Handré Pollard's penalty with two-and-a-half minutes remaining gave the Springboks the lead for the first time in the match at the Stade de France.

He converted brilliantly from 49 metres to bisect the posts and capitalise on Ellis Genge's infringement at ruck time.

England were the better side for the majority of the match but were left bitterly disappointed at the final whistle as they led for 74 minutes despite being labelled as the underdogs beforehand.

Fly-half Owen Farrell converted four penalties to send Steve Borthwick's side into the half-time break 12-6 up.

However, Rassie Erasmus made radical changes at the break and even earlier including taking off his own number 10 Manie Libbock for Pollard in what proved to be an inspired move.

"All the hard work we've put in, it was ugly today but that’s what champions are made of," said South African captain Siya Kolisi.

"I feel for England, today they showed who they are and credit to them for reaching the semi-final and the work they put in.  

"Our discipline was awful in the first half, but we showed what we can do in the second half, especially the boys off the bench."

The fixture was a rematch of the 2019 final which was also won by the South Africans but by a much bigger margin as they ended up on top 32-12.

This was arguably harder to take due to the lead being fumbled so late in the game and was shown by white shirts fallen to the ground on a night of torrential rain in France.

South Africa will meet New Zealand next in the decider on Saturday (October 28) as both teams look for a record fourth title.