Summary

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary as England face world champions South Africa at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in their opening Nations Championship fixture

  • South Africa stun England with three tries in opening 12 minutes but have Kurt-Lee Arendse sin-binned

  • Ellis Genge and George Martin score late in first half as England close deficit to 17-14 at half-time

  • Steve Borthwick's side seeking to return to winning ways after four successive Six Nations defeats

  • England have not won at Ellis Park since 1972 and have won only four out of 16 matches in South Africa

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Live Reporting

Alastair Telfer

  1. South Africa 17-14 England

    Another penalty is pinged into the corner.

  2. South Africa 17-14 England

    Jasper Wiese gets over the ball and wins a penalty. First chance to South Africa in the second half.

  3. Kick-off

    South Africa 17-14 England

    We are back under way. Fin Smith, who has been superb, lofts the ball into the sky.

  4. HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Will England win their first game at Ellis Park since 1972?

    Hit the thumbs.

  5. HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    George Martin would have something to say about that, Paul.

    That remarkable finish was his first England try.

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    The Boks are more powerful, better organised, make fewer mistakes, and have genuine X-factor in their back three. Not one England player would get close to the SA matchday squad.

    Paul, Lincoln

  7. HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Having led 24-3 after 20 minutes in 2018, England conceded five tries either side of half-time as they lost 42-39 against South Africa at Ellis Park, 1,800m above sea level.

    The England bench, which includes Henry Pollock, will play a big role.

  8. HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Kurt-Lee Arendse's try put South Africa 17-0 up on 11 minutes.

    It looked like it could be a hammering.

    England have fought back and remain well in this one.

    Will the altitude play a factor?

  9. 'Perfect play at the perfect time'

    HT: South Africa 17-14 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    Perfect play at the perfect time. That's what England have been missing, that brute force. Martin went straight over the top of Kolbe.

    We were fearing the worst after the opening 15 minutes but England have got their composure back and Fin Smith has had the chance to start pulling the strings.

  10. South Africa 17-14 England

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    What a finish! The big man takes Boks with him into the corner and England are back in it!

  11. Half-time - South Africa 17-14 England

    England were 17-0 down after three early tries. What a response.

  12. try

    Converted try - South Africa 17-14 England

    George Martin (con Fin Smith)

    George Martin smashes his way up the wing to score. Game on!

    Fin Smith nails the conversion from the touchline.

    George MartinGetty Images

  13. South Africa 17-7 England

    Marcus Smith kicks a 50-22. Here come England under penalty advantage.

  14. South Africa 17-7 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at Ellis Park

    Absolutely vital England got a score in the sin-bin period.

    Ellis Genge will have enjoyed that because he bumped off Thomas du Toit to score and he'll likely let him know that in the next scrum.

  15. South Africa 17-7 England

    Grant Williams is next to drop an attempted intercept. He should have caught it, it goes right through both hands.

  16. South Africa 17-7 England

    Marcus Smith does well to tidy up a dropped ball. England win a penalty and clear.

    They will take this first half.

  17. try

    Converted try - South Africa 17-7 England

    Ellis Genge (con Fin Smith)

    Finally. Ellis Genge taps and bulldozes his way over. All Genge power.

  18. South Africa 17-0 England

    Cadan Murley puts the hammer down to go deep into South Africa's 22.

  19. South Africa 17-0 England

    South Africa slow things down and clear. Nearly half of the yellow card gone.

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    Evidently, England's record at Ellis Park will continue. This could be an annihilation job by South Africa. Not even close.

    N Hughes, Wirral

    I honestly believe if we don't compete well in this series then time might be up for Borthwick. Come on England.

    Karl, London