Man Marking England
Elliot Daly Full-back
Monster penalty inside the first two minutes. Then an easy try in the corner. But a mixed bag thereafter.
Mako Vunipola Prop
Given the honour of walking out ahead of the team on his 50th cap. Blotted copybook with a yellow card for a shoulder on De Klerk.
Jonny May Wing
Livewire start. Lovely line and pass for Daly’s try and also assisted Farrell’s. He gave England hope with sensational late try.
Jamie George Hooker
Two penalties conceded for hanging around in offside positions. And was part of front row which struggled to impose itself.
Henry Slade Centre
Dreamy offload out of the back of the hand to Brown in a superb first 20 minutes. Tackled well, too. But faded as the game wore on.
Kyle Sinckler Prop
Handed chance to show what he could do from the start, rather than as one of England’s finishers. Did not really take it.
Owen Farrell Centre
His partnership with Ford is poetry in motion when they are both on song. Uncharacteristic missed conversion from Itoje’s try.
Maro Itoje Lock
His targeting of Faf de Klerk cost England. Rash dive allowed Springbok No 9 to cross. Did score an excellent try with long reach.
Mike Brown Wing
Took less than four minutes to silence his critics with a score in the corner. Crucial turnover at 39-32 and defensively sound.
Nick Isiekwe Lock
Won his place thanks to Joe Launchbury’s calf injury but had a day to forget. Fell off a few tackles and hauled off after 36 minutes.
George Ford Fly-half
No one better when given space and front-foot ball. The pass off to set up Jonny May’s try was sublime but he then faded.
Chris Robshaw Flanker
Under pressure from Shields after one of his poorest games in an England shirt v Baa-Baas. Honest endeavour as you would expect.
Ben Youngs Scrum-half
He was another who faded after a bright start along with rest of his side. His missed touch finder was crucial to South Africa’s recovery.
Tom Curry Fly-half
There was a lot expected of the 19-year-old, perhaps too much. One excellent bright run but struggled to impose himself.
Replacements
B Shields (Isiekwe 36) H Williams (Sincker 58) L Cowan-Dickie (George 64) N Hughes (T Curry 66) D Solomona (Brown 76) P Francis (Ford 76)
B Spencer (Youngs 76) J Marler (M Vunipola 76)
Billy Vunipola No 8
Dropped an early ball. His massive presence made a difference when providing decoys for England’s midfield, but not as much as usual.