So near and yet so far. South Africa are into the Rugby World Cup final but this was the night when English rugby finally roared again. They were denied at the very last by a nerveless long-range penalty from Handré Pollard which took the Springboks through to a final against New Zealand next Saturday but in every other category this was one of the great English efforts.
Because these white tornadoes were utterly unrecognisable from the England who stuttered into this tournament. They flew into everything, harried ceaselessly and played the tricky wet conditions splendidly. At times South Africa seemed to be out of answers as their opponents, spearheaded by Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, the youthful George Martin and Ben Earl, dragged them to the edge of reason.
