England beat South Africa 12-11 in their opening November international at Twickenham on Saturday.
Photo: AFP England's fly-half Owen Farrell (L) makes a dubious tackle on South Africa's Andre Esterhuizen late in the game which is looked at by officials during the international rugby union test match between England and South Africa at Twickenham.
England co-captain Owen Farrell's penalty seven minutes from time, the third of four scored by an England team who didn't manage a try, nudged the hosts into a one-point lead.
There was drama right at the end when, with 80 minutes played, Australian referee Angus Gardner consulted the television match official to see if fly-half Farrell had committed a no-arm tackle on Springbok replacement Andre Esterhuizen.
The officials decided, however, that Farrell had made enough of a legal challenge not to award a penalty that could have seen South Africa snatch victory.
"It's hard to keep your arms round when someone's running that hard but thankfully there was a bit of common sense," said Farrell.
England coach Eddie Jones, having seen his new-look side launch their countdown to next year's World Cup in Japan by clinging on for a win, praised the hosts' resilience.
"We had players out on their feet," he said. "A real show of resistance, a lot of toughness in our play."
Disappointed Springbok captain Siya Kolisi added: "We made it tough for ourselves. We had so many chances that we could have taken.
"We know we are our own enemies," admitted the flanker.
South Africa dominated territory and possession in an opening 40 minutes where England lock Maro Itoje was sent to the sin-bin.
Yet they turned round a mere 8-6 in front, having scored the game's only try through wing Sbu Nkosi, with fly-half Handre Pollard kicking a penalty to two from England counterpart Farrell.
England, despite being on the defensive for so long, took a 9-8 lead early in the second period when long-range kick specialist Elliot Daly landed a penalty from just inside the Springbok half.
Pollard hit back with another for the Springboks before grazing the post three minutes from time.
England's last match had seen them beat South Africa 25-10 in Cape Town in June, although the Springboks won the three-match series 2-1.
England face New Zealand at Twickenham next weekend, when South Africa play France in Paris.
