Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Semi Final - England v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 21, 2023 South Africa's RG Snyman, Deon Fourie and teammates celebrate after the match as South Africa reach the final REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - England played a wonderful kicking game against South Africa but their inability to score tries and their inferiority in the scrums eventually proved their undoing in their World Cup semi-final loss on Saturday.
South Africa won seven of their eight scrums while England could only won three of their seven, and that eventually gave the defending champions the decisive momentum.
England have not scored a try against South Africa at a World Cup since the pool phase in 2003.
South Africa are current world champions and world number ones for a reason," Borthwick said.
It was the second match in a row that South Africa won by a single point after prevailing 29-28 against hosts France last weekend.
Persons:
Denis, Deon Fourie, Sarah Meyssonnier, Steve Borthwick's, Owen Farrell, Handre Pollard, Jacques Nienaber's, Ellis Genge, Borthwick, Farrell, Nienaber, It's, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson
Organizations:
Rugby Union, Rugby, England, Stade de France, Saint, Snyman, Rights, South, South Africa, Springbok, France, Thomson
Locations:
South Africa, France, England