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England 13-27 South Africa LIVE! Rugby match stream, result, updates, reaction, TV for Autumn Nations Series

England vs South Africa - LIVE!

England ended a frustrating 2022 on a real low note as they were dominated by the Springboks on home soil. Eddie Jones’ side were thoroughly second-best for the second straight week in their Autumn Nations Series finale, but this time there was no last-gasp comeback to spare their blushes and paper over the cracks.

South Africa got a brilliant try from the record-equalling Kurt-Lee Arendse and another from close range from Eben Etzebeth, bullying England all over the park - particularly at scrum time - and getting 11 points from the boot of Faf de Klerk as well as two opportunistic drop goals from Damian Willemse.

Henry Slade’s late score gave the hosts flickers of hope of another fightback following a red card for replacement Boks prop Thomas du Toit, but they never threatened another famous rally as they finished the calendar year with more losses than wins as the 2023 World Cup looms large on the horizon. Follow England vs South Africa reaction live below, with expert analysis from Nick Purewal at Twickenham.

England vs South Africa latest news

  • FT: England 13-27 South Africa

  • Nick Purewal’s match report

  • England player ratings

  • Jones insists England are heading in ‘right direction’

Owen Farrell reaction

20:55 , George Flood

Farrell insists that an iffy ankle was not to blame for his inaccuracy from the tee...

“It has not worked out today and we were not able to show the best of ourselves but we have put in some good work over the past five weeks and we have to make sure that is not for nothing,” the England skipper told Amazon Prime Video.

“We lacked a bit of accuracy and bite at times. The game was really slow to start which they are very good at. We didn’t get our teeth stuck in much like that Argentina game, we must learn to do better.

“My ankle is alright it was just a couple of bad kicks. We are hurting but this team will learn from it and come back strong.”

Eddie Jones reaction

20:51 , George Flood

A tetchy end to Amazon Prime Video’s post-match interview with Eddie Jones, as transcribed by BBC Sport.

He insists that England are on the right path ahead of the World Cup and took full responsibility for the abject showing, not liking a question on his own abilities.

“We are disappointed we didn’t play how we wanted to,” he said. “We did a few things at the start of the game and got a bit disappointed and dropped our energy a bit. It took until the game had gone to start playing how we wanted to.

“South Africa do things to you that are sometimes difficult to deal with. In the first half, they won all the air and we were on the back foot all the time. We have to win the air, particularly on a day like today, and we didn’t.

“We are disappointed with our performance today but it’s 11 months until the World Cup and a lot can happen. We will rise to the occasion and we have a good group of players but we didn’t land a shot like we wanted to today. You have to win contests.

“We didn’t win the air or the set-piece so it’s hard to get in the game. We lost two of the key contests but we will improve in those areas. Results tell you everything and that is what we are judged by but I feel like there is growth in the team, which we have seen, but wasn’t evident today.

“I think about where we are going towards a World Cup. Obviously we want to win games and be successful but are we moving in the right direction? Yes, we are.

“I have coached for a number of years and I believe I can coach well. People will say what they say, and there are ups and downs in sport but we didn’t play well today and I apologise for that, it’s entirely my fault.”

England player ratings

20:49 , George Flood

Replacements

Luke Cowan-Dickie (for George, 41) 5

Stabilised the scrum but could not add much more.

Ellis Genge (for M Vunipola, 41) 5

Put himself about but could not inspire a comeback.

Will Stuart (for Sinckler, 41) 5

Looked decent enough but appeared to suffer another injury.

David Ribbans (for Coles, 46) 6

One of the few bright sparks of this autumn. Must feature more.

Sam Simmonds (for B Vunipola, 56) 5

Had precious little chance to show his skillset.

Ben Youngs (for Van Poortvliet, 66) 6

Quick thinking yielded England’s only try.

Henry Slade (for Smith, 60) 6

Deserves so much more rugby in this team. Adds immediate backline balance.

Jack Nowell (for Freeman, 41) 5

Struggled to impose himself again.

England player ratings

20:48 , George Flood

Forwards

Mako Vunipola 4

Bested at the scrum alongside his fellow starting front-rowers.

Jamie George 4

Could not cope with the Springboks power.

