England v South Africa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 score and result as Springboks snatch win at the death
England suffered defeat in the most agonising circumstances as world champions South Africa emerged victorious at the Stade de France to set up a colossal Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. Steve Borthwick’s men performed admirably and executed a sublime game plan, backing up their quarter-final victory over Fiji behind the magnificent kicking of Owen Farrell.
But the Springboks showed their resilience and rallied late in the second half, also relying on kicking, with Handre Pollard, on after half an hour following a ruthless move to hook the struggling Manie Libbok, shining and subsequently hitting the match-winning penalty. South Africa scored the only try of the match, with RG Snyman bundling over with 12 minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to just two points and allowing Pollard to snatch victory and ensure a mouthwatering encounter with the All Blacks.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi admitted the contest was a tough watch at times: "It was ugly today, really ugly, but that's what champions are made of. England, credit to them, they were written off. They showed who they are. All credit to them, my team, it was ugly, but we found a way to fight and get back into the game. I'm really proud of them, especially the guys who came off the bench.
“England did so well in the kicking game, they outplayed us in that, our discipline was awful. But we showed who we are and what we can do. The All Blacks are playing really well, but we want to thank the South Africans who stuck with us and travelled over, next week will be tough, it'll be special, hopefully we can defend it.” Follow all the reaction and analysis from a pulsating semi-final below.
England vs South Africa live
Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
South Africa to face New Zealand in World Cup final as England suffer narrow defeat
England pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new Springboks heartbreak
Steve Borthwick promises England will ‘grow into something brilliant’ after defeat
Tom Curry accuses South Africa hooker of racist comment during World Cup semi-final
South Africa now investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom Curry
Why England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache
15:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Up into the stands the England players clambered to find their families, taking the consolatory hugs but unsure quite how to feel. Across 80 minutes in Paris, their belief had been replaced by disbelief and then by desperation and dejection, England threatening the unthinkable and taking the world champions to the brink.
For most of a sodden Stade de France evening, a Rugby World Cup final was within their grasp. A South Africa side superior in most areas were dragged down into the sort of slugfest the Springboks would usually favour, and very nearly bested at their own game. England had given their all but it was still not enough, one stable scrum, one Handre Pollard slip or slice, short of stunning the world champions.
The emotional maelstrom of this defeat will swirl rather differently to the feelings that eddied after the 2019 World Cup final disaster.
By Harry Latham-Coyle in Paris
Why England will come back ‘stronger’ from Rugby World Cup heartache
‘We are the bomb squad’: How South Africa’s not-so-secret weapon turned Rugby World Cup semi-final
16:30 , Jamie Braidwood
“We are the bomb squad and we knew we had to play a massive role.” If South Africa’s narrow win over England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final could be summed up in one sentence, then this proclamation from Vincent Koch after the game would probably be it.
When Koch emerged from the replacements on 55 minutes to take the place of starting tighthead prop Frans Malherbe, Owen Farrell had just slotted a drop goal from downtown Paris to give England a 15-6 lead. Nine points may not seem a lot but, with the final quarter of the match beckoning and the rain and wind increasing at the Stade de France, it was a comparatively huge deficit.
Throughout the first few minutes of the second half, the Springboks had more or less emptied their bench as Ox Nche, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Deon Fourie, Faf de Klerk and Willie Le Roux all entered the fray to go alongside the controversial 30th-minute substitution of starting fly half Manie Libbok for Handre Pollard.
With their World Cup title defence hanging by a thread, South Africa trusted their bench and got their reward. Koch and Nche splintered the previously effective English scrum, Snyman burrowed his way across the line for the game’s only try and Pollard nervelessly converted tricky kicks to complete the hardest-fought of turnarounds – 10 unanswered points, a 16-15 win and a date with the All Blacks in another World Cup final next Saturday.
By Luke Baker in Paris
‘The bomb squad’: How South Africa’s not-so-secret weapon turned World Cup semi-final
Tom Curry accuses South Africa hooker of racist comment during World Cup semi-final
10:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Tom Curry accused South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi of calling him a “white c***” during England’s narrow Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to the Springboks.
A hard-fought game finished in a fracas after an England knock-on sealed South Africa’s victory, with players from both sides scrapping at the final whistle.
But there had been plenty of other flashpoints throughout the contest.
Just after the 20-minute mark, with Owen Farrell lining up a shot at goal, the England flanker approached referee Ben O’Keeffe and alleged that Mbonambi had made a comment.
“Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?” Curry inquired of O’Keeffe, in an exchange that was picked up on the ref mic.
Tom Curry accuses South Africa hooker of racist comment during World Cup semi-final
Danny Care hopes England have won over disillusioned fans
15:26 , Jamie Braidwood
Danny Care hopes a heartbreaking defeat by South Africa in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final has won over any England fans who had grown disillusioned with the team.
Booing is a sound heard frequently at England games in recent times, particularly at Twickenham, but Care views the progress made in France under Steve Borthwick’s guidance as a cause to rally around.
“There was a lot of stuff said about us before and hopefully we’ve changed some perceptions, maybe got people believing in us again,” the Harlequins scrum-half said.
