Springboks through to Rugby WC final after narrowly edging England

South Africa are through to the Rugby World Cup final, edging England in a thrilling contest at the Stade de France 16-15.

The Springboks trailed a brave England for the majority of a bruising contest, until substitute Handre Pollard nailed a clutch 49-metre penalty in the 78th minute.

Owen Farrell kicked four penalties from four attempts and slotted a monster drop goal to give England a 15-6 lead with 25 minutes to go.

However, a try to giant lock RG Snyman with just over ten minutes remaining bought the defending champions back to within a single score, before Pollard’s late heroics.

England came into the match enormous underdogs in what was a repeat of the 2019 final — but showed a spirit and drive that had been almost entirely absent in recent years to come out firing, applying a clear game plan in soaking wet conditions.

The English tackled hard and put the Boks on the back foot, with Farrell nailing an early penalty to settle any nerves.

Farrell added to his tally soon after before starting Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok responded.

England still had all the momentum though, despite kicking the ball away at almost every opportunity, and Farrell scored a third penalty to further extend their lead.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber had seen enough about the way the game was going to remove Libbok after just half an hour to introduce Pollard, who scored a crucial penalty soon after coming on to narrow the gap.

Farrell scored another penalty though just before half time to take England six points clear at the break.

The England skipper was nerveless throughout, his massive drop kick early in the second pushing England out to beyond a converted try.

England continued to push and put the Springboks under pressure, earning repeated possessions in the South African red zone but, tellingly, failed to capitalise and score the try that would have made the game secure.

Pollard’s brilliant touch-finder gave the Springboks excellent field position and quick ball off the lineout gave Snyman the chance to burrow over.

Then another scrum penalty gave the Boks flyhalf the chance he needed to send South Africa to another final and maintain their unbeaten record in World Cup knockout matches at the Stade de France.

South Africa will now play New Zealand in next week’s final.