Kyle Sinckler 4

Withdrawn with the rest of the front row at the break, struggled to make an impact.

Maro Itoje 5

Jones hailed his “second coming” this week but the Saracens totem was second best here.

Jonny Hill 3

Naive, niggly and petulant in conceding two needless and costly penalties. Hard men do not faff about like this.

Alex Coles 5

Struggled to impose himself on the contest.

Tom Curry 5

Sin bin was inevitable for England’s overall showing but the flanker was played off the park.

Billy Vunipola 5

Could not generate any power to his game at all.

England player ratings

20:47 , George Flood

Backs

Freddie Steward 5

Battled manfully with the aerial bombardment but England were awfully aligned and rightly punished.

Tommy Freeman 4

Withdrawn at half-time after a pretty miserable outing in which nothing went right.

Manu Tuilagi 4

Has done so well simply to be back playing but yet to rediscover his power game.

Owen Farrell 4

Fluffed two regulation shots at goal and struggled to impose himself.

Jonny May 4

Criminally underused and left to look for work in vain.

Marcus Smith 4

Unable to make any magic happen in a chastening afternoon that looked to leave him with an injury.

Jack van Poortvliet 5

Pushed where he could but England were overwhelmed in all areas.

Nick Purewal’s match report

20:05 , George Flood

The smallest player on the pitch posed the biggest problems as 14-man South Africa claimed their second-biggest Twickenham win over a naïve, sloppy and immature England, writes Nick Purewal.

Kurt-Lee Arendse’s searing score left England clutching at thin air in attempting to tackle the wispy wing, making a mockery of England’s idea of needing massive men all over the park.

South Africa lost replacement prop Thomas du Toit to a red card with 20 minutes to play – and still seemed comfortable in holding on for their victory.

The Springboks have only ever bettered their 27-13 victory margin at Twickenham once, in the 29-11 triumph of November 1997.

England rallied for a late score through Henry Slade, but that strike was too little, too late from Eddie Jones’ muddled, bested and humbled hosts.

Click here to read Nick’s match report in full

 (Action Images via Reuters)
(Action Images via Reuters)

Franco Mostert reaction

19:54 , George Flood

“We knew it would be tough and we worked hard this week,” the bloodied Boks flanker told Amazon Prime Video. “Credit to the England boys, it was a tough match but we will enjoy the win.

“It was a hard game but hats off to our forwards. We had some big conversations with each other this week and it paid off. If you lose by two points against Ireland or France, it is never good to lose, but you learn so much out if it. Hopefully we will do well next year.”

Siya Kolisi reaction

19:53 , George Flood

“It is a big relief for us, we have been working really hard over the past few months,” the Boks skipper told Amazon Prime Video.

“I know some results haven’t gone our way by the way we play but we are still grateful to get the kind of support we are getting from back home.

“England were tough at the beginning but we just stuck to our guns and tweaked a few things. We will risk it all as it is worth it, we need to find answers before the World Cup but at the same time respecting England.

“It is not that much of a difference but we are just seeing opportunities which we didn’t in the past.”

Full-time

19:33 , George Flood

England 13-27 South Africa

A really frustrating evening for England, who were second-best once again in all areas and no last-gasp comeback to paper over the cracks.

Springboks superb and full value for their dominant victory.

19:32 , George Flood

80 mins: One last indiscretion from Hill with the clock in the red, tipping a man dangerously at the ruck.

The Boks are going to kick for touch here and aim to finish with a flourish.

But it misses and goes dead! The full-time whistle sounds.

19:29 , George Flood

79 mins: Plenty of hugs for Arendse as he goes off late on. He joined Danie Gerber and the late Chester Williams as the only Springboks to score tries in six successive matches.

Moodie on.

19:26 , George Flood

77 mins: We should mention that Hendrikse replaced the injured De Klerk for South Africa and Roos came back on due to that Kolisi HIA.

Sinckler back on for Stuart for England.

19:25 , George Flood

76 mins: Replacement England tighthead Stuart yells out in pain and may have a serious arm or shoulder injury here. That did not look good.

19:22 , George Flood

75 mins: Time is slipping away from England now as an attack goes awry and the scrum takes an age to get set again, with binding problems rearing their head once more.

