England vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn Nations Series

England welcome South Africa to Twickenham in a mouthwatering rematch of the World Cup final two years on.

The Springboks battled past Eddie Jones’ side on the big stage and edged out the British and Irish Lions 2-1 this summer. They enter the match in fine form too, having surged past Scotland last week to lock up a 30-15 victory at Murrayfield.

The Boks poses what Richard Cockerill claims to be a daunting task: “Physically from a scrum, set-piece and line-out point of view, there isn’t a harder team to play against in the world at the moment.”

But this is a very different England side, packed with guile and invention, namely in the shape of 22-year-old Marcus Smith, which played out in the 32-15 win over Australia last weekend.

Jones has proven daring with his surprise selections and believes that unpredictability can unsettle the world champions: “The whole team is up for the fight. I’ve never seen a team as ready to play against South Africa. We know exactly how we want to play, we know exactly where we think there is a weakness with South Africa and we’ve just got to go out there and execute. And execute with a spirit of adventure, a spirit of taking the English game where it’s never been before. We know this South African team is the best in the world at the moment. So there’s a great opportunity for us to prove ourselves.”

Follow live updates, build-up, analysis and reaction from Twickenham in this colossal match-up following the conclusion of Scotland vs Japan:

England vs South Africa

• 7’ - TRY! Tuilagi drives home to give England early advantage, 7-0

• 7’ - INJURY: Tuilagi is off after injuring himself scoring, Malins is his replacement

• 18’ - TRY! Steward with a powerful finish to maintain early momentum and rock the Boks, 14-3

• 48’ - MISS! Pollard with a second successive skewed kick, England let off and remain up 17-12

• 66’ - TRY! Quirke with a breathtaking breakaway try as England retake the lead, 24-18

• 69’ - TRY! Pure power from the Boks and Mapimpi is in, but Jantjies misses the extras, it’s still England with the lead, 24-23

• 73’ - PENALTY! Steyn keeps his nerve, slots this one and the Boks lead, 26-24

• 80’ - PENALTY! Smith nails it, England snatch victory, incredible noise at Twickenham, 27-26

England 27-26 South Africa, 80 minutes

17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Freddie Steward leaps, tumbles...PENALTY TO ENGLAND! SOUTH AFRICA CRASH INTO THE FULL-BACK IN THE AIR AND THAT WILL SEAL IT FOR ENGLAND!

PENALTY! ENGLAND 27-26 South Africa (Marcus Smith, 80 minutes)

17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TWICKENHAM ROARS! It’s between the posts! South Africa will restart but England lead with time expiring!

England 24-26 South Africa, 79 minutes

17:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

PENALTY TO ENGLAND! AND IT IS RIGHT IN FRONT! Frans Steyn slides nastily into a tackled Marcus Smith on his knees and England will surely have a shot to win it after the players finish scuffling...

England 24-26 South Africa, 78 minutes

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Knock ons both ways! Will Stuart is back on and England nearly find space as they now have a man advantage, but a South African hands sends the final pass out of reach for the player on the end of the line.

England 24-26 South Africa, 76 minutes

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa pinch the ball! Nic Dolly fails to hit his jumper and South Africa are able to clear!

16:58 , Jack Rathborn

YELLOW CARD! Siya Kolisi is sent to the sin bin! England 24-26 South Africa, 75 minutes

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s yellow! Kolisi leapt for the ball but was there second and beneath Joe Marchant. It’s a yellow card for certain.

What do England do? It’s one metre inside their half, left of centre, Freddie Steward has a big boot...

Marcus Smith pushes England into the South Africa 22.

England 24-26 South Africa, 75 minutes

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Drama! It is panto season as Twickenham boos as they hear a whistle blow with Henry Slade cantering away with the loose ball...

But the game has rightly been stopped as Joe Marchant tumbles nastily as Siya Kolisi collides with him in the air. The South African captain may be in bother here.

England 24-26 South Africa, 74 minutes

16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Like a great giraffe in the open field! Eben Etzebeth strides right through the centre of the England defence and has brief thoughts of something for the highlights real, but is so over-excited by the space that he throws an inaccurate pass, and South Africa hold on as they scramble to retrieve the bobbling ball.

