England go with heads held high

ENGLAND did everything but win. They were ahead after two minutes and held on to the lead until there were two minutes to go, making the World Cup holders look ordinary for the most part but on a night when the rain made handling hazardous, the scrum proved decisive

- PAUL REES

England held their own when props Joe Marler and Dan Cole were on the field, but when they departed within three minutes of each other, the set-piece turned into penalties for South Africa who trailed by nine points with 11 minutes to go in a game which was largely fought in between the 22s.

Two scrum penalties proved decisive, South Africa’s scoring the game’s only try from the first and turning the second into three points which took them into the leads for the first time in the match.

It was desperately hard on England who were not expected to trouble South Africa but led by Owen Farrell, whose 15 points included a 48-metre drop goal, they fought for everything and fought the game on their own terms , kicking from hand 41 times and passing on 76 occasions, undone only at the very end.

South Africa were left guessing from the very start of the match when England kicked short to contest. The underdogs were into detail, competing at the lineouts and disconcerting hooker Bongi Mbonambi whose first throw was intercepted by Maro Itoje and the second, after intricate choreography, was crooked.

The holders were sucked into a game that was not of their choosing. England may had the less hazardous route into the semi-finals, but they had the mentality of underdogs, battling for everything and allowing South Africa no time on the ball.

There was little rugby played in the rain with England kicking almost as much as they passed in the first half, but the slow pace suited them more than South Africa who were quickly left to reflect on their selection.