England suffered a third straight November defeat and fifth consecutive loss as Steve Borthwick’s side were beaten 29-20 by South Africa.
The back-to-back world champions outscored their opponents three tries to two in a thrilling Test match that went back and forth in front of a capacity crowd.
In the end, England’s accuracy in the final quarter let them down as they failed to make the most of the Springboks being reduced to 14 men.
Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER was at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham to rate both sets of players…
England suffered their fifth defeat in a row as they played host to South Africa at Twickenham
Steve Borthwick’s side lacked accuracy in the final quarter as they succumbed to a 29-20 loss
The double world champions ultimately proved too much for their hosts on Saturday
ENGLAND
Freddie Steward – 5
Back in the team to defuse South Africa’s aerial threat. Did that well but was made to look a fool for South Africa’s tries from Grant Williams and Cheslin Kolbe. Never stopped working.
Tommy Freeman – 6
Early carry from a scrum was promising after two quiet weeks. Temporarily moved to centre in the second half.
Ollie Lawrence – 5
Poor kick option as well as execution when England attack was on the front foot. England needed to see more of him once again.
Henry Slade – 5.5
Did basics well for England opener. Thought he’d scored after easy finish, but play was brought back and to make matters worse he was also forced off for head injury.
Ollie Sleightholme – 7.5
Two tries last week and another on his first Test start. He certainly knows where the line is.
Marcus Smith – 8
Did brilliantly to fake drop goal then attack to create Sleightholme score. He was given the whole game at No 10 but couldn’t quite drive his team over the line.
Freddie Stewart gave his all but was unable to deal with the Springboks going forward
Henry Slade looked to have slid over but his try was ruled out before he was forced off injured
Marcus Smith remains a shining light in a struggling side but couldn’t inspire England to victory
Jack van Poortvliet – 3
Spilled the ball at his first breakdown after recall. He was regularly charged down by South Africa’s giant forwards as he struggled with impact of new law trials on banning blockers.
Ellis Genge – 3
Would have been disappointed to miss tackle for South Africa’s first. England can’t concede soft tries like that and hope to be successful. Gave away too many penalties.
Jamie George (capt) – 6
Looked quietly menacing in the tunnel and tackled his heart out in the first 40. Stepped by Cheslin Kolbe when the game resumed but he wasn’t the only one.
Will Stuart – 6.5
Perhaps harshly penalised for high tackle, but it gave South Africa the field position from which they scored their third try. Other than that did well at the scrum once again.
Maro Itoje – 6.5
He is used to being physically dominant, but he was smashed back in contact by Siya Kolisi and Jasper Wiese. Penalised for a neck roll which meant Slade try was chalked off.
George Martin – 7
He was immense against South Africa in last year’s World Cup semi-final loss and produced a fine carry to create try for Sam Underhill. Emptied the tank.
Chandler Cunningham-South – 5.5
There can be no doubt his talent. However, he met his match in an extraordinary Springbok back-row who destroyed everything in sight.
Sam Underhill – 7
Back in the side for injured Tom Curry. He finished his try very well. Whenever he is in the team, he delivers a big performance.
Ben Earl – 6.5
Brilliant breakdown work relieved some pressure. Dynamic in the carry with nice footwork against giant opposition, but missed crucial tackle on Damian de Allende.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie 5.5 (for George 49), Tom Roebuck 6.5 (for Slade 49-59), Dan Cole 5.5 (for Stuart 59), Harry Randall 5 (for Van Poortvliet 61), Fin Baxter 5 (for Genge 65), Alex Dombrandt 5 (for Underhill 68), Nick Isiekwe 5.5 (for Martin 76)
Replacement not used: George Ford
SOUTH AFRICA
Aphelele Fassi – 6
He thought he’d emerged from a quiet first 40 by setting up Kurt-Lee Arendse, but his pass was rightly judged forward.
Cheslin Kolbe – 9
Forced into lots of early defensive work. His first attacking moment saw him score from a cross-kick. He could step you in a phone box and produced brilliant second too.
Jesse Kriel – 6
One of his quieter games. Not much to report but a winner once again.
Damian de Allende – 7.5
Muscled up well defensively. He’d been quiet in attack until he broke through midfield to set-up Kolbe’s second. It was ruthlessly efficient.
Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
Beat Smith in the air. Brilliant pace to score at start of second half. Fine player.
Manie Libbok – 6.5
There is a feeling teams can get at him defensively. But he plays in such a good team he’s not often tested there. Replaced by Handre Pollard for greater control.
Grant Williams – 7.5
Spilled ball straight away but more than made up for it with sniping run to score. Danced round Steward with ease on way to the line.
Ox Nche – 5
He fuels his remarkable scrummaging prowess with chocolate cake. Lasted just over half an hour before limping off injured to be replaced by Gerhard Steenekamp.
Bongi Mbonambi – 6.5
Usual strong work at the scrum. The fact South Africa could replace him with Malcolm Marx shows their incredible strength in depth.
Wilco Louw – 6.5
Former Harlequins prop was back on familiar turf. Showed strength with one carry close to his own line and milked penalty out of Genge.
Eben Etzebeth – 7.5
Absolute menace, charging down England kicks for fun. Good line-out work too.
RG Snyman – 8.5
Stole line-out ball from Itoje and then carried it forward in one hand. He is a monstrous bloke and delivered a huge performance!
Siya Kolisi (capt) – 8
Led his team’s singing in the tunnel and then cut Earl in half with a monster man-and-ball tackle from a line-out.
Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7.5
Penalised at a breakdown. However, his charge down on Smith created a South African try out of nowhere.
Jasper Wiese – 7.5
He put his former Leicester team-mate Van Poortvliet under pressure and then helped Kolisi take down Itoje. Good breakdown work earned shot at goal.
Replacements: Gerhard Steenekamp 5 (for Nche 33), Vincent Koch 7 (for Louw 42), Handre Pollard 8 (for Libbok 46), Malcom Marx 7 (for Mbonambi 46), Kwagga Smith 6.5 (for Wiese 61), Cobus Reinach 7 (for Williams 61), Elrigh Louw 7 (for Du Toit 61-67), Du Toit 7.5 (for Etzebeth 67), Lukhanyo Am 5 (for De Allende 69), Steenekamp 5 (for Kolisi 72)
Scorers
England Tries: Sleightholme 5, Underhill 26
Cons: Smith 5, 27
Pens: Smith 16, 52
South Africa Tries: Williams 11, Du Toit 17, Kolbe 22, 63
Cons: Libbok 12,23, Pollard 64
Pen: Pollard 59
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Attendance: 81,910
Player of the match: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
