South Africa 10-25 England: Eddie Jones' men end losing streak
Last Updated: 24/06/18 7:29am
England ended their six-game losing streak with a scrappy 25-10 win over South Africa at a wet Newlands in Cape Town.
South Africa had already wrapped up the three-Test series by winning the first two Tests, but England clawed back some respectability with the win.
It was a far better display from England, who managed to stop the Springboks' power game in the wet and slippery conditions and kept their discipline in key areas.
Jonny May scored a fine try - created by Danny Cipriani - with Owen Farrell adding the conversion to his six penalties, while South Africa scored a try through Jesse Kriel, with Elton Jantjies adding a conversion and a penalty.
The conditions suited England as they played a more intelligent and accurate kicking game and punished South Africa for their numerous infringements.
After home fly-half Jantjies, who had a poor game after replacing the rested Handre Pollard, had missed an early penalty, Farrell booted England ahead on 10 minutes.
It took until 37 minutes for the next score when South Africa were penalised for slowing down the play at the ruck after Jantjies had dropped the ball to put his side under pressure deep in their own half, and Farrell landed the simple kick.
Faf de Klerk did his best to inspire the Boks and, while his kicking game left much to be desired, his driving tackle on Nathan Hughes certainly caught the crowds' attention.
Both teams blundered their way through a low-quality first half, but perhaps the most glaring error of all was when Elliot Daly casually kicked a penalty out of bounds, wasting Tom Curry's fine turnover that had forced the infringement.
Mike Brown was England's hardest-working player as he roamed off his wing time and again, and a 6-0 lead opened up when Farrell landed a second penalty.
South Africa finally got off the mark on the half-term hooter when Jantjies knocked over a far-from convincing kick that summed up the first half for the Boks.
Farrell extended England's lead after they won a scrum penalty early in the second half before the hosts hit back with a good try as Steven Kitshoff made an immediate impact off the bench.
With Kitshoff putting the home side on the front foot, Warrick Gelant dabbed in a lovely grubber behind the England defence for Kriel to score. Jantjies converted and South Africa were ahead 10-9.
Farrell took back the lead for England with his fourth penalty in the 50th minute before he extended the lead even further as South Africa's penalty count continued to mount.
Jantjies was replaced by Pollard but they continued to make far too many errors.
Unlike the first two Tests, England looked well in control heading into the final quarter and were rewarded with a fine try, created by Cipriani. The recalled fly-half spotted space for May and a clever cross-field kick stood up for the winger who made full use of his pace to dive onto the ball in the corner.
Farrell converted, and added another penalty as South Africa continued to be blown off the park and England fully deserved their win.