PENALTY! England 24-26 SOUTH AFRICA (Frans Steyn penalty, 73 minutes)

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No mistake from the veteran. South Africa into the lead.

Sam Simmonds replaces Courtney Lawes. Tom Curry presumably takes over the captaincy.

England 24-23 South Africa, 71 minutes

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Twickenham looks skywards as the two sides trade up and unders, but it’s another South Africa penalty! Duane Vermeulen gets over the ball with Maro Itoje isolated and England hold on - Frans Steyn will have a go from 45 metres out.

TRY! England 24-23 SOUTH AFRICA (Makazole Mapimpi, 69 minutes)

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another penalty and another advantage coming but the Springboks won’t need it! A powerful maul drive is stalled just short and Marcus Smith is then offside, but England are narrow in defence, and two lovely miss passes from Elton Jantjies and Lukhanyo Am allow Makazole Mapimpi a simple run in for yet another international try.

Elton Jantjies to convert from the touchline to put South Africa ahead...missed left!

YELLOW CARD! Will Stuart is sent to the sin bin! England 24-18 South Africa, 67 minutes

16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One penalty too many for England, and they will play most of what remains of this game with 14 players. Will Stuart is the man off for a sit on the naughty step - South Africa back into the hosts’ 22.

TRY! ENGLAND 24-18 South Africa (Raffi Quirke try, 66 minutes)

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Twickenham erupts! England are back ahead! It’s Raffi Quirke!

It’s a delightful attacking play. Good lineout ball is fizzed out with a perfect pass from the scrum half to Henry Slade, who sets the defence with a charge and then releases a blind pass with perfect timing for Joe Marchant to rush on to.

Marchant charges through the chasm, draws the last defender and puts in Quirke on the cheat line to score! Marcus Smith adds the two - England have been comfortably out-played in this second half but are back in front.

PENALTY! England 17-18 SOUTH AFRICA (Elton Jantjies penalty, 63 minutes)

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa lead for the first time...

England 17-15 South Africa, 63 minutes

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No penalty! Andrew Brace is happy that Ewels is not at fault, believing that Etzebeth tumbled into him having been taken at the ankles, and it will just be the previous penalty for which South Africa will head.

Elton Jantjies has taken over kicking duties

16:40 , Jack Rathborn

England 17-15 South Africa, 62 minutes

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another penalty against England, and a warning for Courtney Lawes as a South African player receives treatment...

And that would be why! A stray arm to the face from Charlie Ewels as Eben Etzebeth topples over and TMO Brian MacNeice would like to check this...

England 17-15 South Africa, 60 minutes

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Twickenham says hello, Dolly, as Leicester hooker Nic makes his debut in Jamie Blamire’s stead. Charlie Ewels arrives too.

South Africa try a drop-goal from England’s goalline drop out but it flies wide.

But momentum remains with the Springboks - Raffi Quirke is charged down by the enormous Eben Etzebeth’s long forearms and South Africa win a penalty at the breakdown, which is kicked for the right corner.

Held up! England 17-15 South Africa, 59 minutes

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Remarkable defence from England! It’s Max Malins again! South Africa maul to within inches but are somehow just short, and then Kwagga Smith lunches for the line, but is somehow held up by Malins, turtling the South African flanker and keeping the ball from brushing the in-goal grass - a goalline drop out for England and they survive!

England 17-15 South Africa, 58 minutes

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa are nearly in, and is there a card coming here? Good play down the left from Malcolm Marx sees him power through a tackle and draw another defender, and his infield offload nearly puts Cobus Reinach away.

Max Malins somehow gets to him and disrupts the offload, too, but is the wing off his feet? He looks to be, but the officials are happy with a penalty only, which South Africa poke for the corner...

England 17-15 South Africa, 57 minutes

16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A proper mauling from South Africa! England are forced to haul down the rumbling mass as it gathers momentum towards the left corner.

England 17-15 South Africa, 55 minutes

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

On comes Will Stuart for Kyle Sinckler, and straight away the Bath tighthead is pinged as Steven Kitshoff continues to make an impact. South Africa starting to have the better of this contest.

