Ben Youngs admits poor start ''killed'' England against South Africa

Ben Youngs has admitted that England's poor start "killed" them as they slipped to series defeat by losing the second Test against South Africa 36-27.

England trailed 28-10 but showed great spirit to fight back in the second half, with Youngs scoring twice.

The Leicester scrum-half told Sky Sports News: "The first 20 minutes killed us unfortunately and we were always playing catch-up. Great spirit by the boys but at the end it didn't count for much.

"Now we've lost the series but we've got one more big effort next week. It was a great effort and great heart from the boys but we can't give them the first 20 minutes like that and be playing catch-up in a game like this."

England will be playing for pride when they face the Springboks in the third Test on June 23.