The Springboks trailed England for the entire semifinal until flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked a 78th-minute penalty. They now face New Zealand in the final.
| South Africa pulled off a great escape to beat England 16-15 at the death and keep its title defence at the Rugby World Cup alive, setting up a blockbuster final against old rival New Zealand.The Springboks trailed for the entire semifinal against England until replacement flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked a 78th-minute penalty from near halfway to edge them thrillingly ahead.
England executed its gameplan to perfection to be in control, sending kick after kick from the base of the ruck or from Owen Farrell at flyhalf down onto the Springboks, who struggled with the high bombs all day in the rain in Paris.Farrell kicked four penalties and a long-range drop goal to put England 15-6 ahead with less than half an hour to play.
The Springboks’ set-piece misfired for most of the game, but they won a scrum near halfway in the closing minutes and replacement props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch set themselves for a huge heave.
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