WORCESTER Warriors centre Ben Te’o helped England kick off their autumn internationals with a 12-11 victory over South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

The fit-again 31-year-old who has made just one appearance for Warriors this season due to injury played 73 minutes of England’s triumph.

South Africa led by two points at the break through a penalty from Handre Pollard and Sbu Nkosi’s try with England’s points coming via the boot of Owen Farrell.

However, Elliot Daly’s monster penalty gave England the lead and although they were pegged back by Pollard, Farrell’s late strike won the game.

England head coach Eddie Jones paid tribute to his side for winning their “arm wrestle” with the Springboks.

“It was a tough old game of rugby,” Jones said.

“It went down to the wire.

“We played some of the big moments well which allowed us to win the game and I’m super proud of our boys.

“We’ve had three training runs and to put together a cohesive performance like that, particularly defensively, is absolutely first class.”

England play host to world champions New Zealand on Saturday (3pm).

Jones added: “They’ll be confident and we can’t wait to get them.”