South Africa came from behind to edge out England, by just one nerveless point, substitute, Handre Pollard snatching victory with a stunning penalty just two minutes from time.

This sets up a Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand next Saturday night whilst England go into the unwanted third place playoff on Friday night against a similarly battered, Argentina.

The Springboks scored the only try of an attritional contest but trailed throughout, Owen Farrell landing four penalties and another smashing drop goal, all of those points proving precious in the final reckoning.

Despite the Springboks starting as favourites, it was England who landed the first punch, captain, Owen Farrell showing no signs of nerves as he sphered a penalty over inside three minutes.

England’s kicking game then pinned the South Africans back as they won an attacking scrum. From which, another penalty arrived, and Farrell smashed it over for a dream start for his side, 6-0 up.

South Africa’s first attacking foray was squandered after England pinched it after an iffy lineout, Ben Earl producing another brilliant breakdown turnover, continuing his fine tournament.

Skippered by Siya Kolisi, the defending World Champions went again, kicking to the corner, this time thwarted by George Martin with a thunderous tackle, early vindication for his selection to start over Ollie Chessum by Engand Coach, Steve Borthwick.

Farrell then put his team into trouble, backchatting to referee, Ben O’Keefe after he had awarded a penalty, who marched South Africa a further ten yards forward, from which, fly-half, Manie Libbock halved the deficit.

Atonement arrived for Farrell in the form of his third successful kick, restoring the six-point lead.

Signifying South Africa’s disgruntlement was the substitution of the unfortunate Libbock only thirty minutes in, the vastly experienced Handre Pollard called upon to lead the Boks back into contention.

Orchestrating a sustained spell of pressure, Pollard pushed his first points between the posts to bring it back to 9-6 in a closely fought, tense and scrappy first half.

Pieter Steph du Toit was next to fall foul of O’Keefe’s officiating, pinged for a high tackle on Jonny May, Farrell going four from four with another crisp strike, England ahead by half a dozen at the interval, not an outcome vastly anticipated pre-match.

Clearly still dissatisfied, South Africa made another three switches, including the introduction of Munster’s RG Snyman to the pack.

One of the replacements, scrum half, Faf du Clerk, kicked and found the flying Cheslin Kolbe, finally free in space whose well weighted kick only just outpaced him.

That proved pivotal when Farrell landed a monster, long-range drop goal to put Steve Borthwick’s side nine points, and beyond a converted try, clear.

Pushing for a try, South Africa’s scrum stood firm when it most needed to, the men in dark green still immensely up against it entering the final twenty minutes.

With ten minutes left, Snyman made an impact, sneaking over from the first of a well-executed, rumbling maul drive, Pollard converting and suddenly, nails were being bitten as it became 15-13.

Then came the drama; just two minutes out from the end, substitute, Pollard, instrumental in the final in 2019, powering a peerless kick over the posts to snatch a stunning win and send England tumbling out, in heartbreaking late fashion.

Next Saturday’s final here in Paris, Stade de France against New Zealand was the mouthwatering prize to play for, as South Africa reached consecutive Rugby World Cup finals.

Friday’s, unwanted, third place playoff with a battered Argentina awaits England, who will still be emotionally recovering.