England have been punished for not binding properly a lot tonight.

Sam Simmonds on for Billy Vunipola.

19:19 , George Flood

73 mins: De Klerk is indeed carted off with his leg in a brace. We hope that’s not as bad as it looked.

There’s also confusion here before Boks skipper Kolisi is ordered off for a HIA.

Credit to the medical staff and officials for making sure that happened.

Watch: Slade try gives England flicker of hope

19:19 , George Flood

19:17 , George Flood

72 mins: We’ve had a long delay here for a serious-looking injury to De Klerk, who may need to be stretchered off.

TRY! England 13-27 South Africa | Henry Slade 71’

19:15 , George Flood

71 mins: England have their first try!

Replacement scrum-half Youngs takes the quick tap penalty and sprints forward supported by Genge, feeding Farrell.

Farrell is brought down close to the line and England move the ball quickly, Youngs firing for Slade, who gets over.

Farrell adds the extras. They couldn’t do it again... could they?

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(Getty Images)

19:13 , George Flood

70 mins: England have to find something in this last 10 minutes.

They attack with an advantage after Nowell - taking in Farrell’s kick and shrugging off a number of would-be tacklers, then cutting in-field - breaks clear down the right flank and they quickly switch the ball left.

We come back for the penalty and they take the quick tap, weaving into the 22...

19:11 , George Flood

69 mins: Slade has been on for a while for England, replacing Smith.

The Boks have sent on Libbok and Malherbe, Mapimpi sacrificed after Du Toit’s red.

19:09 , George Flood

67 mins: Yet more frustration for England as Marx gets over the ball at the breakdown and earns another Boks penalty, which is boomed downfield and into touch.

This has been some display from South Africa, it must be said. So disciplined and sharp in practically every area.

19:06 , George Flood

66 mins: This just isn’t going to plan for England in any shape or form.

They look certain to score as a sharp attack moves left, but they are halted and another lineout is then stolen by the Boks.

So sloppy from Eddie Jones’ side tonight and he won’t be a happy man up in the coaches box.

19:05 , George Flood

63 mins: An England clearance hits the spider cam!

A lineout is stolen by the sharp Boks, but England could be in business here as they force a penalty after a scrum deep inside the South Africa 22...

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

19:04 , George Flood

South Africa were in total control, then replacement prop Thomas du Toit smashed into Luke Cowan-Dickie’s head.

The red card was inevitable, and handed England an undeserved glimmer of hope.

A penny for Rassie Erasmus’ thoughts...no doubt he’ll deliver them on social media in due course.

Red card: Thomas du Toit (South Africa)

19:00 , George Flood

60 mins: End-to-end stuff for a moment there as both sides launch attacks, but the TMO wants to look at something here.

Du Toit is in major trouble, Twickenham outraged after footage is shown of a nasty, dangerous shoulder to the head of Cowan-Dickie.

A red card, all day long. It doesn’t take much of a review to confirm.

England will play the last 20 minutes with a man advantage. Can they capitalise?

Le Roux off, Moodie on.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

18:57 , George Flood

59 mins: To bring you up to date with all the changes, David Ribbans is on for England, replacing Northampton team-mate Coles.

Van Staden, Marx, Kitshoff and Smith all on for the Boks.

PENALTY! England 6-27 South Africa | Faf de Klerk 58'

18:55 , George Flood

58 mins: What a kick from De Klerk, who has rebounded very nicely from that early miss.

The scoreboard keeps ticking over. South Africa now lead by 21 points with just over 20 minutes remaining.

18:54 , George Flood

56 mins: This is harrowing viewing from an England perspective now.

They have got nothing in response, with South Africa dominating every facet of the game.

England are a man light at the scrum and it’s certainly showing as the Boks get another penalty.

But rather than go for the lineout, they will kick for another three points. Quite a distance, this...

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

18:50 , George Flood

England have come into this second half determined to turn everything into a scrap. This has just backfired in major style.

Watch: Etzebeth try piles on England misery

18:50 , George Flood

TRY! England 6-24 South Africa | Eben Etzebeth 49'

18:46 , George Flood

49 mins: The Boks have their second try!

