England’s losing run continues with defeat to world champions South Africa

England’s quest to resurrect their autumn by toppling South Africa ended in crushing disappointment as the world champions inflicted a fifth successive defeat on Steve Borthwick side.

After the high-octane thrills of a first half that produced five tries, the rivals settled into a nervy arm-wrestle that delivered the decisive moment when Cheslin Kolbe ran in the second of his two touch downs in the 62nd minute.

It meant England trailed by nine points and while they controlled territory and possession in the closing stages, the green wall held firm to prop the Springboks to a 29-20 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Marcus Smith produced an attacking masterclass against the back-to-back world champions with his ingenuity matched by his determination to drive England onwards and he was their brightest hope of causing an upset.

But the Harlequins ringmaster’s influence waned as an enthralling contest tightened up and it was instead the home defence that came into sharp focus with weak tackles from Henry Slade and Ben Earl leading to Kolbe’s vital try.

The bad blood between the rivals born out of last year’s stormy World Cup semi-final were rarely visible on pulsating evening in London that has continued England’s autumn decline.

For the first time since 2018 they have lost five successive Tests with New Zealand and Australia also storming Twickenham this month. Only victory over Japan next Sunday will prevent an autumn whitewash.

Smith’s creativity has been a beacon for England this autumn and just four minutes in he carved South Africa open, shaping for a drop-goal but then darting left and sucking in the defence to find Slade whose sharp pass sent Ollie Sleightholme racing over.

It was a blistering start from the hosts but they