Five tries were scored during a pulsating first-half, with Ollie Sleightholme and Sam Underhill going over for England. South Africa were lethal in attack too, though, and tries from Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe meant they were in 19-17 up at the break.

England fullback Freddie Steward, scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet, flanker Sam Underhill and winger Ollie Sleightholme will all start against South Africa on Saturday as coach Steve Borthwick seeks to end a run of four successive defeats.

England’s quest to resurrect their autumn by toppling South Africa ended in crushing disappointment as the world champions inflicted a fifth successive defeat on Steve Borthwick side.

England's accuracy in the final quarter let them down as they failed to make the most of the Springboks being reduced to 14 men.