PENALTY! England 17-15 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard penalty, 54 minutes)

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This time Handre Pollard hits the mark from bang in front. That’s him done for the day, too - Elton Jantjies replaces him.

England make a change: Sam Underhill goes off, Alex Dombrandt’s rather contrasting frame replacing him.

England 17-12 South Africa, 53 minutes

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England just starting to struggle to arrest momentum. Another fumble in their own territory means Steward’s next clearance isn’t as long as he would have liked and England are caught with their hands in the cookie jar after a ruck has concluded. Another penalty to be directed at goal.

England 17-12 South Africa, 52 minutes

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Very good from Freddie Steward. He takes a high ball under major pressure, claims the mark and reacts well to South Africa’s retreat to clear in relative comfort before they can assemble a charging-down party to trouble him.

England 17-12 South Africa, 49 minutes

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scrum penalty South Africa! Vincent Koch drives through Joe Marler, Steven Kitshoff through Kyle Sinckler, and England are penalised.

South Africa make another change - Le Roux’s mishandling is his final major action as Frans Steyn comes on, adding a properly long-range kicking option.

England 17-12 South Africa, 49 minutes

16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two superb high bombs from England give Willie Le Roux kittens, the first bouncing from his shoulder, the second from his hands, and a knock-on means England will have a scrum.

And to feed it will be Raffi Quirke! A bit of a surprise - England trusting their young half-backs.

Missed Penalty! England 17-12 South Africa, 48 minutes

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One missed right, now one away to the left - Pollard left his kicking boots in the changing room at half-time, evidently.

Here comes England’s Bomb Squad defuser - Joe Marler ready to unleash the pent-up frustration of ten days in isolation after contracting Covid-19.

England 17-12 South Africa, 46 minutes

16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Twice Freddie Steward claims high hoists from South Africa, first leaping, then on the run. He’s looked rock solid, again.

Kyle Sinckler bobbles a pass as he carries for contact and is thus rather exposed as Malcolm Marx gives him a free rib tickle. The replacement hooker launches Sinckler backwards, and England are penalised at the ruck. A chance for Pollard to atone from 42 metres, left of centre, as Joe Marler readies himself.

England 17-12 South Africa, 45 minutes

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chance missed for the Springboks! It’s delightful attacking play down the right as Damian De Allende tiptoes into space with an in-to-out shimmy, finding his captain out the back door.

Jesse Kriel has open acreage in front of him but overruns slightly and can’t get a hand on Kolisi’s backwards offload. He holds his head in his hands - that was a try for all money if Kolisi had found him.

Missed Penalty! England 17-12 South Africa, 44 minutes

16:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Starts right, stays right - a first miss of the afternoon for Handre Pollard.

That scrum munching is the last action of South Africa’s starting front row - here come the “Bomb Squad”. Messrs Marx, Kitshoff and Koch replace Nche, Mbonambi and Nyakane.

England 17-12 South Africa, 43 minutes

16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a statement from South Africa! For the first time they get a proper nudge on at scrum time and Kyle Sinckler steps out to try and stall it. He’s penalised, and Handre Pollard will try to get the scoring started in this second 40 minutes...

England 17-12 South Africa, 42 minutes

16:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But a South African knock-on and England will feed a scrum on their own ten-metre.

England 17-12 South Africa, 41 minutes

16:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Loose start from England - over-eager in trying to charge down South Africa’s clearance and whistled for being offside.

KICK OFF!

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marcus Smith gets the second half underway.

HT Thoughts

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

16:08 , Jack Rathborn

HT: England 17-12 South Africa

16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

HALF TIME: ENGLAND 17-12 SOUTH AFRICA

15:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England 17-12 South Africa, 39 minutes

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Adventure from South Africa! A deft little chip from Reinach and it nearly bounces South Africa’s way, but Max Malins somehow gathers at full tilt and produces something rather pleasant with his own right boot, a metre shy of a 50:22 as it trickles into touch.

South Africa overthrow the lineout! England possession as the half nears its close...Marcus Smith is back in the pocket...

Clearly Jonny Wilkinson didn’t give him the right advice in training this week - that was a properly ugly drop goal attempt, and that will be the half.

