Steve Borthwick’s side struck through tries from Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Underhill and 10 points from the boot of Marcus Smith.

However, tries from Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and a brace from Cheslin Kolbe as well as nine points via the boots of Mannie Libbok and Handre Pollard sealed victory.

England opened the scoring after just three minutes. Smith looked to be going for a drop goal before he darted to the blindside. He popped to Slade, who fed Sleightholme for the first try of the match. Smith converted to give England a 7 – 0 lead.

South Africa responded through their scrumhalf Williams. He ran in from beyond the 22 and stepped defenders to score under the posts. Libbok converted to tie the scores after 12 minutes.

England continued to play quickly before being awarded a penalty for Pieter-Steph du Toit handling in the ruck. Smith’s kick was good, and the hosts had the lead once more.

England then collected the ball from the restart, but Eben Etzebeth charged down Jack van Poortvliet’s box kick from the back of a ruck. Smith collected the ball and attempted a clearance under pressure, but his kick too was charged down and du Toit dived on the ball to score and give his side a 10 – 12 lead.

After England conceded a couple of penalties, the Springboks had a lineout on the England five-metre line. The England forwards stopped the maul, but the Springboks recycled the ball quickly. Libbok kicked cross-field to Cheslin Kolbe, who avoided Freddie Steward’s tackle to cross for South Africa’s third try. Libbok added the extras to make it 10 – 19 after 22 minutes.

Four minutes later, England continued to run hard at the South African defence to make their way to their opponent’s five-metre line. Van Poortvliet passed to Underhill who cut back inside and dragged three defenders over the line with him to score England’s second try. Smith’s conversion cut the deficit to two points.

Libbok missed a penalty just before half time which kept the score at 17 – 19.