Centre De Allende powers down close to the line.

Itoje has his hands on the ball ahead of De Klerk, but it’s muscled back and over in a show of real strength from towering lock Etzebeth.

A simple conversion is made and struggling England trail by 18.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Yellow card: Tom Curry (England)

18:45 , George Flood

48 mins: A ridiculous penalty given away by Hill, hauling in De Klerk at the ruck sees the Boks kick for another lineout deep inside the England 22.

England are audibly told that they are still on a warning and a free kick is then aimed towards Mapimpi down that left flank.

Curry the latest man to give away the penalty at the breakdown and he is sent to the bin for 10 minutes.

PENALTY! England 6-17 South Africa | Owen Farrell 46’

18:43 , George Flood

46 mins: No mistake from Farrell this time.

England respond, with the Boks’ lead cut back to 11 points.

18:42 , George Flood

44 mins: Finally some joy for England after a great take from Steward, with confusion among the Springbok defensive ranks.

They attack on the front foot with an advantage and Smith the orchestrator.

We’ll come back for the penalty, which Farrell will kick at goal.

Smith down and receiving treatment now...

DROP GOAL! England 3-17 South Africa | Damian Willemse 41'

18:38 , George Flood

41 mins: South Africa are straight on the front foot after the interval and Willemse nails a second drop goal!

All hell then breaks loose with a big scrap, with Etzebeth and Genge at the centre.

Tempers running high at Twickenham.

It takes a while to diffuse and due to confusion about just what started that and who the main aggressors were, there are no retrospective punishments.

Just a stern warning for both sets of players.

18:37 , George Flood

Back underway at Twickenham, with Eddie Jones making FOUR changes at half-time.

The whole front row is switched, with Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart replacing Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler.

Jack Nowell is also on for Tommy Freeman on the wing.

18:34 , George Flood

Lovely words on Doddie from the Amazon Prime Video crew.

Doddie Weir tribute

18:33 , George Flood

A tribute to late Scotland and Lions great Doddie Weir at half-time at Twickenham.

Here is the full story from Nick Purewal on Weir’s death aged 52 after a brave six-year battle with motor neurone disease.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Watch: Arendse scores brilliant first-half try

18:27 , George Flood

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

18:25 , George Flood

Sloppiness is haunting England at Twickenham from the off, just like last week against New Zealand.

A loose high ball from Marcus Smith gifted South Africa a counter-attack, and two passes later Arendse was across the whitewash.

Another slow start from England, and that score had the Springboks sharpening up.

PENALTY! England 3-14 South Africa | Faf de Klerk 41'

18:21 , George Flood

41 mins: De Klerk duly does the honours.

The half-time whistle sounds and South Africa head into the interval 14-3 ahead and having dominated the last 20 minutes of a rather dull first half at Twickenham lit up by Arendse’s special, record-equalling try.

England started well and with intensity, but dropped off alarmingly thereafter.

18:19 , George Flood

39 mins: Another England penalty leaked, with Curry now the man penalised.

The hosts receive another warning for their repeated ill-discipline.

A penalty try is going to follow at some point if England can’t clean this up.

Instead De Klerk will try to make this an 11-point lead at the break as the clock ticks into the red.

18:17 , George Flood

37 mins: Vunipola’s infringement at the breakdown has South Africa rolling once more.

England are really under the cosh now and losing their discipline.

18:15 , George Flood

35 mins: England are holding on a bit here before half-time!

It’s another blistering Boks attack, with Arendse darting forward once more before a dangerous ball through is swept up crucially by Steward.

TRY! England 3-11 South Africa | Kurt-Lee Arendse 33'

18:11 , George Flood

33 mins: What a try!

The Sprinboks counter-attack wonderfully, with Willemse easily dodging the chasing Steward after taking in the high ball.

He charges forward and finds Le Roux, who then tees up the flying Arendse.

Arendse turns on the jets and fools Smith with a magnificent step outside before racing in to score the first try of the evening.

The conversion is missed. 11-3 it remains.

 (Action Images via Reuters)
(Action Images via Reuters)

DROP GOAL! England 3-6 South Africa | Damian Willemse 31'

18:09 , George Flood

31 mins: The Boks are ahead!

