Jonny Wilkinson returned to torment South Africa with another goalkicking masterclass as England recorded a 27-17 victory for a second successive win over the Springboks. The Newcastle fly-half, who booted all 27 points when England triumphed in Bloemfontein last summer, slotted another 20 this time around from six penalties and a conversion of centre Will Greenwood's 34th-minute try.
He did not once miss the target as his left boot swung with majestic precision. Wilkinson's opposite number Braam van Straaten scored a try and kicked four penalties but South Africa never recovered from a 19-9 interval deficit.
England played a large chunk of the first half minus flankers Richard Hill and Neil Back - both off for treatment to blood injuries - yet their resolve and commitment proved irresistible.
For the first time they recorded back-to-back victories over South Africa in the same year, adding their scalp to those of world champions Australia and World Cup quarter-finalists Argentina this month.
A seventh-minute Wilkinson penalty put England ahead but Van Straaten levelled it barely 60 seconds later when the home forwards fell offside at a ruck, and the expected goalkicking duel had materialised. Another Wilkinson strike, this time on 13 minutes when veteran Springbok lock Mark Andrews was punished for illegally using his shoulder, restored England's lead but much of their midfield approach play lacked creativity.
The Twickenham surface had barely recovered from last Saturday's rain-lashed visit of Argentina, but a cut-up pitch was the least of England's worries. Back went off nursing a wound - his Leicester colleague Martin Corry deputising - yet within three minutes England lost another back-row man, Hill departing through another cut.
Reserve hooker Mark Regan took the field, Greening moving into the back row, and van Straaten's second equalising penalty threatened a Springboks onslaught. England, though, showed they were made of stern stuff, making light of a serious double setback to unleash dangerous right wing Ben Cohen.
The Northampton man relished such a physical confrontation and after he had made headway Wilkinson completed his penalty hat-trick from short range. Springboks centre Japie Mulder became the game's third blood casualty – Grant Esterhuizen taking his place - and Cardiff's former centre made a first contribution by plunging knee-first into a ruck.
Back reappeared, his head bandaged, in the 34th minute and England immediately prospered. Quick ruck ball found its way to Wilkinson and his incisive short pass sent Greenwood shooting through on an irresistible angle. The Harlequins centre, making a first England start since last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat against South Africa in Paris, ran majestically, showing Springboks skipper Andre Vos an outside angle before rounding him to score.
It was Greenwood's eighth touchdown in 17 Tests and the inevitable Wilkinson conversion gave England breathing space before van Straaten slotted a third penalty, reducing South African arrears to 16-9. Wilkinson was not to be outdone, landing a fourth penalty from in front of the Springbok posts, and exciting Bath back Iain Balshaw replaced Dan Luger as a fast, furious and often fractious half ended with England 10 points ahead.
But South Africa made a major impact within five minutes, set-piece ball delivered to van Straaten who from 25 metres out, brushed off Lawrence Dallaglio's tackle and powered over. While he could not land the touchline conversion attempt, England had been given an immediate wake-up call - especially Dallaglio - after a shocking defensive lapse.
From being in a relative comfort zone, England were suddenly on the back foot despite Dallaglio's impressive run from deep. With just five points separating them neither team was prepared to give an inch and mistakes began creeping in.
Van Straaten sent a kick straight into touch from outside his 22, allowing England, who now had Greening back on for Regan, an attacking platform. When Springboks flanker Corne Krige fell offside Wilkinson preserved a 100% strike-rate by landing an angled fifth penalty and England were eight points in front at 22-14.
South Africa, having lost the second Test against England in Bloemfontein last summer, were hell-bent on avoiding a repetition and soon gained a territorial foothold. Greening was penalised for a late challenge on Springboks scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen - he fortunately avoided a yellow card though - and van Straaten's successful penalty brushed a post in going over.
England could not relax, knowing they had not managed to get that second elusive score ahead, but Wilkinson's sixth penalty five minutes from time restored a priceless eight-point advantage.
There was no way back and England were home and dry, mission accomplished with successive autumn Test wins against Australia, Argentina and South Africa.
Filed by Seán Folan
