As Handre Pollard put boot to ball, they held their breath, a night of countless kicks to be settled by one last hoist for the heavens. The replacement fly half’s penalty was straight and true – the champions had found a way.
It was a wretched game for a wretched night upon which a rocky South Africa threatened a total horror show, yet at the same time impossible to look away from. It looked for so long like the ghosts of Yokohama would be exorcised, England’s pack standing up to the challenge to match South Africa at their own game. But the Springboks had just enough, RG Snyman punching over from close range and Pollard producing that final, decisive penalty.
