England player ratings following defeat in Bloemfontein
England responded to their defeat in Joahnnesburg with a similarly frustrating performance in Bloemfontein, starting brightly and racing into a substantial early lead, only to let South Africa back into the game and lose their composure.
The Springboks recorded a well-deserved 23-12 win on the occasion of Tendai Mtawarira’s 100th cap and England were left once more in a position of having taken one step forward, only to then take two steps back.
We have rated all 23 players on a tough and testing outfit at the Free State Stadium.
- Elliot Daly – 6
An improved display from the one in Johannesburg. Offensively, Daly was regularly deployed at 15, joining the back line between Henry Slade and the wings, providing the speed and quick hands to put both wings away, including assisting on Jonny May’s first half try.
- Jonny May – 7
Showcased his speed to scorch passed the South African defence for a try, whilst also regularly looking for work off of his wing, including putting Mike Brown in for an early try on the left wing. Provided a good kick chase and competition for the ball on the right wing, too.
- Henry Slade – 5
Slade ran some hard lines which tested the South African defence but, just as in Johannesburg, he was caught narrow defensively on a couple of occasions, with none of the comfort England’s wings are used to with Jonathan Joseph. Good and quick hands, as ever.
- Owen Farrell – 5
A mixture of good and bad from the England captain. A try-saving tap tackle on Damian de Allende and an undefendable fizzing pass for May to put Brown in for a try were among the highlights, whilst a forward pass just metres from his own try line and twice opting to turn down three points for lineouts among the errors, in hindsight.
- Mike Brown – 7
Brown took his try well and looked more comfortable in defence than he had a week before, regularly moving into full-back as part of a pendulum with Daly. Showed good hands to keep alive the ball in midfield and set up May’s early score. Made two try-saving tackles at full-back.
- George Ford – 5
Did not quite have the same attacking impact in Bloemfontein that he did in Johannesburg, with the likes of Farrell, Daly and May popping up with the key passes to put players through holes or round the edge with overlaps. Had his defence tested and exposed on occasion by the powerful Springbok carriers, too.
- Ben Youngs – 6
Nearly gifted South Africa a try with a wide pass intercepted by de Allende but was otherwise solid, if not spectacular for England. Seemed to have his kicking game at altitude more finely-tuned than a week previous, with effective clearances and contestable box-kicks. Wasted a break in the second half.
- Mako Vunipola – 6
The loosehead had the better of Frans Malherbe in the scrum and put in some dominant tackles on the gain-line but was lucky not to see yellow for a needless shove of Pieter-Steph du Toit’s head on the floor.
- Jamie George – 7
A much cleaner performance from George, with the hooker connecting on 13 of his 14 throws and not giving away multiple penalties, as happened in Johannesburg. Still not offering the offensive dynamism we have seen from him many times before when called upon from the bench, but a solid performance nonetheless.
- Kyle Sinckler – 5
Struggled initially against Tendai Mtawarira but the contest evened out as the first half went on. He was busy defensively in the loose but couldn’t offer the same offensive impact he usually does from the bench. Steven Kitshoff forced a penalty try out of him before he left the field in the second half.
- Joe Launchbury – 5
Typically industrious on the fringes and at attacking breakdowns early on but failed to offer the ability in the loose that he is capable of as a ball-carrier. Faded out of the game in the second half, which was unsurprising given his recent injury, the game being at altitude and no second-row cover on the bench.
- Maro Itoje – 6
An improvement from the first Test, with Itoje a recipient of 10 of George’s 14 throws at the lineout, as well as making several dominant tackles on the gain-line. Held up Kitshoff to prevent a South African try in the second half but had a key knock-on when England were building pressure.
- Brad Shields – 7
An encouraging first start from Shields. Read South Africa well to grab an intercept and steal a lineout, whilst also showing good body control and balance over the ball at the breakdown.
- Tom Curry – 7
One of the few shining lights in the England pack, securing a couple of turnovers and putting pressure on South African kickers and first receivers. Saved a try, too, with an important turnover at the maul, working his way up the middle and getting his hands on the ball.
- Billy Vunipola – 5
Popped up with a couple of big carries but certainly not his best performance in an England jersey. Drifted out too wide in defence which allowed Duane Vermeulen to step back inside and score South Africa’s opening try, as well as a missed tackle on his opposite number later in the half. Left the game just prior to half-time with an injury.
Replacements
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Successful with his two lineout throws and added some punch as a carrier.
- Joe Marler – 6
A nice cut-back pass as a first receiver showed there’s more to his game than simply the set-piece.
- Harry Williams – 5
Struggled to live with Kitshoff at the scrum after replacing Sinckler and didn’t have much opportunity with ball in hand.
- Mark Wilson – 6
A late cameo with few opportunities to influence the game.
- Nathan Hughes – 5
Replaced Vunipola just before the half but was unable to put a positive stamp on the game. Saw yellow late on for a needless penalty playing the ball when he was off his feet and sat out the final 10 minutes of the game.
- Ben Spencer – n/a
Came on too late to have any real impact on the game.
- Danny Cipriani – 6
Probably arrived too late to have any real chance of changing the game but did show several nice touches, including a basketball over-the-top offload, some quick hands and a deft grubber kick. Impossible to compare to Ford’s 65-minute shift but did his chances of starting the third Test no harm at all.
- Denny Solomona – 6
Came on late and wasn’t able to influence the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Looked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
33 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
33 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
33 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
33 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
33 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
33 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
33 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
33 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
33 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to comments