South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit scores a try Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Two tries by winger Cheslin Kolbe helped South Africa to a 29-20 victory over England at Twickenham and though the home crowd was treated to a good match, it meant a fifth successive defeat for Steve Borthwick's men.
It was 19-17 to the world champion Springboks at the break after a breathless, five-try first half full of attacking intent from both sides.
Ollie Sleightholme put England ahead, but three tries in 10 minutes by Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kolbe silenced Twickenham, only for Sam Underhill to power over for the hosts.
A penalty for Marcus Smith briefly had England ahead but a Handre Pollard penalty and winger Kolbe's explosive second try made it 29-20.
South Africa showed all their usual doggedness to keep the hosts at arm's length in the final 15 minutes with lock Eben Etzebeth in the sin-bin.
Meanwhile winger Darcy Graham equalled the record for the most tries for Scotland as they ran in a total of nine in a dominant 59-21 victory over Portugal at Murrayfield.
Graham scored the third of Scotland's five first half tries to bring his total to 29 in 41 international appearances and equal Duhan van der Merwe's record.
There were also tries for Arron Reed (2), Will Hurd, captain Stafford McDowell, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Jamie Dobie and a penalty try for a second-string Scottish side, who took four minutes to open the scoring in a sometimes chaotic spectacle.
Flyhalf Adam Hastings put over five conversions and Tom Jordan one.
Portugal, whose play at times seemed without structure and blighted by loose passes, tightened up after a frenetic opening period and scored three tries in an impressive show of determination despite being outgunned by their powerful hosts.
The win makes it two out of three for Scotland in their four-match November international schedule at Murrayfield, after beating Fiji but losing to South Africa last weekend. The Scots host Australia next weekend.
And the USA ran in five tries to three as they beat Tonga 36-17 in Chambēry in France.
- Reuters
