Rugby World Cup thriller as South Africa stun England at the death

South Africa has pulled victory from the jaws of defeat in the closing minutes of its Rugby World Cup semi-final against England. A late Handre Pollard penalty sealed a dramatic 16-15 win for the Springboks at the Stade de France.

The Boks trailed for the entire semi-final until replacement five-eighth Handre Pollard nailed a 78th-minute penalty from almost halfway to put them ahead, securing South Africa a spot in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. It is the second one-point victory in a row for South Africa who also won its quarter-final match against France by one point.

'GOT IT WRONG': Sonny Bill Williams slams World Rugby stuff-up

'BROKEN': Legend 'gutted' in heartbreaking World Cup scenes

England seemed well in control of the semi, leading 15-6 with under half an hour to play before replacement lock RG Snyman scored and started South Africa's comeback with just over 10 minutes to go. The try was converted and left them trailing 15-13.

With the clock ticking down the Boks won a scrum near halfway and replacement props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch set themselves for a huge heave. The scrum went sideways and South Africa was awarded a penalty.

Pollard nailed the highest of pressure conversions to put them ahead and they clung on in the closing seconds for a dramatic victory. South African coach Jacques Nienaber, who will leave after the World Cup, looked visibly relieved as the final whistle blew and the Springboks erupted into celebration.

Handre Pollard heroics earning man of the match honours

South Africa's hero Handre Pollard was named man of the match after kicking a clutch game-winner from halfway. Pollard wasn't named in South Africa's original Rugby World Cup squad due to injury but his heroics has sent South Africa to the final on Sunday.

Post-game the Boks player said it was the type of moment that you dream of. "It was a big moment but it is what you want as a player on this stage, to have moments like that as a fly-half is what you live for. It was fun," Pollard said. "It's unbelievable, it's a lot of relief in this moment."

"We knew we had so much more to give but fair play to England, I think they put us under pressure in exactly the right areas. But jeez the fight we showed never giving up, it is what we stand for as a team and as a nation."

England coach says Springboks are World No.1 for a reason

Following the crushing defeat England's coach Steve Borthwick was full of praise for South Africa but admitted his team must regroup and do better ahead of Friday's match. “Immense credit to South Africa to come back and find a way to win. Great credit to them, they are the number one side in the world. They are the world champions for a reason,” Borthwick said.

“Right now is not the moment for dissecting the game. This is a really talented group from the experienced to the not so experienced. They are very disappointed today, but we’ll reflect on that, find what we have to do better and we’ll be a better team next Friday.”

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.