty in the 80th minute, and appeared comfortable running England’s attack without injured captain Owen Farrell alongside him.
Henry Slade also thrived in a midfield that lost Manu Tuilagi to a hamstring injury after the powerful centre had scored in the corner in the opening ten minutes.
Jones admitted that he was impressed with Smith’s performance but said it was too soon to declare the 22-year-old England’s starting fly-half for the foreseeable future.
“You can’t make those predictions. He’s a work in progress, and each game he’s going to get a little bit better,” he said.
Jones hails England ‘rebirth’ with eye on World Cup
Eddie Jones was asked if a winning autumn with a younger squad represents a new era for English rugby with the 2023 World Cup on the horizon.
He replied: “Yes, we said in the summer that the Lions tour draws a line in the sand, and that you need to regenerate and have a little bit of a rebirth to go to the World Cup.
“There’s some good players coming through but we’ve got some pretty good experienced players too.
“They feel comfortable within themselves, they want to be together, they want to work together.
“Our stated aim is to win the World Cup, so we want to be better in the next campaign.”
England player ratings
One crucial missed throw inside the South African 22 threatened to cost England and his first international scrummaging skirmishes were largely in reverse gear.
It was hoped that the loosehead might be able to defuse the threat of South Africa’s, but if anything England’s scrum was weakened.
Struggled at the scrum after his introduction and then the man sent to the sin bin as the penalties accumulated.
South Africa may feel the lock was fortunate not to be penalised (or more) for his arm to the head of a toppling Etzebeth.
On too late to have a real impact.
Quiet after his introduction.
Brought on surprisingly early and had a mixed half an hour or so. A gleeful canter for the line for his try but a charged down box-kick allowed South Africa to continue to turn the screw.
Pressed into early service after Tuilagi’s injury and settled in quickly. Produced two bits of a simply outstanding defence to keep South Africa out in the second half as the game began to swing the Springboks’ way.
Limited attacking chances.
England player ratings
Properly meatily met by opposite number Ox Nche in one first-half carry but reasonably solid at scrum-time before exiting early in the second half.
A little loose at lineout time even as England tried to protect his throwing vulnerabilities with calls to the front. His try-scoring run ends,
Ever lively in a competitive contest and unable to hide his glee at the early scrum penalty that helped set up England’s opening score.
Struggled at times at the set-piece after, though, and not quite as forceful in the carry as he might have liked.
One spectacular first half restart regather and typically busy, but out-played by the irrepressible Eben Etzebeth.
A step back after two impressive performances. England’s clearing work lacked accuracy at the ruck and Hill was largely unable to impose himself.
After achieving such heights against Tonga and producing another solid showing against Australia, perhaps not quite the performance the England captain might have liked. His side struggled with their discipline.
Reasonably quiet, one lovely flick off the floor aside, before being taken off soon after the players returned from the interval.
Understated at times but ever a menace at the breakdown and the busiest of England’s loose forward trio. Took the captaincy with Lawes off and perhaps took the wrong option with the penalty on halfway – Steward’s big boot might have had a chance.
Not that it mattered, in the end.
England player ratings
Utterly rock solid under the high ball, Steward continues to look totally at ease at international level. An appropriately punchy carry for his try having sashayed into space to make the initial break.
One of England’s top performers, as is becoming habit.
Forced into midfield by Tuilagi’s injury, and didn’t always look totally at home, but produced a telling burst to set up Quirke.
Simply delectable pass to put Steward into space in the build-up to the full-back’s score, and his wide ball to Tuilagi was efficiently executed under pressure, too.
A third crucial pass in the move for the third try, blindly throwing flat superbly at the line. One of his better performances in an England shirt.
One stretching of the legs was all Tuilagi could manage before making another injury-enforced exit. It was a valuable one, of course, putting England ahead in the corner, but his early departure perhaps portents yet more injury woe.
Struggled to get to grips with a game he was reasonably rarely involved in, fumbling and running aimlessly on occasion.
Guided England around well but his drop goal attempt in the dying first-half embers was bad, and the home side struggled to arrest momentum in the second half.
But few will remember that after Smith held his nerve to snatch victory for England in the throes and give Twickenham a first defining memory of their princely fly-half talent.
Sharp thinking to attack the blindside for Steward’s try but a couple of misdirected box-kicks spoiled, slightly, a reasonably quiet (and short) day. Taken off before 50 minutes, which was a surprise.
That’s what it means…
Full-time
England 27-26 South Africa
An incredible win for England, sealed by Marcus Smith.
Just remarkable. What a game!
PENALTY! England 27-26 South Africa | Marcus Smith 80′
What a moment for Smith, who has surely ensured that England beat the world champions at Twickenham.
Fabulous drama… and a great take from Stuart at the kick-off!
Tempers boil over once again. Etzebeth could be in trouble for that aerial challenge.
79 mins: Here come England and Jantjies gives away the penalty!
Then comes another and Smith will have the chance to win this with a kick from the tee from a central position.
Brilliant from England. Tempers boil over between both sets of players.
78 mins: England lose another line out after more fine work from Etzebeth.
But they have the ball back!
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