England (17) 27Tries: Tuilagi, Steward, Quirke Cons: Smith 3 Pen: Smith 2South Africa (12) 26Try: Mapimpi Pen: Pollard 5, Jantjies, SteynEngland signed off on 2021 in style as they outfoxed and outfought 2019 Rugby World Cup final conquerors South Africa in front of a rapturous Twickenham crowd.
England had leapt out to a 17-6 lead midway through the first half as Manu Tuilagi and Freddie Steward crossed for the hosts.
But Handre Pollard's boot kept the Boks in the fight as they turned the screw after the break.
Raffi Quirke finished off an incisive attack for England, but the world champions' mix of rock-solid mentality and physicality seemed to have won it when Makazole Mapimpi went over out wide on 69 minutes.
However, England fought to the death, as head coach Eddie Jones predicted they would have to, and fly-half Marcus Smith held his nerve to slot the decisive penalty in the 79th minute.
More to follow.