England 17-12 South Africa, 38 minutes

15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kyle Sinckler is riled as Cobus Reinach keeps a hold of the England tighthead as the rest of the home forwards try to support Jamie Blamire who had worked a move at the front. The petty squabbling rather distracts England and when Tom Curry is deposited on his back by a double-tackle, England are again penalised for their breakdown clearing work.

England 17-12 South Africa, 36 minutes

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This time South Africa are guilty of the same offence. Tom Curry makes a remarkably good tackle on Makazole Mapimpi in space and as two England players arrive to compete, a Springbok dives off his feet.

Henry Slade kicks down the right touchline. Jamie Blamire will throw the lineout inside the South Africa 22.

England 17-12 South Africa, 34 minutes

15:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa win the lineout but that’s not Cobus Reinach’s best, a shanked box kick that sails out within the South African 22. England with good attacking ball, with Jamie Blamire looping around the back of a dummy maul and inviting Joe Marchant to carry hard on his shoulder. That might have been more effective with Manu Tuilagi still on the pitch.

Bevan Rodd is absolutely munched in the tackle of Ox Nche! Loosehead on loosehead crime, and England are then penalised for sealing off.

England 17-12 South Africa, 32 minutes

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A good exit from the Springboks and England rather meander on kick return, Jonny May guilty of running sideways, something he has largely cut out from his game.

Now England attack more fluently! A lovely delayed pass from Marcus Smith nearly sets Bevan Rodd free, before a clever flick up from Sam Underhill to Tom Curry allows England to get away down the right.

Freddie Steward passes to Max Malins who is dragged into touch! A valiant sprint from the corner from the replacement but he’s not particularly close to beating the defender for it.

England 17-12 South Africa, 31 minutes

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up like a salmon and down with the ball! A perfect restart drill from Marcus Smith and Maro Itoje, like a point guard to his power forward in the paint as Itoje beats South Africa to the ball.

A loose pass stalls England but a canny kick for the corner means a pressure lineout for South Africa.

PENALTY! England 17-12 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard penalty, 30 minutes)

15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another nice enough strike from Handre Pollard, this time from the left. South Africa just ticking along.

England 17-9 South Africa, 29 minutes

15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa maul and Courtney Lawes is pinged for trying to bring it down. The penalties are just beginning to mount against England - Andrew Brace warns Lawes to “tidy up” at the maul as the South African tee comes on for a fourth time.

England 17-9 South Africa, 28 minutes

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa get themselves in a muddle in their own 22 but somehow the ball is not knocked on as Cobus Reinach’s pass hits a forward retreating back. South Africa belatedly clear.

England play off the top of the lineout and Jonny May prods a grubber through, but Joe Marchant advances before May has passed him and is thus offside. Handre Pollard slips as he strikes the penalty but safely finds the touchline 35 metres from the England tryline.

PENALTY! England 17-9 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard penalty, 26 minutes)

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It didn’t look nice off the boot but there is just enough welly in Pollard’s strike to clear the crossbar.

15:42 , Jack Rathborn

England 17-6 South Africa, 25 minutes

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s all a bit staccato, now, as another breakdown infringement causes Andrew Brace to whistle again. This time England fail to vacate a ruck - and South Africa, somewhat surprisingly, will have another shot at the posts. This is all of 49 metres out and beyond the 15-metre line - a toughie for Handre Pollard.

PENALTY! ENGLAND 17-6 South Africa (Marcus Smith penalty, 24 minutes)

15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Which Marcus Smith does will little bother from left of centre.

England 14-6 South Africa, 23 minutes

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The breakdown is a proper battles so far, and England are this time the beneficiaries of Andrew Brace’s peeping! Tom Curry is spying a jackal as Bevan Rodd makes a good tackle on a Springbok carrier, but Curry’s attempt is blocked by Eben Etzebeth failing to keep his feet as a latcher. That’s a new law for this season - and Brace is across it, penalising Etzebeth and allowing England a chance to notch three points of their own...

PENALTY! England 14-6 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard penalty, 22 minutes)

15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two England tries, two South Africa penalties. Lively start at Twickenham.

England 14-3 South Africa, 21 minutes

15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa earn a penalty at the lineout as English limbs stray where they shouldn’t be before the jumper comes to floor, and after Max Malins covers a crossfield grubber for Jesse Kriel well, Twickenham boos as South Africa point at the posts for a second time.