They work through the phases in England territory and fly-half Willemse decides to dispatch a well-taken drop goal less than 10 minutes before the interval.

18:07 , George Flood

28 mins: So many stoppages inside this first half an hour, not too much running rugby with set-pieces and penalties aplenty.

England get the whistle at the scrum, but South Africa are promptly back on the attack.

Another scrum is called for after a knock-on from Steward trying to claim a ball in the air.

18:03 , George Flood

26 mins: Kolisi is driven over and tries desperately to ground the first try of the evening, but he’s clearly held up.

Evan Roos eventually touches it down but play was already stopped.

England kick clear but quickly knock-on, with South Africa put-in at the latest scrum despite the home side’s protestations.

The hosts are suddenly under the cosh with plenty of defending to do.

18:00 , George Flood

24 mins: South Africa kick for a lineout deep inside the England 22 and work it well, quickly getting that rolling maul driving.

The momentum is halted and they break right, with De Klerk’s pass bouncing off the hands of Le Roux and into Farrell’s possession near the line.

But the Boks were playing with another advantage. Two side entries and a collapse at the maul leads to a warning from the referee for England.

Another Farrell penalty miss

17:57 , George Flood

22 mins: Ugly again from Farrell as England are awarded another penalty at the breakdown and he pulls another wide of the posts.

Smith will take over kicking duties if this carries on.

Farrell is mostly so solid from the tee, but he is capable of these sorts of nights.

PENALTY! England 3-3 South Africa | Faf de Klerk 19'

17:53 , George Flood

19 mins: Like Farrell, De Klerk atones for his opening miss.

All square once more at Twickenham.

17:52 , George Flood

17 mins: Good pressure from the Boks as they get into the England 22 for the first time.

There is a hold around the neck that gives them an advantage, with fly-half Willemse deciding to use the free hit to aim a dangerous chip that bounces menacingly behind the try line before being carried over by a sliding May.

We’ll come back for that neck grab from Coles, with Kolisi pointing to the posts.

Another attempt coming up from De Klerk.

17:49 , George Flood

15 mins: England are showing plenty of willingness and intent to attack with ball in hand when they get the chance here.

Smith in particular is popping up everywhere, igniting the moves out the back and then popping back up at first receiver in a flash, linking things nicely.

Some lovely hands on display again, but Smith’s latest pass is shunted by Farrell into the arms of Tuilagi, clearly a mile forward.

PENALTY! England 3-0 South Africa | Owen Farrell 12'

17:46 , George Flood

12 mins: The next scrum takes an age to get properly set, with both front rows repeatedly warned over not leaving enough of a gap.

It looks like Malherbe and Etzebeth have demolished Mako Vunipola and Co there, but the penalty somehow goes England’s way!

Farrell steps up again and atones for his earlier error, splitting the uprights with his second kick from the tee.

England lead 3-0.

Farrell botches simple penalty

17:41 , George Flood

7 mins: England attack well to the right off the back of a lineout, with Tuilagi getting over the gain line and Farrell and Smith connecting well, as well as the Vunipola brothers.

England bring it back left a little bit more sluggishly, but there was a gorgeous one-handed offload from Itoje in there.

We come back for an offside penalty against South Africa at the lineout.

Farrell botches a very straightforward kick to give England the lead! Hideous.

A missed kick apiece early on here.

Faf de Klerk misses chance to give Springboks lead

17:37 , George Flood

5 mins: South Africa get the advantage at the first scrum, earning a penalty which is MISSED by De Klerk!

He’ll want that one back. 0-0 it remains.

17:36 , George Flood

Some very sad news to bring you regarding Scotland and Lions great Doddie Weir, who has sadly died at the age of 52 after a six-year battle with motor neurone disease that saw him raise so much money for charity.

Rest in peace, Doddie.

17:34 , George Flood

2 mins: A lively opening as there’s an early turnover and then an uncertain start for Steward, who knocks on to give South Africa the put-in at the first scrum.

KICK-OFF

17:32 , George Flood

We are underway in England’s final match of the autumn!

Can they make it back-to-back victories over the Springboks?

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

17:27 , George Flood

Manu Tuilagi would be earning his 135th cap tonight if he had played every England Test since his 2011 debut.

