England 20-29 South Africa LIVE RESULT: Pressure grows on Borthwick as Red Rose suffer five straight defeats – updates
ENGLAND have suffered five straight defeats following a thrilling 29-20 loss to South Africa in the Autumn Internationals.
The effort and intent was there from Red Rose, but simple mistakes and unforced errors cost them on the day at Twickenham.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Steve Borthwick, with next week’s clash against Japan a huge game.
- Match result: England 20-29 South Africa
- England XV: Steward, Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme, Smith, Van Poortvliet, Earl, Underhill, Cunningham-South, Martin, Itoje, Stuart, George, Genge
- South Africa XV: Fassi, Kolbe, Kriel, De Allende, Arendse, Libbok, Williams, Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Snyman, Etzebeth, Louw, Mbonambi, Nche
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Qestions will be asked of direction
Steve Borthwick has been in his role for two years now.
Fans, pundits and the powers at be will be asking themselves whether they feel the team is in a better place now than when he first took over.
While the last three games have been against stellar opposition, sport is all about winning, something England are not doing right now.
As they prepare for another stab at the World Cup, they will need to consider whether they feel Steve Borthwick is the man to lead them to glory on the biggest stage.
Skipper tries to stay positive
After a third defeat on the spin at Twickenham, Jamie George has do his media responsiibilities and answer the difficult questions:
We are seeing a game of fine margins. The final piece is not quite there. We need to keep working hard and getting our heads down. The way South Africa attacked our breakdown was ferocious at times. I couldn't be more confident in the character of the people, not just players but staff as well.
Jamie GeorgeThe perfect rugby player exists
Cheslin Kolbe is given the man of the match award today.
He is strong, quick and reads play so well.
When he is at full-tilt, nobody can get anywhere near him but he is also able to stop on a sixpence before ramping up once again.
South Africa have some player here and he is constantly the thorn in the side of anyone the Springboks play.
Credit: Alamy
Springboks win without shining
This was by no means South Africa at their best.
However, in the moments where they did show their class, England had absolutely no answer.
Rassie Erasmus will be content that his team are able to win games when even not at their most convincing.
FT: England 20-29 South Africa
Once again England play well but just do not have that extra gear to go on and win the game.
Big questions will be asked of Steve Borthwick now.
Coaches are judged on results and not performances sadly.
Simple mistakes, poor consistency and unforced errors cost them again.
Credit: AFP FT: England 20-29 South Africa
England suffer a fifth defeat in a row.
It is their worst run for six years.
Borthwick's side lose three games in a row at home for the first time since 2006.
England 20-29 South Africa
79. Pollard attempts a drop goal to finish the game off but doesn't have angles spot on as it sails wide.
Hard to see an England comeback here now.
The hosts are still camped out in their own half.
England 20-29 South Africa
77. England give away another needless penalty.
The Springboks opt to go for touch rather than the posts.
It seems the best form of defence is attack right now.
England 20-29 South Africa
75. South Africa will be happy to see this one out now.
The win is all that matters to the visitors, not the margin.
England have to throw everything they have at them now.
Credit: PA
England 20-29 South Africa
73. Time is starting to run out for England.
They need to score a try soon if they are to have any chance of winning themselves in dramatic late fashion.
South Africa have remainied firm when under pressure and once again the visitors are awarded a penalty.
That is five visits to the Springbok twenty-two in this half without scoring a single point.
England 20-29 South Africa
71. England continue to put pressure on.
As Smith kicks for touch, within metres from the line.
The throw comes in and it is not straight and they give the Springboks another chance to clear their lines.
Simple mistakes from the hosts.
England 20-29 South Africa
69. Disappointing play from Borthwick's side.
They allow the Springboks to turn the ball over too easily.
Pollard kicks down to halfway to take the pressure of his defence.
Gerhard Steenekamp is shown a yellow card for an accumulation of fouls.
England 20-29 South Africa
67. England are awarded a penalty but Smith has to kick for touch.
With two tries now needed, going for the posts was never an option.
The hosts have to make this count now and get points on the board.
England 20-29 South Africa
65. England just seem to have no answer to Kolbe.
When he sees tackles coming in, he is able to come to a complete stop before getting going once again.
As Pollard adds the conversion, England need two tries to win this game now.
Credit: AFP Try - Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
England 20-22 South Africa
61. Both sides have opted to change their scrum-halves.
As we head into the final quarter of the game, both coaches feel this game is there to be won.
England are on the front foot now but give away a penalty and let the Springboks off the hook once again.
England 20-22 South Africa
59. What a superb kick from Pollard.
It strikes the top of the crossbar, flies into the air and drops the other side of the posts.
South Africa edge in front once again.
Penalty - Handre Pollard (South Africa)
England 20-19 South Africa
57. South Africa are awarded a penalty on the halfway line.
The Sprinboks surprisingly opt to go for the posts.
This is a big kick in the game.
England 20-19 South Africa
55. South Africa concede their first scrum penalty.
It gives the hosts a reprieve and they can take a breather now.
Erasmus will not be pleased to see that at such a crucial juction of this match.
Credit: PA England 20-19 South Africa
53. Finally the hosts have regained the lead.
After the disappointment of having the try disallowed, Smith sends a penalty through the uprights to change that.
Van Poortvliet has been under so much pressure this evening, he tries to dink a kick forward but it is blocked.
Penalty - Marcus Smith (England)
England 17-19 South Africa
51. Well both sides have had tries struck off now.
TMO and the referee have been busy in the opening ten minutes of this half.
George is not happy with the decision and lets the officials know.
Try disallowed
England 22-19 South Africa
49. Once again Marcus Smith is key for this team.
His pass opens up play and then Slade is all on his own out wide to run in for a try.
TMO is looking for a potential neck roll in the build-up however.