South Africa vs England - English Player Ratings
England got their summer series off to a rollercoaster start, racing into a 24-3 point lead in Johannesburg, before imploding late in the first half and ultimately succumbing to a 42-39 loss at Ellis Park.
There were plenty of positives for England early in the game and then again later, as they attempted to chase the Springboks down, but it was a performance littered with errors and inconsistencies.
We have run the rule over the England side and rated all the performers, from one to 23.
Continue reading below…
- Elliot Daly – 5
After nailing a 61m penalty in the opening minutes of the game and cruising in for England’s third try, it quickly began to unravel for Daly. Two turnovers kicked out on the full, a missed grounding of the ball inside his own try-line and defensive errors in conjunction with Brown on the left wing. He redeemed himself somewhat with an excellent defensive read early in the second half that saved a certain try.
- Jonny May – 8
Showed good speed and work rate to set up two of England’s three early tries, coming off his wing to set up the second. Arguably too passive in defence for Sbu Nkosi’s second try of the game. Weaved his way to a wonderful try late in the game and gave England a shot at victory with two minutes to play.
- Henry Slade – 5
Showed good, quick hands, to help England get the ball wide early but faded out of the game as it went on and South Africa got the ascendancy up front. A frustrating knock-on in a tackle by Faf de Klerk after a significant break in the second half ended a minor swing in momentum towards England, as did one when Slade came back against the grain outside Ford a few minutes later.
- Owen Farrell – 6
Provided a clinical secondary option outside of George Ford and was justly rewarded for his playmaking when his support-running brought him a try from a May break in the first half. Kicked well but missed a crucial conversion late on that would have brought England within one score of taking the lead. Like England’s other playmakers, faded as the game went on.
- Mike Brown – 6
Started brightly, showing good footwork and strength to get over for England’s first try, but then struggled defensively with his positioning and lateral quickness. Defensively grew into the game in the second half but there will still be questions about his and Daly’s respective positions in this XV. Won two turnovers, to his credit.
- George Ford – 6
Pulled the strings excellent in the first quarter of the match, fizzing passes that picked apart a narrow Springbok defence. As South Africa began to dominate in the second and third quarters, Ford disappeared from the game, though.
- Ben Youngs – 5
A mixed bag for Youngs, who looked bright early with his passing and support-running, but uncharacteristically struggled with his kicks from hand, either not allowing his chasers to compete or failing to find touch. Struggled to keep de Klerk under wraps.
- Mako Vunipola – 5
Showed plenty of work rate and stamina and was having an influence in both attack and defence, before a yellow card for a late tackle tarnished what had otherwise been a solid outing.
- Jamie George – 5
The lineout worked well, in limited opportunities, but George leaked penalties in the first half, twice pinged for failing to roll away at the contact area. Did not influence the game in the loose in the way he would have liked, either.
- Kyle Sinckler – 6
Won a penalty from Tendai Mtawawira in the opening exchanges, before settling into a close-fought battle between the two. Came under pressure in the second half when the fresh legs of Steven Kitshoff came on to the pitch and didn’t manage to have the impact in the loose he would have wanted.
- Maro Itoje – 5
Leaked penalties in the first half and got caught out on the fringes by the effervescent Faf de Klerk. Indiscipline carried on in the second half, both at the breakdown and with high tackles. He was England’s primary lineout jumper, though, and had 100% success with George at the set-piece. Stretched over for a pivotal try late on, a score that few others would have had the reach to make.
- Nick Isiekwe – 6
The lock was the unlucky player to get the shepherd’s crook in the first half when England began to implode and they sent for the experience of Brad Shields. He led the line with good speed in the 35 minutes he was on the pitch and can count himself unfortunate to be the player sacrificed.
- Chris Robshaw – 5
Not the bounce-back performance from a forgettable outing against the Barbarians that Robshaw wanted. Worked hard for 80 minutes but couldn’t exert any major influence as a carrier or at the breakdown. Struggled to stop physical South African carriers on the gain-line, too.
- Tom Curry – 6
A busy, industrious performance, albeit without the turnovers that many fans, perhaps unfairly, demand of any England seven. A nice burst in the second half showed his potential with ball in hand, too, but an ankle injury saw him replaced shortly after.
- Billy Vunipola – 6
The N8 was reliable under the South African kick-offs and brought an ability to break the Springbok defensive line as a one-out carrier. Couldn’t rip off any carries for big gains but showed signs of improving fitness as he continues his comeback from injury.
Replacements
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Connected successfully with his jumpers on both of his throws shortly after replacing George. Had his final lineout stolen, with England in South Africa’s half and only three points down.
- Joe Marler – n/a
Short cameo after Vunipola’s sin-bin period ended. Limited scope to impact the game.
- Harry Williams – 6
Only had the one scrum to have a go at Kitshoff. Worked hard in the loose, particularly at the breakdown.
- Brad Shields – 6
Arrived at the 35-minute mark for Isiekwe and was most prominent for being the player England sent up to compete against the Springboks lineouts.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
A couple of powerful carriers after he came on but failed to clear-out Kitshoff in the 75th minute, which earned South Africa a penalty and saw them take the lead from seven to ten points.
- Ben Spencer – n/a
Only came on with five minutes left to play and had little chance to influence the game.
- Piers Francis – n/a
Arrived with Spencer and faced the same limited opportunities.
- Denny Solomona – n/a
The same situation as Spencer and Francis.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments