England player ratings vs South Africa | Autumn Nations Series
England player ratings: This was a November heavyweight clash that lived up to its box office billing, the outcome going right down to the wire before the 80th-minute Marcus Smith penalty edged England to their gripping 27-26 Autumn Nations Series victory over the Springboks. They had stormed into the fray like a raging bull, scoring more points in under 20 minutes than they managed in the entire World Cup final match two years ago.
Eleven was the furthest they got ahead, a margin cut to five points by the break and when an avalanche of penalties against them left England hanging midway through the second half, the Springboks jumped a point ahead on 64 minutes, sparking an extraordinary finish. The lead flipped over and back and over again, there was a pair of yellow cards brandished and a whole pile of the edge-of-your-seat incidents further added to the drama.
In the end, the penalty count was 18-8 against England but they showed incredible resilience to see off this duress and sneak the win that will have Eddie Jones believing his revamped squad is on the right track towards 2023 World Cup glory following their three-game November winning streak.
It was the sort of jaw-dropping climax that would have the absent Rassie Erasmus seething if he was there running water for his Springboks, livid that the hosts had somehow found a way to win the day even though they had been scrummed and mauled backwards. Here are the RugbyPass England player ratings live from Twickenham:
FREDDIE STEWARD – 9
Spoke enthusiastically during the week about his love for going in the air and catching high balls and he immediately showed this by fetching and breaking to invite the crowd to quickly join the action. His try on 17 minutes was sweetly finished, a further feather in his cap being that he helped its creation with an earlier pass to send Max Malins away. Carried on industriously in the second half, initially making an important read that tempted Siya Kolisi to butcher a two-on-one. Brilliant mark soon after and it was this confidence under the high ball that ended the game, Steward getting poleaxed by Eben Etzebeth, England getting the penalty and Smith kicking it dead.
Try v Australia ??
Try v @Springboks ??@freddiesteward_ on ??? for @EnglandRugby #AutumnNationsSeries #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/6Ub3Wl68xL— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 20, 2021
JOE MARCHANT – 8
Described by Jones as the ideal candidate to surprisingly start on the basis of how the Springboks would look to play against England, his second-ever Test start began with an adventurous aerial catch and it soon became even more eventful as the unfortunate exit of Manu Tuilagi resulted in him switching to his more familiar No13 midfield position. Showed over-enthusiasm when blown for being ahead of a potentially troubling Jonny May kick through on 28 minutes. Was there when England needed him most, though, breaking for Raffi Quirke to score and then jumping in the air in the incident that left Kolisi yellow carded.
HENRY SLADE – 9
Jones’ most selected starter in England’s ten-game 2021 schedule, his ninth appearance of the year showcased how much of his importance in making his country’s tick. It was his sweet hands that got Tuilagi in at the corner on seven minutes and having then moved to inside centre with the No12 injured, he saw out the rest of the opening half as a source of further encouragement. His thrilling offload then generated the third England try that put them back in front on 65 minutes before the grandstand finish.
MANU TUILAGI – 6, MAX MALINS – 8
Tuilagi ran out with the more familiar No12 on his back unlike last week’s cameo as a false No14 but he sadly didn’t hang around too long. His heavily strapped right leg was a bit of a giveaway that there might be an issue and he limped out of the contest after expertly diving in at the corner to score the game’s opening points. What England lost in physicality was made up for, though, by Malins’ breezy nonchalance. He was integral in the move for his team’s second try and looked dangerous every time he got on the ball. He then made two try-saving interventions in the second half, first tackling Cobus Reinach and then holding Kwagga Smith up over the line.
JONNY MAY – 7
The leading England try-scorer in the Jones era fashionably looked the part with his mo’ but his hands weren’t as attractive at times. He made some good yardage in traffic in the lead up to the Tuilagi try but two fumbles allowed the Springboks some breathing space, his second error costing three penalty points. Redeemed himself with an important advance in the Steward score and showed improved hands when tidily dealing the next Willie le Roux kick ahead. Faded for a while in the second half as the action was elsewhere, but he ultimately helped keep England calm going down the finishing stretch.
MARCUS SMITH – 8
The biggest game of his fledgling Test career started enterprisingly with excellent spatial awareness identifying the opportunity for Slade to enjoy the assist for the scoring Tuilagi. Was happy to continue orchestrating through the pass rather than attack the line himself. Three out of three off the tee in the first half was solid. The second half was quite the cauldron with England under the pump but he brilliantly kept his composure. It was his kick that led to the yellow-carded Kolisi error and he then bravely competed for the ball that forced the foul from Frans Steyn that gave the youngster the winning kick. An excellent step forward in his development.
