South Africa have ramped up the pressure on England and Steve Borthwick even further after their 29-20 victory at Twickenham on Saturday evening, in what was a gripping contest throughout.
After a fast start from England, it was South Africa who stamped their authority on the Autumn International, after running in three tries. The reigning World Cup champions’ consigned England to a fifth consecutive defeat with Borthwick under immense pressure now to turn things around.
Next up for England is Japan, as they desperately aim to end their Autumn campaign on a positive note. In the meantime, Express Sport has run the rule over the players in action at Twickenham…
England player ratings
Freddie Steward – At fault for tries by Kolbe and Williams as he endured a difficult return to starting line-up. 4
Tommy Freeman – His best work, an aerial catch to set up Slade’s try, was chalked off by an Itoje infringement. 5
Ollie Lawrence – Hit hard and carried hard, but in this fixture that is a minimum requirement. 5
Henry Slade – A try assist and unlucky to have one of his own chalked off. Best start of the autumn. 7
Ollie Sleightholme – Backed up two-try cameo against Australia with score which gave England early hope. At fault for Kolbe’s second. 6
Marcus Smith – Again England’s star man, a perennial threat. Deserves so much more than yet another defeat. 8
Jack van Poortvliet – First start in a long while and it showed. Repeatedly charged down at the base. 3
Ellis Genge – Scrum problems in first half, usual full-blooded commitment for an hour. 5
Jamie George – Cut a frustrated figure for 50 minutes. Replacement Cowan-Dickie made mess of key line out when England threatened comeback. 5
Will Stuart – England again unable to build any sort of attacking platform from their scrum against the mighty Boks. 5
Maro Itoje – Disappointing restarts and pinged for neck roll which cost Slade a second half try. 5
George Martin – Borthwick demanded a power-packed display from the big man and he delivered against biggest of them all. 6
Chandler Cunningham-South – After terrorising opponents in tackle in previous weeks he rather met his match in this fixture. 6
Sam Underhill – Cut a superb line for try which kept England in game at half-time. Outstanding return. 7
Ben Earl – No shortage of energy but unable to make serious inroads into Springboks’ defence. 6
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie 5 (George 49), Fin Baxter 5 (Genge 66), Dan Cole 5 (Stuart 59), Nick Isiekwe 5 (Martin 76), Alex Dombrandt 5 (Underhill 67), Harry Randall 6 (Van Poortvliet 61), George Ford (unused), Tom Roebuck 5 (Slade 49-58).
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi 7; Cheslin Kolbe 9, Jesse Kriel 7, Damien de Allende 7, Kurt-Lee Arendse 8; Manie Libbok 6, Grant Williams 8; Ox Nche 7, Bongi Mbonambi 7, Wilco Louw 6, Eben Etzebeth 7, RG Snyman 7, Siya Kolisi (capt) 7, Pieter-Steph du Toit 8, Jasper Wiese 7.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx 7 (Mbonambi 46), Gerhard Steenekamp 5 (Nche 50), Vincent Koch 6 (Louw 42), Elrigh Louw 6 (Du Toit 62), Kwagga Smith 6 (Wiese 61), Cobus Reinach 6 (Williams 61), Handre Pollard 6 (Libbok 46), Lukhanyo Am 6 (De Allende 69).
Man of the match: Cheslin Kolbe – two tries and the full package of pace, footwork and finishing.
