Postpublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
18:00 GMT 16 November 2024
England 10-12 South Africa
Chris Ashton Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Live
Van Poortvliet has left himself far to open there. He kicks the ball too close to the ruck. I don't understand how they are leaving themselves so far open for the charge down.
Try - England 10-12 South Africapublished at 17 mins
17 mins
Pieter-Steph du Toit
A coach's worst nightmare.
Eben Etzebeth charges down Jack van Poortvliet's box kick, Marcus Smith then picks the ball up and he too is charged down by Pieter-Steph du Toit, who dives on the ball to score.
'Helter-skelter'published at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:55 GMT 16 November 2024
England 7-7 South Africa
Matt Dawson 2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live
Grant Williams has been under so much pressure but George Martin is slightly ahead of the line and there is half an opportunity. The feint to the left and Freddie Steward ran himself into next week. What a sidestep.
South Africa will be looking to settle things down a touch. It has been helter-skelter and that will not suit them. It is meat and drink for England and they are hounding South Africa at every opportunity.
Converted try - England 7-7 South Africapublished at 11 mins
11 mins
Grant Williams (con Manie Libbok)
Magic!
Grant Williams spots a gap between Ellis Genge and George Martin and he is gone. The electric nine then shows some nifty footwork to go around Freddie Steward.
'Slade is calling and waving for that ball'published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:49 GMT 16 November 2024
England 7-0 South Africa
Matt Dawson 2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live
Marcus Smith, in the warm-up, was just constantly knocking over these drop-goals as if he was wanting South Africa to expect that.
On the far side of the pitch, Henry Slade is calling and waving for that ball to say it is on. It still needed to be finished but it is great strength from Ollie Sleightholme and a good finish.
'He was going for a drop-goal'published at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:48 GMT 16 November 2024
England 7-0 South Africa
Chris Ashton Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Live
What a bit of play from Marcus Smith, he made it look so obvious that he was going for three points when he dropped back. I don't know why, but he is so fast on his feet, stood him up, what a finish!
'It feels a bit different today'published at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:41 GMT 16 November 2024
England 0-0 South Africa
Matt Dawson 2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live
It feels just a little bit different today. I think with what has happened over the last couple of weeks, the fans know they have to get behind this England team and you feel it.
Borthwick 'wanted Ford on but couldn't take Smith off'published at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:39 GMT 16 November 2024
England v South Africa (17:40 GMT)
Chris Ashton Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Live
How much does Steve Borthwick back Marcus Smith? How does he want Smith to play? His way or like George Ford or Owen Farrell? The fact that he didn't take him off last week was a real indication that he wanted Ford on but he couldn't be seen to be taking Smith off because he was playing so well.
Singing for South Africapublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:35 GMT 16 November 2024
England v South Africa (17:40 GMT)
Mike Henson BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium
For the first two weekends of autumn matches, New Zealand and Australia sung their national anthems with backing music, but no speakered-up soprano belting out the words alongside them.
After a little bit of kerfuffle about whether not having someone to sing the visitors' song was less than polite, the Rugby Football Union have hired Innocent Masuku, Britain's Got Talent 2024 by repute, Mpumalanga by birth, to do the honours on South Africa's national anthem.
Warm-up watchpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2024
17:33 GMT 16 November 2024
England v South Africa (17:40 GMT)
Mike Henson BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium
England's defensive line in their pre-match drills looked like it was running at warp speed, with players flying up into the passing channels to cut off outside options.
There had been some suggestions from outside the camp that the hosts should take the pressure of the pedal after conceding 42 points against Australia last week.
No sign of that. Full gas.
Let's see if that plan survives first contact with the Springboks though.