After a titanic test between the Springboks and England, England walked off the winner with 27-26. A last-minute penalty conversion by the home side gave them the victory.
England started like a house on fire forcing the Springboks into making several uncharacteristic mistakes. The Springboks did keep the scoreboard moving with converted penalties by Handré Pollard in the second quarter of the match, however, England was still in control at the end of the first half.
The ill-discipline of England kept South Africa in the game and eventually almost cost them the test while the Springboks decision-making will be questioned as they refused several easy convertible penalties.
06:19 In an emphatic statement by England Manu Tuilagi scored in the corner for the first try of the Test. England started like a house on fire dominating early proceedings against a lethargic Springbok team (07-00).
13:50 Handré Pollard converted his 1st penalty (07-03).
16:39 Freddie Steward scored England's second try. Useless defence by the Springboks made it easy for the home team (14-03).
20:00 England started the match showing clear intent while the Springboks were lethargic. Springboks who have been off form for a while now placing once again unnecessary pressure on the Springboks.
21:45 Handré Pollard converted his 2nd penalty (14-06).
23:43 Marcus Smith converted his 1st penalty (17-06).
26:03 Handré Pollard converted his 3rd penalty (17-09).
29:56 Handré Pollard converted his 4th penalty (17-12).
40:00 England started like a house on fire forcing the Springboks into making several uncharacteristic mistakes. The Springboks did keep the scoreboard moving with converted penalties by Handré Pollard in the second quarter of the match, however, England was still in control at the end of the first half.
54:07 Handré Pollard converted his 5th penalty (17-15).
60:00 A clear momentum shift with the Springboks' "bomb squad" dominating the home side's pack of forwards. However, two missed penalties by Handré Pollard could still be the difference between winning and losing.
63:06 Elton Jantjies converted the Springboks 6th penalty to give them the lead for the first time in the test (17-18).
64:14 England struck back immediately with Raffi Quirke scoring their 3rd try after again poor defence by the Springboks (24-18).
66:56 Will Steurt (England) was sent off with a yellow card.
68:30 Makazole Mapimpi scored the Springboks' 1st try after the forwards set up camp in England's red zone. Brilliant handling by the Springboks backs gave Mapimpi the space to go over in the corner (24-23).
72:32 Frans Steyn converted the Springboks 7th penalty (24-26).
75:09 Siya Kolisi (Springboks) was sent off with a yellow card.
79-39 Marcus Smith converted his 4th penalty to secure the win for England (27-26)
Scorers:
England: Try: Manu Tuilagi, Freddie Steward, Raffi Quirke. Conversion: Marcus Smith (3). Penalty: Marcus Smith.
Springboks: Try: Makazole Mapimpi. Penalties: Handré Pollard (5), Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn.
Teams:
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Joe Marchant, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Courtney Lawes (Captain), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie Blamire, 1 Bevan Rodd. 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: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard. 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nché. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Francois Steyn.