Summary

  • England's World Cup dream ends in heartbreaking 16-15 semi-final defeat in Paris

  • Handre Pollard's 77th-minute penalty snatches victory at Stade de France

  • Converted RG Snyman try cut England's lead to 15-13 with 11 minutes left

  • Owen Farrell drop-goal had put England nine ahead in second half in Paris

  • England were seeking revenge for defeat in 2019 World Cup final

  • South Africa will play New Zealand in next Saturday's final

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

  1. 'A performance for the ages from England'

    FT: England 15-16 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Oh my goodness, to be honest I am lost for words. A performance for the ages from England, South Africa by their finger nails stayed in that game.

    Some big men played some big games, in the final seconds of the match South Africa with the experience they have were able to scrape through.

    An amazing England team and performance.

  2. Clutch from the Champions

    FT: England 15-16 South Africa

    South Africa trailed France until the 69th minute and won by a point.

    They trailed England until the 78th minute and won by a point.

    You can't teach heart.

  3. FT: England 15-16 South Africa

    Who saw that performance coming from England?

    They have lost it in devastating fashion but were in the lead for so, so long. Owen Farrell's face is etched in understandable disappointment. I'm not sure Handre Pollard can believe it really either...

  4. England are out

    FT: England 15-16 South Africa

    Both sets of players are in a tussle again.

    'Everyone's emotional guys, cut it out,' shouts the referee.

    England have lost it right at the end...

  5. Full-time
    Breaking

    FT: England 15-16 South Africa

    SOUTH AFRICA WIN!

    Owen Farrell of England looks dejectedGetty Images

  6. England 15-16 South Africa

    England washing up against the shore at the moment. We are into the red...

  7. England 15-16 South Africa

    Last minute. Any error is terminal now.

  8. England 15-16 South Africa

    England have the ball, can they get to kickable range?

  9. 'Pollard is the guy'

    England 15-16 South Africa

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Handre Pollard is the guy out of all South Africans you would want to have a crack.

  10. England 15-16 South Africa

    The stuff of champions. England send on George Ford. South Africa won the quarter-final by a single point and lead the semi by the same...

  11. Penalty

    England 15-16 South Africa

    Enormous! In distance and in magnitude from Handre Pollard!

    England are behind for the first time all game...

  12. It's just inside the England half. With the clock where it is Handre Pollard will surely kick this...

  13. Penalty to South Africa

    England 15-13 South Africa

    Big call! Will South Africa kick this and take the lead?

  14. England 15-13 South Africa

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I'm not enjoying this!

    Can England have huge moments? There is four minutes to go. South Africa may think they have the edge, but England could have sorted the scrum.

  15. England 15-13 South Africa

    The clock runs down, a scrum is reset. This could be decisive, the ball is probably just inside kickable range.

  16. England 15-13 South Africa

    A poor kick and a knock on from England. South Africa have the scrum again, around the halfway mark this time.

    South Africa are poised to take advantage of any further errors...

  17. England 15-13 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The game hangs in the balance here.

  18. England holding on

    England 15-13 South Africa

    Ollie Lawrence is on for England, what a time to enter the fray. The good news is the ball is in South Africa's 22. The bad news is the momentum is well with the champions.

    The much better news is England lead with six minutes left...

  19. England 15-13 South Africa

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Clear thinking from South Africa to go for the scrum.

  20. England 15-13 South Africa

    Freddie Steward makes a huge catch and Owen Farrell puts another kick deep but Willie le Roux catches well. He calls for a scrum, in his own half. And why not, they're on top there.