Wing JP Pietersen helped South Africa to fight off a stirring England comeback to win the second test 36-27 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
South Africa dominated the first half and stretched its lead to 28-10 after 47 minutes before England clawed its way back to 31-27 with 15 minutes remaining. But the run was halted when Pietersen set off from his own half, bumping off defenders, to put the Springboks on attack.
Eighthman Pierre Spies helped to send the ball wide for Pietersen to dive over for the match-winning try.
The Springbok forwards pounded England with their direct, powerful running in the first half, earning tries for bruising flank Willem Alberts, hooker Bismarck du Plessis and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard.
South Africa led 22-3 after the first quarter and England showed its character through two tries by scrumhalf Ben Youngs and one by flyhalf Toby Flood, who also scored three conversions and two penalties in a faultless goal-kicking display. But the single moment of magic of Pietersen denied England from pulling off a comeback victory.
