Most valuable player: Faf de Klerk
Rating: 8/10
The “pocket rocket” scrumhalf was sensational on his return to international rugby, despite some nasty off-the-ball attention from England lock Maro Itoje and prop
Mako Vanipola. His try marked the start of the Boks’ fightback and he was the team’s go-to man. His time with the Sale Sharks has made him a more composed and experienced campaigner.
1: Beast Mtawarira Rating: 5/10
A milestone awaits the big Shark prop this weekend when he is set to play his 100th Test for the Boks, and he showcased his vast experience by holding his own at scrum time while erupting the normal “Beeaast” chants from the crowd when he carried.
3: Wilco Louw Rating: 5/10
A late replacement for Trevor Nyakane, who pulled out at the 11th hour with a rib injury, Louw fulfilled his primary duty as a rock at tighthead before being replaced around the 48th minute by Thomas du Toit.
7: Jean-Luc du Preez Rating: 5/10
He went largely unnoticed in the early stages when England surprisingly applied a quick pace to the game instead of kicking, but he came into his own later before being replaced by Pieter-Steph du Toit.
12: Damian de Allende Rating: 5/10
The combination with Am in midfield is clearly still a work in progress, but De Allende was a pillar on defence and made a great delayed pass in the run up to Nkosi’s first try before the Sharks winger chipped forward.
2: Bongi Mbonambi Rating: 5/10
Justifying his coach’s belief in him by doing his tight duties well, he scrummed strongly and found his jumpers in the lineout, but a lack of game time saw him being replaced in the 58th minute by Akker van der Merwe.
4: RG Snyman Rating: 7/10
The Bulls lock was simply outstanding in his debut match for his country and he could make it tough for coach Rassie Erasmus to leave him out after this rousing performance. He carried, defended and competed like a man possessed.
8: Duane Vermeulen Rating: 7/10
The big No 8 showed why he is nicknamed “Thor” and highlighted the Boks’ physical presence when they started their big comeback. His handling skills were superb and he stopped the England ball carriers with his powerful approach.
13: Lukhanyo Am Rating: 5/10
Though he was probably not as influential as he hoped to be, he grew stronger as the game wore on. Apart from the jittery opening 15min, he did his work as defender and distributor in the Boks’ back division.
5: Franco Mostert Rating: 5/10
His workrate remains one of his biggest attributes and he competed well on the England ball in the lineouts. While he was probably not as influential as in some of his early Test matches, he remained a Bok belter.
10: Handre Pollard Rating: 6/10
While he missed three of his 10 kicks at goal, Pollard still racked up 17 points off the tee, again showing his value as a distributor in the Boks backline. He did, however, miss a tackle which resulted in England’s second try.
14: S’bu Nkosi Rating: 7/10
Scoring a brace of tries in his debut Test for the Boks, Nkosi showed he is the right wing the Boks have been looking for to replace JP Pietersen. His work off the ball in the air and at the breakdown was also commendable.
6: Siya Kolisi Rating: 5/10
He probably neglected his own input as he was more zoned in on his captaincy role and marshalling his troops to great effect, while doing his prime duties. He competed well on the ground and stood tall in defence.
11: Aphiwe Dyantyi Rating: 6/10
He didn’t see as much of the ball as Nkosi, his fellow debutant on the right wing, but he was duly rewarded for his efforts with his first try at Test level. He also produced a great inside pass for Nkosi’s second five-pointer.
15: Willie le Roux Rating: 7/10
Scoring a try and setting up wing S’bu Nkosi’s second five-pointer, Le Roux was the calming voice in the inexperienced back three and he kept the emotions under check when the Boks’ defence was badly exposed in the first quarter.