“Before the tournament, we understand that because of our performances people were doubting us a little bit. But then things clicked into gear a bit when we got over to France.
“We’ve shown stuff that fans can hopefully get behind and be proud of. The support we’ve had over here and back home has been amazing. This team will go on to bigger and better things, I’m sure of it.”
South Africa investigating alleged racist abuse directed at England’s Tom Curry
13:47 , Jamie Braidwood
South Africa have begun investigating an alleged racist slur directed at England flanker Tom Curry by their hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi.
England have until Monday morning to lodge a complaint with the citing officer after Curry claimed he had been the victim of a discriminatory remark in Saturday’s 16-15 World Cup semi-final defeat by the Springboks.
South Africa on Sunday responded by confirming they are looking into the incident.
“We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously, and are reviewing the available evidence. We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim,” an SA Rugby statement read.
When asked after the match if Mbonambi had said something he should not have done, Curry replied “yeah”, although he declined to reveal the content of the remark.
Referee ‘won South Africa the game’, claims England great Lawrence Dallaglio
12:44 , Jamie Braidwood
England great Lawrence Dallaglio claimed referee Ben O’Keefe “won South Africa the game” after Handre Pollard’s late penalty steered the Springboks to a narrow 16-15 victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
Steve Borthwick’s side led by nine points in the final quarter but a place against New Zealand in next week’s final slipped through their fingers as South Africa won a series of key penalties.
The introduction of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ helped shift the momentum, especially in the scrum, while Pollard’s performance off the bench and the ascendancy of the Springboks set-piece were also key factors.
Dallaglio accepted that South Africa’s strength in depth proved too strong for England but the former World Cup winner was also made to rue the officiating of the semi-final, as he insisted he was not being a “sore loser”.
Referee ‘won South Africa the game’, claims England great Lawrence Dallaglio
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi proud of ‘ugly’ win
09:23 , Jamie Braidwood
“All the hard work that we’ve put in, it came off. It was ugly today, but that’s what champions are made of. Credit to England, coach Steve [Borthwick] got them ready and they showed who they are. My team, I’m really proud of the boys. England did so well in the kicking game, they outplayed us in that. Our discipline was awful in the first half, but we fought back in the second half and we showed what we can do.”
On the All Blacks, he adds: “The final? It’s going to be as big as it was tonight.”
08:47 , Jamie Braidwood
England coach Steve Borthwick is adamant his side will use the pain of their narrow Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa to “grow into something brilliant” moving forward.
Borthwick’s troops far outperformed expectations in the semi-final and although he was devastated to come up just short on the big stage, the coach is convinced the experience will stand his young squad in great stead for the future.
“The whole team performance was strong,” said Borthwick in his post-match press conference. “We’re disappointed. We came here with a plan to win the game but fell short. Not far but a little bit short and we’re desperately disappointed.
“But the players should be incredibly proud. We had seven players 25 or under in our squad, which was the most of any semi-finalist. South Africa had one.
“We have a great blend in the squad and there’s lots to take going forward. We put ourselves in a position to win a semi-final against the reigning world champs and world No 1.
“In adversity, there is normally a seed in there that will grow into something brilliant. It’s too early to find that seed now but we’ll make sure we find it. We’ll take what we’ve gone through tonight, grab it and make sure it makes us stronger in the future.”
England will ‘grow into something brilliant’ after World Cup heartbreak
World Cup final and third-place play-off fixtures, dates and kick-off times
01:15 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here’s everything you need to know as New Zealand and South Africa face off in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup:
Rugby World Cup schedule and kick-off times for final and third-place play-off
More from Steve Borthwick, on England’s future
Sunday 22 October 2023 00:25 , Lawrence Ostlere
“We have a very smart group of players that are learning very quickly because we have had to do it very quickly. The opposition have had four years and we have had four months. That is why the players deserve enormous credit. I asked the players to approach the training differently and they have embraced that.
“In that 23, we have seven players aged 25 or younger. That is the most of any of the semi-finalists so we have a great blend of experience and young players. We are disappointed but immensely proud of these guys and we’ll build going forward.
“I care an awful lot about these players so I’m really gutted for them and their families but I’m proud of them. I really care deeply about English rugby and our supporters. There have been some tough times and we have work to do but you will see just how much those players care about representing their country.”
South African head coach Jacques Nienabe speaks
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
“I want to start with credit to England, I thought they were outstanding on the night. They had us under a lot pressure and it took something special to unlock their defence to get a try to get us back in the game.
“We needed some energy, that is why we decided to bring the bench on. We are fortunate that there is not a lot of difference between the guys who start and the guys on the bench.”
He says South Africa will need to score 35 points to compete with the All Blacks in the final next Saturday.
