'We are disappointed but immensely proud'

England head coach Steve Borthwick consoles his players Ellis Genge (left) and Freddie Steward (right) after losing to South Africa in the World Cup semi-final

Steve Borthwick said he was "disappointed but immensely proud" after England's 16-15 World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa.

Borthwick's side lost five of their six games before the tournament but went on to win Pool D and reach the last four.

"I care an awful lot for the players so I'm gutted for them," said Borthwick.

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Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the England head coach added: "I really care deeply about English rugby and our supporters. There have been some tough times and we have work to do but you will see just how much those players care about representing their country.

"In any game like this you have to credit the opposition, who found a way to win at the end. South Africa are current world champions and world number ones for a reason.

"We thought we were going to win tonight and we came here believing we would win. The players deserve enormous credit for that.

"I think the tens of thousands of England fans watching here tonight and the millions watching at home will be very proud of their team."

England produced their best performance of the campaign at the rain-drenched Stade de France as Owen Farrell kicked four penalties and a drop goal to open up a nine-point lead in the second half.

South Africa made changes across the team and began to dominate in the scrum, which proved to be their launchpad back into the game as RG Snyman scored the only try before Pollard's huge penalty claimed victory.

Borthwick replaced Eddie Jones as head coach last December but pointed to the future with his youthful side.

"We have a very smart group of players that are learning very quickly because we have had to do it very quickly," he said. "The opposition have had four years and we have had four months.

"That is why the players deserve enormous credit. I asked the players to approach the training differently and they have embraced that.

"In that 23-man squad, we have seven players aged 25 or younger. That is the most of any of the semi-finalists so we have a great blend of experience and young players.

"We are disappointed but immensely proud of these guys and we'll build going forward."

'Sport is cruel sometimes'

One of those expected to be tasked with England's rebuild in the future is full-back Freddie Steward.

The 22-year-old was composed under the high ball in greasy conditions on his return to the starting 15 after dropping out of the side for Marcus Smith in the quarter-final win over Fiji.

"A lot of raw emotions at the minute... To go that close against such a great outfit and to not get there in the end is a tough one to take. Sport is cruel sometimes," Steward told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"You have to credit South Africa, they fought till the end and made us pay for a few mistakes. But I am so proud of the effort that the boys gave tonight.

"The coaching staff, they made us believe. They put the plan together and we were so close, but did not get there unfortunately."

On returning to the squad, Steward said he was "as pleased as you can be".

He added: "Steve Borthwick made it clear. It is a squad of 33 and it is a 33-man effort, even the lads not in the squad tonight gave everything to help us and it is just unfortunate that it has ended this way."