Instead, the Sale centre will become England’s second slowest star to reach 50 caps, behind only Simon Shaw.

England need the Samoa-born powerhouse to hit full physicality to take charge against the ever-robust Springboks.

17:25 , George Flood

A rousing reception for Tuilagi as he comes out before his team-mates in recognition of his 50th England Test cap.

The rest of the players follow, with the music blaring, lights flashing and fire blasting.

Quite a show. Time for the national anthems!

‘God Save the King’ will follow The National Anthem of South Africa.

17:24 , George Flood

The usual Twickenham pre-match light and pyrotechnic show is just drawing to a close.

The atmosphere is bouncing as the players prepare to emerge from the tunnel.

17:13 , George Flood

Very wise words from excellent rugby commentator Nick Mullins...

17:12 , George Flood

Final preparations at Twickenham. Kick-off is now less than 20 minutes away!

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (PA)
(PA)

17:02 , George Flood

The first win of the afternoon for England as Owen Farrell triumphs in the coin toss over fellow skipper Siya Kolisi.

Farrell opts to kick-off, with South Africa playing from left to right in the first half.

Barnes celebration CANCELLED amid Erasmus fallout

16:53 , George Flood

Fears over crowd abuse have seen a celebration of Wayne Barnes’ 100-Test refereeing career cancelled at Twickenham, writes Nick Purewal.

Barnes was due to be presented to the crowd at half-time of England’s Autumn Nations Series clash with South Africa today.

But the continued fallout from Rassie Erasmus’ social media criticism of officials led to the celebratory event being shelved.

South Africa rugby director Erasmus was conspicuous by his absence at Twickenham for the final Test of the autumn, with the Springboks chief completing his two-game suspension from matchday activities.

Erasmus hit out at Barnes’ officiating in South Africa’s 30-26 defeat by France in Paris on November 12, where Pieter-Steph du Toit was rightly red carded.

Click here to read the full story

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

16:44 , George Flood

Of course the most widely-held theory on Rassie’s antics - and further highlighted by Nienaber’s comments this week - is that it is helping to foster the sort of siege mentality that has served the Boks so well in the past.

“Whenever you’ve won something, you need to find the motivation to do it again and maybe it is a clever way to find motivation,” Jones said this week.

Jones: We must respect referees

16:33 , George Flood

Eddie Jones joked that Erasmus might pull a Jose Mourinho at Twickenham this evening as he serves the second week of his latest ban, having also been barred from the Italy Test in Genoa last Saturday.

“He might come in a laundry box,” joked the England head coach. “That’s been done before hasn’t it? I’m sure he will get in there somehow. The only thing I’d say is that we have to respect the referees and look after the referees. They’re an important part of our game.”

Expanding on that latter point after his own controversies in the past, Jones added: “Since [1998] I have accepted the fact we shouldn’t speak about referees.

“To me it’s simple. Play the game, the referee’s in charge, if he makes mistakes let’s accept it. If we want to have a contest game, referees are going to make mistakes. If we don’t let’s play basketball, let’s call it basketball. I’m not perfect.

“I’ve said things that probably haven’t been right but the longer I’ve coached the more I accept we’ve got to look after the referees.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

16:28 , George Flood

Here’s more from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber on those “facts” that have not yet been made public...

“I think it probably will come out,” he added.

“There’s a lot of confidentiality that we’re not allowed to talk about with media. It’s stuff we can’t discuss but we know the facts, we share with the players and everyone within the group.

“We can’t control narratives of other people’s opinion about us. Whatever people think about us, they think about us but we know what happens inside and how we are.”

Nienaber on Erasmus row

16:25 , George Flood

There have been plenty of jokes and jibes made about the Erasmus situation this week, but ultimately it’s a very serious issue for rugby to confront.

Wayne Barnes is understood to have received a torrent of vile abuse and even death threats aimed at his family from trolls after the sarcastic tweets from the Springboks director of rugby that criticised his refereeing in their defeat in Paris.

There have been suggestions that referees are now even sceptical about officiating South Africa as a result.