The moment South Africa clinched victory in Paris
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
That final moment, here, when Billy Vunipola’s knock on brought the game to an end and sealed South Africa’s one-point victory:
South Africa elation! 🇿🇦
England so brave but fall short! 🏴#RWC2023 | #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/HvWuMBfaHc— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) October 21, 2023
England suffer agonising defeat after South Africa’s gutsy call delivers knockout blow
Saturday 21 October 2023 23:05 , Lawrence Ostlere
And here’s Harry Latham-Coyle’s match report on that tense semi-final, from Paris, where South Africa’s bold decisions ultimately helped them over the line:
England suffer agonising loss after gutsy Springboks call delivers knockout
And beaten captain Owen Farrell adds
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“I’m sat here disappointed but unbelievably proud of what this group has done over the last five months together. It’s not gone all our way, but to build up to a performance like today, and ultimately come up just short against a great team like South Africa...I’m sat here disappointed but proud.
“I felt like we were playing well. We were playing to our plan and showing what we were capable of. To do that in a semi-final is exactly what you want. We thought we’d done enough to win but South Africa had something to say about that.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick reacts to his side’s defeat
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“I thought the whole team performance was strong,” Borthwick says. “We came here with a plan to win the game and we came up a little bit short. Not far short, but short.
”If you look at the team, in that 23 today we had seven players who are 25 or under. That’s the most of any of the semi-finalists. There is a great blend within this squad and there will be lots we take going forward. We put ourselves in a position to win the game against the defending champions and the world number one.”
England pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new Springboks heartbreak
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Our reporter Luke Baker at the Stade de France tonight, on England’s forwards finding redemption even in defeat:
England pack earn World Cup redemption but Springboks deliver new heartbreak
An emotional Freddie Steward: ‘Sport’s cruel sometimes'
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:30 , Lawrence Ostlere
“Disappointment, but proud at the same time,” he says of his feelings at full-time. “We were written off before this game but that performance showed how tight this group is. It’s a shame we couldn’t get over the line, but full credit to South Africa, they fought to the end and got the win. We lost a bit of dominance at the set-piece and they took advantage of that.
“Sport’s cruel sometimes, we were so close, there’s a lot of emotion among the group tonight. There’s a great blend of experience, some boys who’ve probably had their last dance tonight, and there’s others who will push on for another opportunity and we’ll make sure we’ll get the win in the end.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick speaks
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
“Immense credit to South Africa, they had to come back again and find a way to win, and they did that. They’re not the world’s No1 team for nothing. From our point of view, we’re really proud of our performance. There were a few things that went wrong in the second half… but it’s too early to start analysing the game.”
He points out that England had the largest crop of players 25 or under among the four semi-finalists, and says they have a bright future.
England captain Owen Farrell hails ‘top-class’ Pollard
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
“I’ve seen [Pollard] do that a few times, he’s top class, that’s a clutch kick if ever I’ve seen one so fair play to him. We can sit here and pick at anything, my overriding feeling is not so much about the game, how proud I am of the group. The last five months, it’s not gone all our way, the fight they’ve shown. The sheer will, it was outstanding.”
Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 22:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
It is hard to say if the bold substitution of Handre Pollard for a wayward Manie Libbok after only half an hour was decisive. Certainly, Pollard was hugely influential in the final minutes, with a long kick to the corner and with that nailed penalty at the death. Then again, he would have surely come on to the pitch at some point in the second half anyway.
Lots of the talk this week will be about which fly-half starts the final.
Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:59 , Lawrence Ostlere
Jonny Wilkinson: “England, they did manage it absolutely brilliantly. The guys making the kicks, the guys chasing the kicks, they got almost everything right. But fair play to South Africa, they knew what to do.”
Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:57 , Lawrence Ostlere
South Africa will play New Zealand in the World Cup final next Saturday. England will have to go on to a third-place playoff against Argentina, having led this semi-final for 75 minutes.
Full-time: England 15-16 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:55 , Lawrence Ostlere
80 min: A knock-on in the tackle, and South Africa have won! Oh England.
The players break into a petty scrap, grabbing each other’s shirts.
England 15-16 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:53 , Lawrence Ostlere
79 min: This is it, England have the ball and they are searching for one final score inside the South African half...
Penalty! England 15-16 South Africa (Pollard)
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:51 , Lawrence Ostlere
77 min: Handre Pollard opts to kick for the posts, and it’s a picture of perfection, whistling through the middle of the sticks.
For the first time all night, South Africa lead.
England 15-13 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
75 min: This scrum is so vital. South Africa are desperate to earn a penalty here but England are not falling into the trap, yet. Another reset, however... and this time Ben O’Keeffe blows his whistle! Genge is penalised for dropping to his knee: Springbok penalty just inside halfway.
England 15-13 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
74 min: England survive the scrum with conceding a penalty, but Steward makes a big error a moment later when he slices a kick straight up in the air and then knocks on his attempted catch. Scrum to South Africa just inside England’s half.
Every play is so tense now.
England 15-13 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:46 , Lawrence Ostlere
71 min: Willie Le Roux marks Farrell’s high kick and South Africa opt for a scrum on their own 22 to keep the pressure on England’s creaking pack, and Sinckler in particular.
