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

  1. 'Brilliant play'published at 21:22 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 15-6 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Brilliant play from England, they fractured the South African team by getting over the ball. They prized the ball away and the attack up the middle of the field allowed Farrell to get in the pocket.

    Great play.

  2. Postpublished at 54 mins

    England 15-6 South Africa

    England lead by more than a converted try. That's big.

    Swing Low rings around the arena. What have the world number ones got up their sleeves now?

  3. A captain's momentpublished at 21:21 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 15-6 South Africa

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

    Brilliant decision and execution. It's amazing in these conditions to knock it over from 45 metres plus. What a difference!

  4. Drop-goal - England 15-6 South Africapublished at 53 mins

    Owen Farrell

    Owen Farrell of England scores a drop goalImage source, Getty Images

    MASSIVE!

    Corrr, out of nowhere Owen Farrell swings the boot and clips a swirling, superb drop-goal over from a mile out.

    England and drop goals at World Cups. A mtach made in rugby heaven.

  5. Replacementspublished at 52 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    England have to freshen up and do, sending on Ollie Chessum, Danny Care and Ellis Genge.

  6. Close!published at 52 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    So close!

    A crossfield kick finds Cheslin Kolbe on the left wing, he kicks ahead and Willie le Roux is close to galloping in to score but the ball skips off the wet pitch and goes dead!

    For the first time England were cut apart there...

  7. Replacementspublished at 50 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    South Africa now replace their skipper Siya Kolisi and number eight Duane Vermeulen. Talk about shuffling the pack.

  8. 'White shirts moving better'published at 21:16 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 12-6 South Africa

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

    What a difference a week makes. It was about this time against France when Siya Kolisi got taken off.

    South Africa deployed the 'Bomb Squad' and they overwhelmed France in the second half, but now they are making the same changes because Manie Libbok had had a shocker, Cobus Reinach has had a shocker.

    The white shirts are moving better than the green ones.

  9. Postpublished at 50 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    Joe Marler grabs the scampish Faf de Klerk around his collar at the breakdown as England do try and slow the game down. That six-point lead will look bigger and bigger as the clock goes down.

    Half an hour left...

  10. Postpublished at 21:15 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 12-6 South Africa

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

    Siya Kolisi of South Africa is tackled by Elliot DalyImage source, Getty Images

    In these conditions just tuck it under your arms and carry hard, right now in the next five minutes I do not see any need for England to make any changes.

  11. Replacementpublished at 49 mins

    Ox Nche, a great name, is now on for the champions at prop. Fresh legs could be key.

  12. Postpublished at 48 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    Both sets of forwards struggle to set at a scrum, it's a scruffy game in this wet second half. A moment of inspiration or a clanger of an error could yet decide who become finalists.

    Brilliant from Maro Itoje though to rip the ball back. He's been excellent.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Courtney Lawes has been an absolute monster. If Farrell keeps his cool and with the fresh young guns coming on late this is a real chance for a RWC final. Goodness me.

    Andy

  14. Postpublished at 21:11 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 12-6 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England have done three things wrong and it is the only way South Africa have got out of danger.

  15. Handling errors in the rainpublished at 46 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    South Africa are creaking but England have not put them away. The wet conditions may be playing a part as handling errors are creeping in from both sides, Jamie George duffs another line-out with the ball soaping out of the side.

  16. Replacementspublished at 46 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    South Africa have made three changes since half-time, Eben Etzebeth and Damian Willemse are off as well.

    Genius or madness? It's a fine line.

  17. Postpublished at 44 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    England have a real chance five metres out but they don't put the line-out in straight and it's a scrum to South Africa.

    A missed chance.

  18. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 12-6 South Africa

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

    Great kick from Owen Farrell, under-pressure. It was a tricky one to deal with.

  19. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 21 October 2023

    England 12-6 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    South African faces are getting worried.

  20. England attackpublished at 44 mins

    England 12-6 South Africa

    England work the ball well, for a moment I thought Owen Farrell was going to pop over a drop-goal attempt but he kicks to the corner instead and it nearly brings a try chance. Damian Willemse can't gather the wet ball and England have a line-out right in the corner.