When quizzed about Erasmus’ latest ban this week, head coach Jacques Nienaber suggested he was focused on the game but that all the facts had not been made public that could change the swell of opinion on the whole matter.

“From our side we focus on rugby,” he said. “We’re a tight-knit unit and team, everyone knows what’s going on, we’re open and transparent to everybody.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“Sometimes it’s, I don’t want to say disappointing, what would the right word be? Maybe disappointing is the right word, when there’s only certain facts that go out and then people from the outside, who only have those facts available, form an opinion and give an opinion on something that happened and obviously they don’t know all the facts.

“It is quite sad if you think about it. I think if all the facts are out there that people will probably form a different opinion.

“I’m not pointing figures at anybody, I don’t want to get involved in this, but for us as a group we know about everything, we’re transparent, we share everything with the players and we know all the facts and unfortunately things went that way, but for us the main thing is to focus on rugby and make sure we prepare our players mentally to be ready for a big test against England on Saturday.”

Jones impressed by Tuilagi changes

16:11 , George Flood

Jones also spoke this week of Tuilagi 2.0, who hasn’t set this autumn series alight but has remained fit and involved - something he’s sadly struggled to do with much consistency over the last 11 years.

But the boss has been impressed with his altered approach to fitness as he hopes to have him involved for next year’s World Cup in France.

“It’s not that Manu wasn’t diligent before, but now he’s much more deliberate about what’s good for his body and what’s not,” Jones said.

“On one occasion, on his day off, he went and played golf and, for some reason, the golf swing aggravated part of his back.

“He’s like that one-mile sprinter racehorse - his muscles are finely tuned and, if they are a little bit off, he can have problems.”

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(Getty Images)

England still driven by 2019 World Cup final defeat, says Jones

16:03 , George Flood

England’s players have expressed mixed emotions regarding that 2019 World Cup final defeat by the Springboks in Yokohama, with Jonny May saying he moved on quickly but Mako Vunipola admitting that it would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Eddie Jones is certainly more in the latter camp, insisting that his team are still driven by memories of that haunting defeat and the desire to seek more revenge after toppling South Africa at Twickenham 12 months ago thanks to Marcus Smith’s late penalty.

“You never forget that moment when you’re standing on the field and you see the opposition getting their gold medals,” he said.

“You hear the crowd going crazy and you’re standing there like a spectator. All the work you’ve done over a long period of time means nothing to you at that point in time.

“That never leaves you and there will always be something in the players who played in that game.

“You can never change the result but you can change the feeling you have and that’s the opportunity for a number of our players this weekend.”

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15:51 , George Flood

The early scene at Twickenham...

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England must solve attacking conundrum to lay down marker

15:47 , George Flood

England are standing at a World Cup 2023 crossroads of contradiction and conundrum, writes Nick Purewal.

Eddie Jones’s men will reach the end of the road in October 2023 as either one or the other — and today’s Twickenham tussle with South Africa will go a long way to plotting their fate at next year’s global gathering.

The contradiction manifests itself in both last weekend’s bipolar performance to draw with New Zealand, and this week’s conflicting reviews of their 2019 World Cup Final defeat.

The conundrum centres on England’s attacking rhythm — Jones wants his side to confound opponents with a genre-busting offensive repertoire.

But do England boast all the right notes, just not yet in the right order, or are they stuck in the wrong key? Contradiction number one must be considered as England’s 70-minute failure against the All Blacks last weekend, as set against the 10-minute triumph that yielded three stunning tries to scramble the 25-25 draw.

Click here to read Nick’s full match preview

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50 up for Manu Tuilagi

15:39 , George Flood

We saw Owen Farrell bring up his century of England Test caps against New Zealand last weekend.

This evening Manu Tuilagi hits 50, some 11 years after his international debut in the build-up to the 2011 World Cup.

You wonder what that number would be had the great hope of English rugby for more than a decade not been so relentlessly dogged by injury.

It’s difficult to fathom that Tuilagi was already an established member of the team when Farrell made his debut in the 2012 Six Nations.

15:34 , George Flood

Here’s Rassie’s reaction to that World Rugby dialogue...

