South Africa edge England 31-28

15 November 2014 - 20:41
By Sapa-AFP
REWIND: Springbok Schalk Burger on the attack during their international match against World XV at  Newlands Stadium  in Cape Town on Saturday PHoto: Luke Walker/Gallo Images
REWIND: Springbok Schalk Burger on the attack during their international match against World XV at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday PHoto: Luke Walker/Gallo Images

South Africa edged England 31-28 in a nail-biting one-off Test match at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Springboks led 13-6 at half-time, Owen Farrell's two penalties cancelled out by an intercept try by centre Jan Serfontein, Pat Lambie kicking the conversion and two penalties.

Cobus Reinach added a second South African try shortly after the break, but England, with Victor Matfield in the sinbin, hit back with a brace of tries from prop David Wilson and replacement No 8 Ben Morgan, both converted by Farrell.

Schalk Burger handed South Africa back the lead, England hooker Dylan Hartley sin-binned for stamping. Lambie and George Ford traded penalties before the Springbok fly-half hit a 77nd minute drop-goal, Brad Barritt grabbing a late consolation try for the home side.