England 14-3 South Africa, 19 minutes

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After all the trouble England had with this South Africa defence in the World Cup final, they have largely been able to play as they have pleased so far and twice breached it in the first quarter. South Africa hopelessly misaligned themselves for the break in the lead-up to the try, Steward ghosting into a great chasm as Makazole Mapimpi bit in on three midfield English runners and Willie Le Roux left exposed covering the end of the line. That really was a lovely pass from Henry Slade, though.

TRY! ENGLAND 14-3 South Africa (Freddie Steward try, 18 minutes)

15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Freddie Steward powers over! He’s a sizeable enough unit the full-back and he takes two South African tacklers with him as he forces free and for the line down the right.

It was sharp from Ben Youngs, making the most of slow ball by spotting a slightly on their heels blindside defensive line, feeding his Leicester teammate and enabling Steward to crash over.

Marcus Smith produces another fine conversion from the tee.

England 7-3 South Africa, 17 minutes

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brilliant attack from England! Henry Slade feigns a carry and produces a magnificent miss pass to Freddie Steward in a gap, and the full-back sends Max Malins down the wing.

Malins shimmies inside a defender and England attack with real momentum.

England 7-3 South Africa, 15 minutes

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The ball is starting to bounce the way of the South Africans, England again fumbling in the air.

But a wide pass hits the deck, and though Lukhanyo Am’s apparent knock-on isn’t spotted, Maro Itoje locks his great limbs around a carrier and earns England the ball back. Jonny May’s attempted stab through hits two South African bodies - one of which was accidentally offside. England scrum.

PENALTY! England 7-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard penalty, 14 minutes)

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A simple enough starter for Handre Pollard, and the South Africa fly-half gobbles up the three points.

England 7-0 South Africa, 13 minutes

15:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

First attacking ball for South Africa and immediately they find space! The ball is worked efficiently to the left with a nice pull-back pass and flat ball combination to put Willie Le Roux into a gap, and a chip ahead puts Jonny May in all sorts of mod, grasping at it like slippery soap and just about able to grasp it...

May is then forced to cling on as South Africa latch on over the top. South Africa point at goal...

England 7-0 South Africa, 12 minutes

15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tough competition as South Africa nearly pinch a Jamie Blamire throw to the front, but England just about keep the ball.

But that’s not quite right from Ben Youngs - hooking his box kick out on the full. South Africa will have a lineout inside the England half.

England 7-0 South Africa, 11 minutes

15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to the set-piece as Jonny May drops the ball inside the England 22, but again there is instability and again the decision goes England’s way. Angus Gardner on the touchline spots Trevor Nyakane going to floor first and South Africa are penalised.

England 7-0 South Africa, 8 minutes

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That is less good news for England - Tuilagi injured himself in scoring in the corner and he’s had to trudge off! Max Malins is on and has gone to the wing, Joe Marchant slips in to the outside centre channel, and Henry Slade is now at 12.

TRY! ENGLAND 7-0 South Africa (Manu Tuilagi try, 7 minutes)

15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s no stopping Manu Tuilagi from there - the England centre is over in the corner!

It was smart from England, drawing in the South African defence with close n carriers, allowing Marcus Smith to lurk out the back of two forwards. He takes the pass from Ben Youngs and spreads to Henry Slade, who puts his centre partner into space with a fizzed wide ball. A rumble for the line and Twickenham roars as Tuilagi dives over.

Marcus Smith converts from the touchline. What a start for England!

England 0-0 South Africa, 6 minutes

15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England try to maul with a darty throw to the front from Jamie Blamire hitting a grounded Maro Itoje, but South AFrica defend it well, and Englan will have to play away.

Jonny May shimmies out of two tackles to within ten metres and Maro Itoje carries hard, but the lock is stood up five metres out...

England 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes

15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andrew Brace whistles once more, and this time it is a penalty! Kyle Sinckler rises with a Chesire Cat grin having forced Ox Nche to ground...

And Marcus Smith kicks for the corner!

England 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes

15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Free kick to England and Courtney Lawes is happy enough to go back into scrum battle.

