South Africa to meet New Zealand in RWC finals after edging England 16-15

South Africa will be defending their RWC title next week against New Zealand after edging England 16-15 in their semi final clash this morning.

England fell agonisingly short of a supreme upset and a fifth Rugby World Cup final as South Africa came on strong to snatch victory in Paris.

England were canny and committed in the first half, raining down kicks into the South Africa backfield, forcing a steady supply of penalties.

Owen Farrell converted four to send his side into the break with a 12-6 lead.

The Springboks chopped and changed their line-up after the break, but a Farrell drop-goal edged England further clear and to the brink of a seismic shock.

However, an RG Snyman try 10 minutes from time cut the underdogs' lead to 15-13 before the Boks' scrum power earned Handre Pollard the match-winning penalty in the 77th minute.

It was a brutal ending for an England team who had led from the third minute until three minutes from time.

White shirts slumped to the sodden Stade de France turf, while elsewhere the tension and physicality of the contest spilled over with groups of players confronting each other.

It was characteristic of an England side who never took a step back and took the fight to their fancied opposition.

The performance was also vindication for coach Steve Borthwick, who turned Leicester from relegation candidates to Premiership champions in 18 months and has produced another spectacular salvage job to guide England within a whisker of a final.

The last time South Africa and New Zealand met in the RWC finals was in 1995, where hosts South Africa won 15–12.

South Africa will meet New Zealand at 7am next Sunday.

Source: BBC