Cheslin Kolbe shines as Springboks dispatch England at Twickenham

It wasn't a vintage performance from the Boks, who struggled to find any real rhythm and continuity and didn't play an awful lot of rugby, and it was largely due to individual moments of brilliance from proven match-winners like Eben Etzebeth and Man of the Match Cheslin Kolbe that they were able to score four great tries and keep a spirited England side at bay.

And even when their discipline and execution let them down in the latter stages of the game, key figures again put their hand up and won crucial turnovers to deny the men in white.

England came flying out of the gates, catching the Boks napping with a great try sparked by Marcus Smith. But after a nervy start, the Springboks were ignited by a brilliant solo effort from Grant Williams, who showed just how dangerous he can be with ball in hand.

England hit back from the penalty spot, but then came another moment of magic from the South Africans when a trademark charge-down from Eben Etzebeth led to a try for Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The Boks picked up their third try after a superb crossfield kick out wide from Manie Libbok found Cheslin Kolbe, but England continued to look dangerous, taking advantage of some poor red-zone defence to reduce the deficit via Sam Underhill as it finished 19-17 to the visitors at half-time.

Both sides had tries scratched off to start the second half but England did eventually retake the lead via a Smith penalty, only for Pollard to return the favour following a little help from the crossbar.

With the game balancing on a knife edge, it was a great break from Damian de Allende that finally sparked the Boks as Kolbe stepped past a few defenders for his second try of the evening before Pollard nailed a tough kick to put the visitors nine points clear.

The Boks weren't having a great night from a disciplinary perspective, however, and with a little over 10 minutes to play it eventually resulted in a yellow card for Gerhard Steenekamp, giving England fans hope of a late fightback.

But the Springboks stood firm despite being a man down, winning several crucial turnovers to snuff out any hopes of an England comeback as they emerged deserved winners in the end.

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