FARRELL SHOULDERS RESPONSIBILITY
ENGLAND 12 SOUTH AFRICA 11
Owen Farrell struck a late penalty to propel England to victory over South Africa in a gripping start to their autumn series at Twickenham.
Farrell landed a difficult kick in the 73rd minute that ultimately decided the Quilter International, but the Saracens fly-half was then under the spotlight as controversy reigned in injury time.
He appeared to lead with the shoulder in tackling Andre Esterhuizen, an offence that under the current crackdown on dangerous tackles could have resulted in a red card being issued by referee Angus Gardner.
The Australian official decided Farrell’s tackle was legal, however, to deny South Africa a kickable penalty.
England rode their luck during a tense first quarter, drawing repeated warnings from Gardner with Maro Itoje his main target.
A dismal line-out throw allowed England to lift the siege, however, and soon after Farrell landed a long-range penalty to cancel out an early three points from Pollard.
England were under siege for virtually the entire first half, overpowered by South Africa’s pack at every turn but they showed resolve in defence to limit the half-time deficit to 8-6.
Inspired by the hard carrying of inside-centre Damian de Allande, the Springboks pounded away at England’s line time and again but had only a try by Sbu Nkosi to show.
Remarkably, an England side heavily depleted by injury snatched the lead through Elliot Daly’s 51st-minute penalty without having made a single visit to South Africa’s 22 until that