TRY! England 15-13 South Africa (RG Snyman)
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
68 min: South Africa win the lineout and then barrel towards the English line and RG Snyman does the honours between a couple of struggling backs. Pollard makes the kick to add two more.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:40 , Lawrence Ostlere
67 min: A few moments later South Africa have a scrum near the halfway line, and this time Jamie George gets told off by Ben O’Keefe for a technical infringement.
Now then: Pollard kicks perfectly into the corner and South Africa will have a lineout very close to the English try line. Vunipola comes on for a limping Tom Curry.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
65 min: Finally the Springboks break into the English half but there’s another South African error at the breakdown, this time by Bongi Mbonambi. He’s not happy with that, but the decision won’t change. England penalty inside their own half.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
64 min: Sinckler has been punished again at the scrum – Ox Nche is dominating him on that side of pack right now. South Africa are still struggling to get out of their own half, however...
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
62 min: Replacement Ellis Genge knocks on and South Africa will have a scrum in their own half. There’s a little timeout as Ben O’Keeffe is annoyed by the number of water carriers and medics rushing on to the pitch and interrupting the game. He makes his feelings clear to both captains.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:29 , Lawrence Ostlere
59 min: Swing Low rings out around the Stade de France as we wait for this scrum. The English crowd are silenced, however, as Sinckler is penalised for not pushing straight. A promising position for England ends in a South African penalty.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
57 min: Another big moment for England. Farrell kicks a bouncing ball to the corner where Arendse seems to panic under pressure, and he ends up knocking on. Yet another error by the Springboks. England have an attacking scrum.
South Africa, by the way, have used up all their replacements. That is how much pressure they’ve been put under tonight in Paris.
England 15-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:25 , Lawrence Ostlere
54 min: Jonny Wilkinson had called for England’s players to produce the game of their lives before kick-off, and they are delivering on that.
England have thrown on Danny Care and Kyle Sinckler.
Drop goal! England 15-6 South Africa (Farrell)
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:22 , Lawrence Ostlere
53 min: England make a little progess into the South African half when, out of nowhere, Farrell gets himself into the slot about 45-50 yards out and smashes a drop goal over the posts! The captain has been immaculate and that was his best kick yet.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:21 , Lawrence Ostlere
52 min: Almost brilliant by South Africa! Pollard plays a clever kick to the left wing where Cheslin Kolbe grabs and surges into the 22. He grubbers towards the line and Le Roux gets to it first, but he can only kick the ball heavily off the pitch.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
50 min: A messy few moments end with England being awarded a scrum around halfway when a South African hand knocks on. England’s entire pack have been exceptional so far.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:15 , Lawrence Ostlere
48 min: Itoje grabs the loose ball in the tackle at the halfway line and recycles it to Mitchell, but he makes a rare mistake with a kick straight out to touch. South Africa will have a lineout just inside English territory.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
46 min: A brief pause in play while George Martin is given some treatment. The game resumes with a South African scrum in their own half.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
45 min: South Africa have made a few early changes in this second half: Faf de Klerk is on at scrum-half, Willie Le Roux comes on at full-back and RG Snyman replaces their man mountain, Eben Etzebeth. England won’t mind that.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
44 min: Brilliant by Owen Farrell, first catching a high ball he had no right to win near the Springbok 22, before bouncing a kick towards the corner, which Willemse slips and slides to grab and ends up knocking off the field. However, Jamie George’s attacking lineout is not straight. A waste.
England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:06 , Lawrence Ostlere
42 min: A terrible start to the half by South Africa, as Cobus Reinach box-kicks straight up the air to give the ball away. A moment later, England win a penalty in their own half after Damian Willemse prevents Joe Marchant from releasing the ball at the ruck.
Kick-off! England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:04 , Lawrence Ostlere
Pollard gets the second half under way. South Africa’s players had been out on the pitch early, presumably after a bit of a rollicking.
Half-time: England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 21:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
Some images from that first half in Paris:
Half-time: England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:59 , Lawrence Ostlere
Bryan Hababa is, unsurprisingly, not happy. Speaking on ITV at half-time, Habana is critical of the substitution which saw Libbok hooked for Pollard after half an hour. “I don’t think that’s fair on a guy who’s put his body on the line for the past six weeks for his country,” Hababa says.
He also disagrees with Jonny Wilkinson’s assessment that this semi-final has been a “chess match”, accusing South Africa of simply losing the physical confrontations.
South Africa hook Manie Libbok after tough half-hour in World Cup semi-final
Half-time: England 12-6 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
40 min: England get hold of the South African restart and run down the clock. O’Keeffe calls on scrum-half Mitchell to stop faffing and use the ball, so he goes on a dash all the way back to his own try line while the clock ticks over to 40 minutes, and kicks it out right on cue.
Half-time, and you have to say that could not have gone much better for England. South Africa, meanwhile, are a bit of a mess.
Penalty! England 12-6 South Africa (Farrell)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
38 min: England have a lineout near the halfway line, and this time they win it and set up a maul. Mitchell kicks up in the air and Jonny May wins a penalty in the high contest after being deliberately impeded by Steph du Toit. The replay suggests that was a good decision by Ben O’Keeffe.
Farrell will go for goal from about 40 yards, on a slight angle – and he nails it through the centre of the posts. Sublime, again.