England 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes

15:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After Smith runs it is Ben Youngs using the boot well - dabbed in behind Willie Le Roux who is forced to carry over his own line and ground by two English chasers. A five metre scrum for England, five metres infield on the left. First chance.

England 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here comes Freddie Steward! A clean take and a powerful fend as he runs the ball back, and midfield possession for England.

Marcus Smith’s high bomb ends up in English hands too! Another kick, this time more adventurous - Smith’s crossfield number hops beautifully for Harlequins teammate Joe Marchant on the right!

England 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are under aerial pressure straightaway but claim the kick-off superbly and put something skywards themselves - Ben Youngs box kick nicely taken by South Africa.

To the skies again! Handre Pollard’s high hoist is fumbled by a leaping Jesse Kriel and Jonny May and falls, fortuitously for the home side, into English hands.

KICK OFF!

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brace whistles, Pollard kicks off, and for the first time in more than two years: England against South Africa has begun!

South Africa to kick off

15:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Handre Pollard has the ball, having a chin-wag with referee Andrew Brace, who checks his whistle, his notepad, and his watch, and we are just about ready to go.

Anthems

15:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The South African players stand proudly for their national anthem, Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager towering over the rest of the line. Plenty of timber in that second row. Siya Kolisi looks to the heavens as he sings the final notes.

Laura Wright has stayed out on the Twickenham turf and delivers “God Save the Queen” with her now familiar sweet soprano, which is barely audible over the meatier crooning of 82,000 spectators.

England are out next

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Perhaps more so than for the Tonga and Australia games, Twickenham is properly up for this one, the rumble of excitement beginning even before the large frame of Courtney Lawes leads his side out of the tunnel.

About half of the England squad take a knee as a “Rugby against Racism” message is read out by the stadium announcer.

South Africa emerge

15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa emerge first, plenty of stern faces as they break into a jog on exiting the Twickenham tunnel. Siya Kolisi hops left and right in excitement, slapping the backs of his front rowers. The South African skipper looks ready.

Pre-match festivities

15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The familiar warbling of Laura Wright is our pre-match entertainment this week, joined by the National Youth Choir in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the RFU with a rendition of “Jerusalem” as the players ready themselves in the changing rooms.

England vs South Africa

15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One to watch - Marcus Smith

15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Welcome to the Marcus Smith show. If there were times last week where it felt like England’s princely fly-half talent was still bedding in to a side still moulded in the image of their ten-cum-twelve, Owen Farrell’s absence means Smith will be primary ring-master for certain for a significant encounter with significant opposition.

Smith should relish a centre partnership somewhat resembling the one alongside which Smith has thrived at Harlequins, with a direct tone-setting 12 and a multi-faceted, classy 13.

Of course, the man most often at 13 for Harlequins outside Smith is on the wing for England today, but Joe Marchant is good friends with the fly-half and the pair will retain a certain chemistry even with Marchant out wide.

There is no understating the measure of the task at hand. This suffocating Springbok defence has caused many an attack to come a cropper, but has tendered to be challenged most by tens with a degree of creativity and the confidence to try things. Smith is short of neither, and his silken skills should cause South Africa issues, particularly if England are able to gain front foot ball.

We are expecting England to again be reasonably flexible with formations and structures in attack - what do Eddie Jones, attack coach Martin Gleeson and Smith have up their sleeves?

One to watch - Kwagga Smith

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia, by hook or more often than not by crook, managed to stall England by spoiling and slowing breakdown ball last week. Whiile South Africa will be keen to avoid being similarly pinged, if they are able to legally prevent England finding flow then they may just come out on top. Kwagga Smith will be a key part of that. He lends a very different skillset to the back row than the injured Pieter-Steph du Toit, shorter in stature but more dynamic in open space, but with Siya Kolisi, perhaps in career best form, whatever the World Rugby Awards do and do not say, and Duane Vermeulen there is plenty of ability over the ball in the back row trio.

There will be plenty of kicking in the contest but accuracy in phase play will be vital with both sides likely to attack as jackalers, so in both attack and defence the ruck-work of the forwards will be under the spotlight. Ireland’s Andrew Brace is this week’s whistle-carrier, if you were wondering, supported by compatriot Brian MacNeice in the TMO truck.

