Wilkinson kicks England to victory

England 29 South Africa 9

England 29 South Africa 9

Title winner
Jonny Wilkinson lines up a penalty attempt at Twickenham this afternoon (© Allsport)

Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked 21 points to pilot England to a 29-9 victory over South Africa in a dour game at Twickenham this afternoon.

England scored their first try in more than 160 minutes rugby against world champions Australia and South Africa deep in injury time, when winger Dan Luger intercepted a pass near his own line and ran the length of the field to score.

Wilkinson and centre Braam van Straaten, who kicked all the Springbok points, scored with penalties in the first half to leave England 9-6 ahead at the break.

READ MORE

English pressure triggered a string of Springbok mistakes and penalties in the second period, allowing Wilkinson to capitalise repeatedly. Centre Mike Catt also kicked a drop goal.

But England, who beat Australia 21-15 earlier this month, again showed little attacking invention and fullback Jason Robinson was the only English back to cause problems with his electric running.