Penalty! England 9-6 South Africa (Pollard)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:43 , Lawrence Ostlere
34 min: A mistake by Vunipola, who charges forwards with ball in hand and knocks on, deep in England territory. South Africa then win a penalty at the next breakdown, and they are going to kick a simple goal: Pollard’s first involvement is to add three points.
England vs South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:41 , Luke Baker
Here’s the latest from our reporter Luke Baker at the Stade de France
Thirty-one minutes in and England have officially forced South Africa to change their gameplan. It’s a fly-half substitution as Manie Libbok exits and the veteran experience of Handre Pollard comes on. This is a tacit acknowledgement from the Springboks that kicking is king and they’re willing to play the game on England’s terms.
Libbok is the far more creative, dynamic No 10, who is explosive from open play and can conjure up moments of magic from nothing, while Pollard is the kicker extraordinaire – more limited around the park but with a reliable boot both from the tee and from open play. The aerial bombardment won’t slow down from here.
England 9-3 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:40 , Lawrence Ostlere
32 min: The game is paused while Tom Curry is taken off to get a bloody nose cleaned up. Billy Vunipola is sent on as temporary replacement.
Bryan Habana on ITV, on that South African substitution: “I’m hoping it’s not a knee-jerk reaction. I don’t think Libbok is solely responsible. You feel for a guy who’s put his body on the line.”
England 9-3 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:38 , Lawrence Ostlere
30 min: Jamie George’s long lineout is pinched by a South African hand, but a poor Libbok kick soon hands possession back inside the Springbok half.
And wow, look at this: Libbok is being replaced by Handre Pollard already. South Africa are losing the kicking game and they are not going to wait to act.
England 9-3 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
27 min: England are given yet another penalty, this time after a not-straight South African lineout.
England 9-3 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:32 , Lawrence Ostlere
25 min: Duane Vermeulen catches a high kick and is immediately impaled by the speeding figure of Elliot Daly. That was plain cruel. England are playing like team possessed.
Penalty! England 9-3 South Africa (Farrell)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:30 , Lawrence Ostlere
22 min: Springbok full-back Willemse catches a long kick but then throws a loose pass into his own 22, which Ben Earl jumps on, and earns England a penalty. South Africa are not quite themselves so far tonight.
Farrell kicks well from a slight angle.
Penalty! England 6-3 South Africa (Libbok)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
20 min: South Africa had opted to kick a couple of early penalties to touch and take the lineout, but this time Libbok goes for the posts, from about 35 yards, and he makes it. They finally have some points on the board.
England 6-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:26 , Lawrence Ostlere
18 min: Mitchell catches a high ball expertly and box-kicks down the right touchline. Libbok responds with a high ball of his own, and although a backtracking Daly catches it for England, South Africa follow in hard and win a penalty at the breakdown as he fails to release.
England 6-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:23 , Lawrence Ostlere
15 min: A huge tackle by George Martin near England’s try line forces Franco Mostert to drop the ball. England have the scrum, and they celebrate like they’ve scored a try. They win a penalty at the scrum too, after the Springboks don’t push straight.
England 6-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:20 , Lawrence Ostlere
14 min: Courtney Lawes is penalised for bringing down a maul and South Africa use the penalty to kick to the corner. England, though, are doing a brilliant job of frustrating the Springboks, and when they win the next penalty, a scrap breaks out between just about every player on the pitch. O’Keeffe tells off the captains.
Penalty to South Africa, against Manu Tuilagi, who is accused of starting all that, so England lose their advantage.
England vs South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:16 , Luke Baker
Here’s the latest from our reporter Luke Baker at the Stade de France
It’s the perfect start for England. To spring the upset here, they will have to win the inevitable aerial battle and hold their own, or even triumph, at the set-piece. Double tick so far. Elliot Daly got up well to knock back an up-and-under that led to Owen Farrell’s first penalty, while Freddie Steward brilliantly claimed a high ball on the run. Alex Mitchell’s box-kicking has also been solid so far.
Then at the set-piece, Maro Itoje superbly stole a lineout (after another Daly box-kick win) and Steve Borthwick’s decision to start his two best scrummagers at prop (Joe Marler and Dan Cole) to paint a good early picture for referee Ben O’Keeffe is paying dividends. The scrum has been rock solid and led to that second Farrell penalty. A long way to go but it couldn’t have gone better for the underdogs so far.
Penalty! England 6-0 South Africa (Farrell)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:14 , Lawrence Ostlere
9 min: England work the ball across the field to a central position near the posts, where South African captain Siya Kolisi is too eager at the ruck and he’s penalised for preventing Mitchell from playing the ball.
A simple kick for Farrell, and England are six points in front.
England 3-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:11 , Lawrence Ostlere
7 min: A brilliant little sequence by England. First Steward wins a high ball, then Daly contests well enough to force a South African spillage at another. Mitchell box-kicks cleverly into the corner with one bounce, where Bongi Mbonambi’s lineout is then not thrown straight: England now have a scrum in a very advanced position down the left wing.