One to watch – Jamie Blamire

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamie Blamire has made something of a habit of romping for the Twickenham line in his nascent international career, but this will represent a much, much sterner test against perhaps the deepest, most feared front row unit in the rugby world. The Newcastle hooker has six international tries already but set-piece solidity will be the order of the day if England are to counter South Africa’s forward might. Blamire, second-choice at club level, has looked a little shaky with his darts and has developing to do as a scrummager, too.

This will be a significant challenge for Blamire and a similarly inexperienced Bevan Rodd alongside him. Both Eddie Jones and Richard Cockerill, who know a thing or two about front row confrontation, were confident that they would rise to the challenge, but South Africa may see a potential weakpoint. Having so unsettled England with their set-piece dominance during the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, the Springboks will be out to do so again, with six front-rowers ready to make an impact with trademark might.

England do have Joe Marler on the bench to counter the “Bomb Squad”, out of isolation on Thursday night shorn of his tastebuds after contracting Covid-19, and readied for this contest with sprints in a disused chicken run and a number of bottles of a South African pinotage/malbec blend.

One to watch – Cobus Reinach

14:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There has been plenty of, possibly undue, focus on how South Africa have gone about assembling an outstanding Test match rugby side and the tactics favoured by the Springboks, but this is a magnificently talented squad. Iti s testament to their depth that even with Faf de Klerk an autumnal absentee they can call upon a player with the ability of Cobus Reinach.

Sharp as a knife off a whetstone, Reinach may not offer the same accuracy with the boot, defensive menace or close-to-the-ruck wind-up-ery of de Klerk, but he’s a sniping threat with a habit of plucking intercepts. He and Handre Pollard will have plenty of kicking to do, of course, but if South Africa are invited into an up-tempo contest then Reinach can certainly quickstep with the best of them.

Team News - South Africa

14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

South Africa make three changes to the side that beat Scotland a week ago. Cobus Reinach unites with club colleague Handre Pollard in the halves with Faf de Klerk a longer term absentee, while converted centre Jesse Kriel continues to cover for a similarly stricken Cheslin Kolbe.

Jacques Nienaber has this week picked Lood de Jäger ahead of Franco Moster to form an almost comically huge second row connection with the outstanding Eben Etzebeth. Kwagga Smith and Siya Kolisi’s partnership on the flanks has begun to coalesce nicely.

Beware, too, the Bomb Squad, this week consisting of five forwards and three backs but hardly short of explosive power. Malcolm Marx might be the best hooker in the world, while Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch are hardly shrinking violets. Then there is Frans Steyn, hardly short of weight and still booming over long-distance penalties 15 years after his Test debut.

Team News - England

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With Jamie George and Owen Farrell out until the new year at least with injuries and Ellis Genge still in isolation, England are short of several key individuals. Bevan Rodd retains his starting place at loose head while there is a start for Jamie Blamire in George’s stead, backed up by Leicester hooker Nic Dolly, who was playing Championship rugby in the spring.

The back five in the pack remains intact for a third week running but there is a reshuffle behind them. After being named on the wing but lining up everywhere but against Australia, Manu Tuilagi is back in the centres, outside Marcus Smith and inside Henry Slade in what appears a balance midfield.

Joe Marchant is this week’s slightly surprise pick on the right wing, with England keen on his ability under the high ball and defensive decision-making. There is also the Harlequins connection with Smith, of course.

A 6-2 bench split means places in the 23 again for Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds, who impressed off the pine a week ago.

On to England vs South Africa...

14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That concludes our live coverage of Scotland’s win over Japan, but we’ll have plenty of reaction and analysis over the next couple of days.

On to today’s second marquee matchup, and boy is it a big’un - for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final it is England against South Africa with plenty of scores to be settled...

England out to soothe World Cup scars against scorned South Africa

Player of the Match Chris Harris speaks to Amazon Prime Video

14:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It’s been quality for us. I don’t think we played our best last week and today wasn’t our best either but we did enough. Very mixed emotions,” says Chris Harris. “We did some really good stuff but we let Japan into the game - they were brilliant. They kept chipping away. But we got the win. Three wins from four is awesome.”