BEN YOUNGS – 7
The centurion Test half-back lives for these sorts of occasions but there was one annoying kick out on the full and a curious choice to kick away possession that allowed the Springboks to end the first half on their terms just five points down rather than give his team a final chance to attack. Had passed well but gave way for Quirke on 50 minutes having kicked more times from the hand than Smith would do in the entire 80 minutes. Subbing Youngs that early was a bold move by Jones as there were no other backs then left on the bench at that stage but Quirke was smashing and his try a joyous joy.
BEVAN RODD – 7
Emerged unscathed in his debut last weekend but this was another level altogether, a jump into a much deeper end. Would have had his confidence soaring winning a penalty on a Springboks feed eleven minutes in, Trevor Nyakane getting done. It was his determined tackle that then gave Smith the penalty kick for 17-6 on 24 minutes. Was driven back in a dominant Ox Nche tackle eleven minutes later and was off on 48 minutes for Joe Marler. Left with his head held high as the problems that emerged at the scrum were on the other side.
JAMIE BLAMIRE – 7
A weird pick in the sense that he hasn’t even started a game this season for his club but he fitted in sweetly in an extravagant England start. Hit his rucks and showed good hands taking a pass back from Kyle Sinckler after a short throw and then gathering a South African overthrow near halftime. Hung around until 60 minutes when Nic Dolly came on for a debut. Was missed as well as two England lineouts went astray with the game in the melting pot.
"The moment of his life"
What a time for Raffi Quirke to score his first @EnglandRugby try ?
UK viewers can watch the #AutumnNationsSeries
live on @primevideosport ?#ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/4OBqJhyJlr— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 20, 2021
KYLE SINCKLER – 6
Left his scrum coach feeling proud against the Wallabies for the way he carried on despite a knock and he started imperiously here, beaming with an early scrum penalty. Seemed to run out of gas, though, as he went on to concede a flurry of penalties and was taken from the contest on 56 minutes. Replacement Will Stuart was yellow-carded eleven minutes later, paying the price for coming in at the side of a maul.
MARO ITOJE – 8
One of the three players in this England side to have started all three Tests in the Lions series, he quickly got into the spirit of the occasion by helping to fire up his team’s scrum and have them hammering away physically at the breakdown. A lesser player would have crumbled amid the second-half onslaught and while he did give away the ruck penalty that allowed Steyn to put the South Africans 26-24 ahead, he dusted himself down and led the compelling fightback. Finished as his team’s most frequent ball carrier along with Steward.
JONNY HILL – 7
A year and a dozen caps into his Test career and a week after he was his team’s top tackler versus the Wallabies, Hill initially looked very good only to go on and get pulled on the hour mark with the Springboks in the ascendency at maul and scrum. His replacement Charlie Ewels was soon in TMO drama, a clash with Etzebeth heavily reviewed before it was decided it was just a penalty offence.
"You sensed it would be epic for the moment you stepped out at Twickenham rail station…"
– @heagnel ??? on a classic England rugby day that will live long in the memory#England #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries #Springbokshttps://t.co/UJEwrjIowN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 20, 2021
COURTNEY LAWES – 8
Skipper for the day in the absence of the injured Owen Farrell, he was another who rode the roller coaster with great enthusiasm, revelling in the many ups before the exhausting downs left England needing a late change. Had collapsed the maul that allowed the Springboks to get back to 17-12 and was ultimately taken off with seven minutes remaining, Sam Simmonds seeing the game out. The captain was spotted celebrating prematurely, racing onto the pitch thinking the game was over when it wasn’t.
SAM UNDERHILL – 7
Showed wonderful dexterity with an immaculate scoop off the floor on 33 minutes that was nearly a try-maker, but he went on to suffer amid the penalty momentum that the Springboks generated. Was penalised when going for a poach on 54 minutes and that was the end for him, Alex Dombrandt arriving to add soakage to the pressure. He did well, finishing as a joint top tackler with Tom Curry.
TOM CURRY – 8
Came at the Springboks here in the different role of England No8 compared to being the Lions No7 during the summer and was another who shone brightly when his team flew through the early exchanges. A highlight was the excellent turnover that allowed Smith to kick a first-half penalty. He finished the game as the England captain with Lawes going on and his grit was pivotal to England holding their nerve and he tackled his way into double figures.
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
7 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
7 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
7 Go to comments