Mike Tindall gets his pass away (Getty Images).

By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, Perth

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England took a giant stride towards next month's World Cup final in Sydney after Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood combined to thwart fierce rivals South Africa at Subiaco Oval.

Wilkinson's 20-point haul - four penalties, two drop-goals and a conversion of Greenwood's 63rd-minute try - put England in charge of Pool C after a stamina-sapping forward battle.

Provided they do not come unstuck against remaining group opponents Samoa and Uruguay, then England should avoid both New Zealand and Australia until the November 22 final.

Their likely quarter-final opponents are Wales, with France awaiting them at the last-four stage.

In contrast to Wilkinson's deadly accuracy, his opposite number Louis Koen had a nightmare, missing four penalties and seeing a kick charged down that led directly to Greenwood's clincher.

Koen's attempted defensive clearance bounced off Wilkinson, under pressure by flanker Lewis Moody, leaving Greenwood to hack on and pick up for his 28th Test try.

Koen was successful with two first-half penalties, and the teams were locked 6-6 at the break, but England stepped it up when it really mattered to record their fifth successive victory over South Africa.

England though, were given a major fright by the proud Springboks, who competed tooth and nail up front and created a number of excellent attacking opportunities.

They erased memories of last November's record 53-3 drubbing by England at Twickenham through their determined approach, and unlike events in south-west London, there was not one hint of South African foul play.

With Prince Harry, a fervent English supporter, in the stands, the Six Nations champions began brightly and Wilkinson rifled over a superb 40-metre penalty for a 3-0 lead inside four minutes.

England looked threatening in open play, especially wing Jason Robinson, and the game's initial collisions claimed a casualty when Springboks prop Richard Bands was forced off after seven minutes, to be replaced by Lawrence Sephaka.

England almost scored in the 11th minute when wing Ben Cohen freed Mike Tindall wide out, but a brilliant tackle from Muller kept South Africa's line intact.

Bands returned to the action on 14 minutes, which sparked a promising South African field position. Van der Westhuizen's wild pass though, meant that England had nothing to worry about.

Koen then had an attempted drop-goal charged down, and when England played possession off the floor, Koen found his range, making it 3-3 after a lively opening quarter neared its conclusion.

There was nothing to choose between the sides, but England needed some individual flair to break the stalemate as they were clearly rattled by an aggressive Springboks side.

The game was akin to a heavyweight boxing match, with both sides scoring technical points, yet being unable to administer anything remotely like a knockout punch.

Wilkinson slotted his second penalty on 29 minutes, a superbly-struck effort, to put England 6-3 ahead, only for South Africa to gain an equalising chance when Moody was whistled after a late tackle.

Koen's kick unluckily bounced back off the bar, allowing England to try to forge ahead with nine minutes of the half remaining.

Johnson's team needed to increase the tempo considerably, but they continued conceding penalties. Luckily for them, Koen's third miss from four attempts meant that they preserved a narrow lead.

England ultimately took charge when it really mattered, taking the game out of South Africa's reach between the 63rd and 74th minutes.

Greenwood's score, in addition to a Wilkinson conversion and two drop-goals, won the day and kept their World Cup odyssey on course for the ultimate prize.

Teams

England: Lewsey, Robinson, Greenwood, Tindall, Cohen, Wilkinson, Bracken, Woodman, Thompson, Vickery, Johnson, Kay, Moody, Back, Dallaglio.

Replacements: Luger for Tindall (71), Leonard for Woodman (74).

Not Used: West, Corry, Grayson, Gomarsall, Worsley.

Tries: Greenwood.

Cons: Wilkinson.

Pens: Wilkinson 4.

Drop Goals: Wilkinson 2.

South Africa: van der Westhuyzen, Willemse, Muller, Barry, Delport, Koen, van der Westhuizen, Bezuidenhout, Coetzee, Bands, Botha, Matfield, Krige, van Niekerk, Smith.

Replacements: Hougaard for Koen (69), Smit for Coetzee (60), Sephaka for Bands (69).

Not Used: Boome, Rossouw, de Kock, Greeff.

Pens: Koen 2.

Att: 49,922

Ref: Peter Marshall (Australia).