England Saxons fight back to down South Africa 'A' and complete series whitewash
Last Updated: 17/06/16 9:56pm
Christian Wade scored a late try to lead England Saxons to a 29-26 win over South Africa 'A' and claim a 2-0 series whitewash.
South Africa 'A' led 26-8 early in the second half before a fightback from the Saxons saw tries from Tommy Taylor, Matt Kvesic and Wade help them claim an unlikely win.
Most of the Saxons tries were scored by the forwards, but it was the good positional play of Danny Cipriani that kept the visitors ticking and allowed them back into the game as South Africa 'A' tired.
Victory looked a long way off six minutes into the second half when the hosts scored their third try in seven minutes either side of half-time.
The Saxons had battled back from conceding an early try to Jean-Luc Du Preez to take an 8-5 lead, Cipriani hitting a penalty before Taylor drove over the line from the back of a rolling maul to score a try.
But they fell behind in the final minute of the opening half Sergeal Petersen broke through England's static defence, and two minutes after the break Petersen scored again at the end of a very similar move.
Francois Venter made it three quick scores, and with the home side up by 18 points it looked a long way back for Ali Hepher's side.
But they responded quickly and two minutes after Venter's score Taylor grabbed his second of the game after another impressive maul.
Kvesic cut the deficit to four points with 25 minutes remaining and consistent Saxons' pressure finally paid off in the 75th minute when Wade strolled over after more superb work in the pack, Cipriani kicking his third conversion and what turned out to be the game's final points.
Hepher said: "I am just chuffed to bits for the guys, they really put it in out there. They fought hard for each other and that is what we needed when we were in a pretty dark position.
"The character that came through just shows how much they want to play for their country."
