Boks were their own worst enemies

Two vital overthrows by Malcolm Marx, pictured, at a crucial stage of the game, and on England’s five metre line, cost the Boks the match. These two lineouts could have led to tries that would have sealed the match. Marx was not at his best. How Akker van der Merwe can be left out of the team beggars belief. He would have rattled a very mediocre England side with his bustling, no-nonsense approach.

The star of the match was S’bu Nkosi, streets ahead of Aphiwe Dyantyi, who did not make much of an impression, and whose defence needs working on.

Damian de Allende surprised with a fairly credible display. Jesse Kriel hardly showed up.

Ivan van Zyl is no Faf de Klerk, but stood his ground.

Duane Vermeulen is not a flank and should rotate with Warren Whiteley, who was here, there, and everywhere, at No 8. Pieter-Steph du Toit, an outstanding player, is not a flank. We desperately need a bustling, robust flank in the mould of Kwagga Smith or even Marnus Schoeman to harass the opposition.

Willie le Roux has to be included next week at fullback.

Lood de Jager tried, but does not compare with Franco Mostert. The blatant shoulder charge on Andre Esterhuizen by Owen Farrell should have led to a yellow card at least, and a penalty. A shocking decision.

Let’s hope next week’s game sees a few changes and a far better effort from the Boks, who were their own worst enemies. John