How have England defied expectations to reach Rugby World Cup semi-finals?

England face South Africa in the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday despite entering the competition amid rock-bottom expectations.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the questions surrounding their bid to relieve the Springboks of their crown.

What has happened?

Why was August so bad?

How did they turn it around?

Through a combination of good fortune and competence. Fiercest pool rivals Argentina were clueless and were routed even though England had Tom Curry sent off after 179 seconds, while Japan were a shadow of the team that lit up the 2019 World Cup. That meant by the time they faced a brilliant Samoa they had already qualified as group winners. England were blessed by being picked in the easier side of the draw – and there was no easier battleground than Pool D – but they also played smart rugby, faced down adversity and overall struck the right note in selection, even showing a flair for innovation by picking Marcus Smith at full-back that is a credit to the management.

What role has their conditioning played?

Can they win it?

South Africa’s epic victory over France in the quarter-finals has seen the reigning champions installed as odds-on favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy via a conclusive win over England, but Steve Borthwick’s team have a puncher’s chance. The Springboks are a significant step up in class compared to any opponent they have faced, but England have the muscle to take them on up-front, field some genuine threats in attack – Smith, Ben Earl and Joe Marchant among them – and have developed the priceless knack of finding a way to win. Memories of being overwhelmed in Yokohama in 2019 will drive them on, as will the imminent retirement of a number of long-serving stars, but it remains colossal challenge.