Who were England’s best and worst players against the Springboks in the final round of the of the Autumn Nations Series.
RUCK ranks the performances of the best performers and most underwhelming players.
BEST PLAYERS:
#3. Marcus Smith
Telegraph 8/10: “Fear? What’s fear? Played his hand perfectly against the world champions before delivering the match-winning penalty.”
Evening Standard 7/10: “Guided England around well but his drop goal attempt in the dying first-half embers was bad, and the home side struggled to arrest momentum in the second half.”
JOE 8/10: “Put the ball to air plenty of times at the start, but it paid off. Showed bravery in defence to slide in and get to a grubber kick ahead of Jesse Kriel. Siya Kolisi ran through him like a turnstile as the tide started turning, in the second half. Brave chip won his side a penalty, near the end.”
#2. Henry Slade
Telegraph 9/10: “Out of this world. Sensationally set up all three tries. The pass for the second should be hung in the National Gallery.”
Evening Standard 9/10: “Simply delectable pass to put Steward into space in the build-up to the full-back’s score, and his wide ball to Tuilagi was efficiently executed under pressure, too.”