England 3-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
5 min: England pinch the ball from a Springbok lineout, but soon knock on, and South Africa have the put in at the scrum just inside their own half.
Penalty! England 3-0 South Africa (Farrell)
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:05 , Lawrence Ostlere
3 min: A moment later, however, Elliot Daly wins a high contest and flicks it back into England hands. At the subsequent breakdown, lock Franco Moster is penalised for handling the ball of his feet. He thinks it was harsh, clearly.
Owen Farrell lines up the kick, on a slight angle from the left about 30 yards out, and slots the first score of the game.
Kick-off! England 0-0 South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
Ben O’Keeffe peeps his whistle and Owen Farrell switches around his position to hang up a surprise kick down the middle, where it’s knocked on by the charging Joe Marchant. A wasted chance to gain some early territory.
England v South Africa – Rugby World Cup semi-final
Saturday 21 October 2023 20:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
The anthems are done and dusted, and Siya Kolisi gets top marks for belting out the South African edition with gusto, as usual. Here we go, then. Can England really do this? Over the next couple of hours we will find out...
England v South Africa – Rugby World Cup semi-final
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:55 , Lawrence Ostlere
Just a few minutes to kick-off now and the rain is still falling in Paris. The players are about to emerge...
Cheslin Kolbe can fire South Africa to victory, says Bryan Habana
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:49 , Lawrence Ostlere
Bryan Habana might be about the only man Cheslin Kolbe couldn’t have beaten in a sprint down the touchline. South Africa’s former flying wing says of the modern superstar: “People were saying how small he was 10 years ago. But he was blockbuster on the sevens circuit and now he’s much bigger. His ability to be unrelenting, his ability to pop up everywhere on the field, his work rate, is absolutely phenomenal.”
The England blueprint to upset South Africa and reach Rugby World Cup final
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
England have built stable foundations during this tournament and will be hopeful they can cause a shock in this semi-final. So, how do they win this game tonight? Our reporter in Paris, Harry Latham-Coyle, has come up with a three-point plan to bring down the Springboks:
The England blueprint to upset South Africa and reach Rugby World Cup final
Freddie Steward key to England’s hopes
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
There’s a lot of focus on Freddie Steward tonight, who has come back in at full-back specifically to deal with South Africa’s high balls and hit back with kicking bombs of his own.
Former Springboks captain John Smit goes as far as to predict kicking will decide this match, saying: “My gut tells me that the team who has a better kicking game is going to go on to final.”
England vs South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:35 , Luke Baker
Here’s the latest from our reporter Luke Baker at the Stade de France
After the shellacking that the England men’s cricket team received at the hands of South Africa earlier today, it’s up to the men’s rugby side to restore some national pride against the same opponents. Having come through the weaker side of the draw and, frankly, being an objectively inferior team, they’re big underdogs for this semi-final though. The Springboks have been desperate to play down their favourites tag this week, however. Mind games? Perhaps. But they’re keen not to underestimate Steve Borthwick’s men, who can theoretically play with the freedom of low expectation.
It’s still raining here in Paris and although the downpour has eased somewhat, the fact that both sides have spent a lot of their pre-match warm-up practising box kicks, lineouts and carries in the tight probably tells its own story. Expect an aerial bombardment and ‘up the jumper’ rugby with expansive, free-flowing ambition kept to a minimum.
England v South Africa line-ups
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:32 , Lawrence Ostlere
A reminder of the line-ups tonight. England have made three changes from their narrow semi-final win over Fiji, with Steward, Marler and Martin coming into the side. South Africa stay the same after that epic win over France.
England XV: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Martin, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Ollie Chessum, 20. Billy Vunipola, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Ollie Lawrence.
South Africa XV: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Manie Libbok, 9-Cobus Reinach; 1-Steven Kitshoff, 2-Bongi Mbonambi, 3-Frans Malherbe, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 5-Franco Mostert, 6-Siya Kolisi, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8-Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16-Deon Fourie, 17-Ox Nche, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-RG Snyman, 20-Kwagga Smith, 21-Faf de Klerk, 22-Handre Pollard, 23-Willie Le Roux.
Woodward hails Charlton after death aged 86
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
Sir Clive Woodward pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, who died earlier today aged 86.
“A wonderful wonderful guy,” says Woodward, who watched England win the 1966 World Cup aged 10. “It’s not just a big loss to football but for world sport.”
More on Bobby Charlton’s life and legacy:
Sir Bobby Charlton turned tragedy into triumph with unique style and perseverance
England need to play the game of their lives, says Jonny Wilkinson
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:23 , Lawrence Ostlere
Jonny Wilkinson knows a thing or two about winning a World Cup semi-final, and he’s called on England to produce the game of their lives.
“The Sprinboks are so intense, it comes in waves,” he says on ITV. “England need to match that intensity. They need to jump up quickest after every tackle, attack every single ruck, challenge for every high ball like your life depends on it. I’m not asking for much…”
England v South Africa – Rugby World Cup semi-final
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
The players have been out on the pitch getting a sense of the stage for tonight’s showdown as the atmosphere begins to build at the Stade de France.
