South Africa 14 - 14 England: fightback earns draw for England

England ended their tour of South Africa on a positive note as they fought back to claim a draw in the third Test.

Danny Care gave them an early lead by marking his international return with a try at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but JP Pietersen looked to have given the Springboks a decisive edge just after the hour. England did not wilt and Owen Farrell’s second penalty of a disjointed and scrappy contest played out in wet conditions secured a draw. Farrell even had a late chance to win it, but sliced a drop-goal attempt horribly wide.

England went ahead with a Toby Flood penalty in the second minute, but the fly-half needed treatment after a heavy collision.

Morne Steyn levelled, but England claimed the first try after Tom Johnson was halted just short of the line and the ball was quickly recycled for Care to crash over. Flood was unable to convert and was replaced by Farrell soon after.

South Africa forced their way in front as Steyn landed two of three penalty attempts.

England reached the break trailing 9-8 and Farrell calmly clipped a penalty between the posts to put them back ahead after the break.

The tourists’ indiscipline cost them as Dylan Hartley, standing in as captain, was sinbinned after an offence in the ruck.

The home side edged ahead when Ruan Pienaar spun out a fine pass for Pietersen and the winger touched down. With Steyn missing the conversion, England were not out of touch and Farrell kept his composure and drilled a penalty between the posts to level the score.

Scorers: South Africa: Try: Pietersen. Pens: M Steyn 3. England: Try: Care. Pens: Flood, Farrell 2.

South Africa: Aplon; Pietersen, de Villiers (c), Olivier, Habana; M Steyn, Hougaard; Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, Etzebeth, J Kruger, Coetzee, Potgieter, Spies. Subs: Strauss, W Kruger, van der Merwe, Kankowski, Pienaar, Jantjies, Basson.

England: Goode; Ashton, Joseph, Tuilagi, Foden; Flood; Care; Marler, Hartley, Cole, Palmer, Parling, Johnson, Haskell, Waldrom. Subs: Mears, Doran Jones, Botha, Dowson, Dickson, Farrell, Barritt.

Referee: S Walsh (Aus).