Scotland 29-20 Japan

14:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Victory for Scotland, who were below their best against a Japan side with plenty of adventure but just short of a degree of execution at times. That’s by no means a bad result for either side - Japan haven’t played too much rugby since the World Cup and they showed some very, very nice things in possession, while Scotland continue to build a winning habit despite a setback against South Africa last weekend.

FULL TIME: SCOTLAND 29-20 JAPAN

14:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

PENALTY! SCOTLAND 29-20 Japan (Finn Russell penalty, 79 minutes)

14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Posts bisected, three more points on the board and victory secured for Scotland. Chris Harris is named the player of the match, and that may just do us...

Scotland 26-20 Japan, 78 minutes

14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Curiously, Scotland have to have a discussion over what to do here - a kick at goal is surely the option and is eventually settled on by the Scottish leadership committee. Finn Russell takes the tee and will take every second he can as he tries to push Scotland out of reach of a single score...

Scotland 26-20 Japan, 77 minutes

14:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stability and Scotland are secure in possesion. Pierre Schoeman hits a brilliant line to create a fissure and Scotland then have advantage as Japan rush up offside in a bid to prevent Finn Russell exploiting space on the right - it works, but Japan are penalised. That’ll end their chances, you’d think.

Scotland 26-20 Japan, 76 minutes

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A hefty shove from the Scottish eight, powered now on the tighthead by another debutant in Javan Sebastian, who has taken the road less travelled through the Welsh leagues to make a deserved Scotland debut. Just a reset, but that’ll suit Scotland as the time ticks by.

Scotland 26-20 Japan, 74 minutes

14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Forward pass! It’s more excellent play in possession from Japan, largely off the pass of replacement scrum-half Naoto Saito and punching close-in holes. But a slight delay in Saito’s pass means when he throws it flat at the line, he is doing so to a teammate over-running the ball - the pass tumbles forward. Scottish scrum.

Scotland 26-20 Japan, 73 minutes

14:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Too much adventure! Japan are going to keep on dancing deep in their own half but there is little need for Yu Tamura’s blind back-of-the-hand offload, and it spills from his teammates hands as the intended recipient is understandably caught off guard.

Japan defend strongly, though, and attack an under-resourced Scottish ruck after Stuart Hogg is felled, Lappies Labuschagne driving mightily through the centre of it and winning Japan the ball back.

PENALTY! Scotland 26-20 JAPAN (Rikiya Matsuda penalty, 72 minutes)

14:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Japan move to within six. A nervy finish for the Murrayfield fans.

Scotland 26-17 Japan, 70 minutes

14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A switch play as Japan quickly change the point of attack, but a loose pass hits the turf and Kotaro Matsushima won’t get the chance to dance in space.

Back for a penalty they will go, though, with a chance to push for goal and move to within a score. They will do that after some changes - Naoto Saito replaces Yutaka Nagare, who has had an efficient day at scrum-half, while there is a Scotland debut for Dylan Richardson, who has comic-book muscles. The back-rower, a star for South Africa’s Under-20s, makes his first appearance for his new nation in the back row as Rikiya Matsuda calls for the tee...

Scotland 26-17 Japan, 69 minutes

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Excellent from Japan! The imposing figure of Tevita Tatafu brushes aside Blair Kinghorn and a nice flicked pass puts a teammate into space down the left.

Dylan Riley keeps the momentum going with a half-break and Lappies Labuschagne carries firmly. Japan building very ominously as they reach the Scotland 22.

Scotland 26-17 Japan, 68 minutes

14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Duhan van der Merwe impolitely asks another Japanese tackler to vacate his premises with another of those fierce friends, and Scotland attack well. Pierre Schoeman, on permanently now, is well tackled, though, and Chris Harris even more forcefully so in the next phase, and Scotland spill the ball!

Scottish hands just about get around a bobbling ball after Japan kick ahead.

Scotland 26-17 Japan, 66 minutes

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Japan could have done with that but there is plenty of life left in Jamie Joseph’s team. As they have done all game they are prepared to play phases in their own territory but eventually they will kick the ball clear, another sliced effort from Matsuda perhaps not aiding their cause. Scotland lineout 35 metres or so out.

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