South Africa captain Kolisi talks up role of giant lock 'enforcer’
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:10 , Lawrence Ostlere
Eben Etzebeth’s influence on and off the field for South Africa is likely to be a key factor in tonight’s Rugby World Cup semi-final, as it proved last weekend when the Springboks eliminated France in the last eight.
The imposing lock, whose gladiatorial style has made him first choice in the Springbok second row for more than a decade, turned in a match-winning performance in the 29-28 victory over France and is his team’s mainstay, according to captain Siya Kolisi.
“He is the enforcer, the guy who makes sure the discipline is good amongst the team and he is always there for anyone who needs help,” Kolisi said. “He will fight through anything to put on that green and gold jersey. He is the most experienced guy in the team. He will fight through injury and he inspires all of us.”
Etzebeth, who has 117 caps and skippered the Boks in Kolisi’s injury-enforced absence earlier this year, overcame an early tournament shoulder scare to turn in an inspired performance in last Saturday’s narrow quarter-final win over France, even though he was sin-binned near half-time.
”He was special last week, He always gives 100 per cent for the team, at training, how he sees the game, his influence among the group,“ Kolisi continued. ”When he got that yellow card, I know him, he would want to pay back to the team. He was huge last week. A lot of players did well but he was really amazing.”Â
The two sides of Rassie Erasmus, the puppet master pulling South Africa’s strings at Rugby World Cup
Saturday 21 October 2023 19:03 , Lawrence Ostlere
The Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus – who led South Africa to victory at the last World Cup as head coach – has been trying some mindgames this week, by talking up England’s threat and then trying to predict the entire English XV (something he didn’t get particularly close with, as it turns out).
Here’s a closer look at South Africa’s puppet master:
The two sides of Rassie Erasmus, the puppet master pulling South Africa’s strings
How to watch England v South Africa tonight
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:56 , Lawrence Ostlere
If you want to watch the match tonight on TV in the UK – while following along to The Independent’s live coverage, obviously – then you can tune in live on ITV1, where coverage begins at 7.15pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Registered users can also stream the match for free online on ITVX via the website and app.
Sinfield calls on England to ‘rip into South Africa'
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:48 , Lawrence Ostlere
Another England coach, Kevin Sinfield, has demanded England’s players empty the tanks tonight to ensure they are not left with lifelong regrets.
For eight of the starting XV it is the chance to avenge their defeat to the Springboks in the 2019 final when the expectations generated by a thumping victory over New Zealand a round earlier were ground into the Yokohama Stadium turf.
Steve Borthwick’s England were given little hope of challenging for South Africa’s crown due a dismal series of warm-up fixtures which extended their losing run to five defeats in six Tests, yet they are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament.
Defence coach Sinfield sees the benefit of continuing to confront adversity head on at the Stade de France.
“I am certainly not overwhelmed. I understand the challenge in front of us,” the English rugby league great said. “But I don’t mind being backed into a corner, don’t mind being written off, don’t mind being slammed, don’t mind being in the thick of a pretty tough circumstance.
“I just think that we’re in a World Cup semi-final, there is a lot of good in us, there are a lot of things to be excited about. Coming up against South Africa will let us know where we’re at. But for our players, they are so excited to be out there. Rewind eight weeks to the end of August and it was pretty grim for us, but we want them to absolutely rip into it on Saturday night.
“We want them to give everything they’ve got, otherwise you end up with a load of regrets for the rest of your life. We are really looking forward to this - we are coming up against the best team in the world at the weekend.”
England are ready for South Africa’s ‘dark arts’
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:41 , Lawrence Ostlere
Indeed, England are ready for scheming from South Africa.
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus is accomplished at what Wales head coach Warren Gatland describes as “dark arts”, such as using mind games to give his side an edge, especially through the use of social media to “control the agenda”.
The most recent example are rumours that the Springboks used HIAs in their quarter-final victory over France last Sunday to give forwards Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Bongi Mbonambi a rest – a claim denied by Erasmus.
England’s attack coach Richard Wigglesworth insists his side know they will be targeted in the last-four showdown in Paris and even believes that their media output is being monitored closely.
“I’m sure that, with the smarts of their coaching team, they will try to throw stuff at us, no doubt. Will that be the winning and losing of this game? Probably not,” Wigglesworth said.
“It will probably be the big bits of the game that decides that and then they’ll give those little nuances a chance. I wouldn’t like to guess what they are going to try and do because I know they will watch and hear everything we say. I wouldn’t like to try and give anyone a head start.”
Springboks desperate to deny favourites tag but reality set to bite England
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:37 , Lawrence Ostlere
South Africa have been doing their best to play down the favourites tag, in a week of mind games leading up to this semi-final showdown tonight. Here’s Luke Baker o their efforts to downplay England’s underdog status:
South Africa revel in mind games and winning the mental battle that always precedes the on-pitch war. More often than not, it eventually leads to victory once the final whistle has blown.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus particularly enjoys this arena, whether attempting to name England’s team on a Monday ahead of the weekend’s game, making pointed remarks about referees or taking to Twitter/X to defend his players against slights – both real and perceived.