Banned Erasmus holds ‘positive talks’ with World Rugby

15:31 , George Flood

Ahead of today’s game, South Africa have released their first statement since last week on the ongoing controversy that continues to surround the banned Rassie Erasmus and his divisive social media habits that first caused controversy on last summer’s Lions tour.

No apology, just confirmation that World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin and director of rugby Phil Davies had both met with Erasmus and enganged in “positive discussions regarding recent events and match official communications in general”.

“Views were exchanged resulting in a better understanding of the respective positions,” read a Boks statement.

“There was agreement that further dialogue was needed in terms of enhancing the process that operates between teams and match officials to ensure all can play their part in creating great spectacles and avoid frustration but in a way that underpins the respect for match officials, coaches and players.“Further dialogue will continue after today’s final Springbok test of the year.”

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England vs South Africa officials

15:26 , George Flood

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)

Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

England vs South Africa prediction

15:17 , George Flood

England were well below par for much of the game against New Zealand before that crazy finish, with their pack particularly struggling and firmly second best at the set-piece.

Improving that has been the chief focus for what promises to be a furious, blood-and-thunder encounter with the Boks, who pride themselves on brute strength and overwhelming physicality.

If they can stand up to that challenge, then England should be able to compete with the world champions, who are far from infallible as showcased by those losses in Dublin and Paris.

But be found wanting in that department and South Africa will take full advantage, with threats all over the park despite a somewhat depleted selection.

England to shade a close encounter.

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England vs South Africa lineups

15:16 , George Flood

England XV: Steward; Freeman, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May; Smith, Van Poortvliet; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Coles, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Ribbans, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Nowell.

South Africa XV: Le Roux; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Mapimpi; Willemse, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Orie, Kolisi (c), Mostert, Roos.

Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Du Toit, Van Staden, Smith, Hendrikse, Libbok, Moodie.

South Africa team news

15:15 , George Flood

As this match falls outside of the international Test window, South Africa are without their European-based players in Cheslin Kolbe, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach and Andre Esterhuizen.

Lock Eben Etzebeth, utility back Jesse Kriel, wing Makazole Mapimpi and dynamic No8 Evan Roos all come in after the 63-21 trouncing of Italy in Genoa last weekend, a game that was close at half-time until the ultra-physical Boks pulled away dramatically in the second period.

Damian de Allende has been moved to inside centre and Kurt-Lee Arendse swaps wings, with Pieter-Steph du Toit suspended and the likes of Lukhanyo Am among the injury absentees.

Canan Moodie is back from injury to take a seat on the bench, where head coach Jacques Nienaber has had to draft in South Africa ‘A’ players to cover the shortfall in Thomas du Toit, Marco van Staden and Jaden Hendrikse.

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England team news

15:10 , George Flood

England have made four changes to the team that started that thriller against the All Blacks last weekend.

Eddie Jones has brought in Mako Vunipola and Jamie George into a front row that were dominated by New Zealand in place of Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie, who will be tasked with coming on later to deal with the threat of South Africa’s infamous ‘bomb squad’.

England revert quickly back to three lineout jumpers, with versatile Northampton lock Alex Coles earning only his second cap at blindside flanker as Sam Simmonds drops to the bench.

One change in the backs, with Saints flyer Tommy Freeman preferred to Jack Nowell out wide in his first appearance since the summer tour of Australia.

Interesting to see Jones drop two of his vice-captains in Genge and Nowell.

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How to watch England vs South Africa

15:05 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: Today’s match will be available to watch live on Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service available on multiple platforms including smart televisions, phones, tablets and laptops.

A subscription to Amazon Prime currently costs £8.99 per month in the UK.

Welcome to England vs South Africa LIVE coverage!

15:01 , George Flood

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s final LIVE coverage of a thrilling 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

Here our focus is on events at Twickenham, where England close out an eventful year against South Africa in only the second meeting between the two nations since the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama.

Can Eddie Jones’ side build on their incredible late comeback against the All Blacks to lay down another marker ahead of next year’s global tournament in France, or will the Springboks defy the absence of their European-based players and brush aside the latest Rassie Erasmus controversy to finish a patchy month on a high?

Kick-off in south-west London is at 5:30pm GMT, so stay tuned for live updates, all the match build-up and latest team news, including expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the ground.

This should be anything but dull!

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