So the context of this weekend’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England provides an interesting challenge.
Springboks desperate to deny favourites tag but reality set to bite England
England vs South Africa
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good evening from a rather wet and wild Paris, where the wind is whipping around the suburb of Saint Denis and the rapidly filling Stade de France with kick off creeping ever closer. The inclement weather isn’t likely to do much for a game we were already expecting to be pretty kick-heavy - the aerial contest, and any resultant scrums, will obviously be key.
It’s been a long day for both sets of players, plenty of thumbs a-twiddling with a 9pm kick off local time. Can England lift their game to meet the Springboks’ might?
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster: ‘I don’t care who wins’
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:29 , Lawrence Ostlere
New Zealand boss Ian Foster plans to enjoy a bowl of popcorn while watching England’s blockbuster with South Africa after his side eased into the Rugby World Cup final by dispatching Argentina.
Foster can put his feet up for tonight’s colossal semi-final clash between Steve Borthwick’s men and the Springboks thanks to a crushing 44-6 success over Los Pumas in Paris.
The 58-year-old expects an “interesting contrast of styles” in the other last-four fixture and is not bothered who the All Blacks face in next week’s showpiece match at Stade de France.
New Zealand barely broke sweat in booking an unprecedented fifth World Cup final appearance and now have the luxury of an extra day’s rest as they await the identity of their ultimate opponents.
“I’ll be watching it,” said Foster. “I’ll probably have some popcorn and sit there and watch it and I don’t care who wins. We’re very much in a focus-about-ourselves stage.
“One thing that extra day does give us, it gives us a bit of a chance to have a break mentally and not to spend too much juice worrying about if it’s them, if it’s them.
“They’re both good teams. South Africa have been playing some brilliant rugby the last few weeks and are clearly on top of their game.
“But we’ve also seen an English side that just build away quietly and are probably starting to understand how they want to play and they’re starting to get really good at how they want to play and believe in that.
“It will be an interesting contrast of styles.”
Recap: Argentina’s World Cup hopes crushed beneath frightening display of New Zealand’s strength
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:25 , Lawrence Ostlere
Before we take a closer look at tonight’s mouthwatering contest between England and South Africa, first a look at what happened last night, by Harry Latham-Coyle in Paris:
Rugby beauty comes in many forms – as New Zealand showed against Argentina. Perhaps it is Will Jordan that takes your fancy, his 31 tries in 30 Tests rugby’s equivalent of the golden ratio. Perhaps you are entranced by Mark Tele’a, sinewy and sinuous, gliding in and out of contact like an electric eel. Or could it be Richie Mo’unga and his teasing grin, most often flashed at a grasping Argentine after a coquettish click of the heels on a night where the fly half seemed to step into space at will.
But it was the All Blacks’ muscle-men and their rugged charm that laid the foundations for the decorative touches elsewhere. And to think New Zealand had entered this tournament with questions about their ability to assert themselves up front; this was a frightening display of forward strength, leaving Argentina’s Rugby World Cup dreams buried beneath the black mass.
Argentina hopes crushed by fearsome display of New Zealand’s strength
England v South Africa line-ups
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:19 , Lawrence Ostlere
And here is how the two teams line up this evening.
England XV: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. George Martin, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16. Theo Dan, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Ollie Chessum, 20. Billy Vunipola, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Ollie Lawrence.
South Africa XV: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Manie Libbok, 9-Cobus Reinach; 1-Steven Kitshoff, 2-Bongi Mbonambi, 3-Frans Malherbe, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 5-Franco Mostert, 6-Siya Kolisi, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8-Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16-Deon Fourie, 17-Ox Nche, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-RG Snyman, 20-Kwagga Smith, 21-Faf de Klerk, 22-Handre Pollard, 23-Willie Le Roux.
England v South Africa team news
Saturday 21 October 2023 18:16 , Lawrence Ostlere
Steve Borthwick has made three changes to England’s starting XV from the side that defeated Fiji in the quarter-finals.
Marcus Smith doesn’t make the matchday 23 as Freddie Steward slots back in a full-back. Ellis Genge drops to the bench with Joe Marler in as the loose-head prop and George Martin takes Ollie Chessum’s place in the second row.
South Africa have named an unchanged side for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against England.
After pipping France in Paris last week, Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus have kept faith with the same starting line-up and bench.
Why England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’t
Saturday 21 October 2023 17:17 , Lawrence Ostlere
The England players will remember the feeling. Look back on the images of that night in Yokohama and see the empty eyes, despair writ large on wounded faces as South Africa celebrated beyond them. The Springboks had not just secured World Cup victory but romped to it, an England side coursing with optimism after a stunning semi-final performance against New Zealand left lifeless and limp.
To some extent, it is a low from which England have never recovered.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full semi-final preview below:
Why England believe against South Africa this time, even if you don’t
England v South Africa – Rugby World Cup
Saturday 21 October 2023 15:18 , Lawrence Ostlere
Welcome along to live coverage of this Rugby World Cup semi-final between England and reigning champions South Africa in Paris.
