England’s defeat dissected: Brutal Mail Online ratings slam Ellis Genge and Jack van Poortvliet, both scoring a woeful 3/10
The Mail Online delivered scathing assessments of several England players after their 29-20 loss to South Africa, with Ellis Genge and Jack van Poortvliet receiving especially harsh scores.
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Freddie Steward – 5
Steward returned to counter South Africa’s high-ball game and handled those duties well. However, Mail Online noted that “he was made to look a fool for South Africa’s tries from Grant Williams and Cheslin Kolbe.” Despite the errors, he remained relentless in his efforts.
Tommy Freeman – 6
Freeman showed some early promise with a strong carry from a scrum, hinting at a more involved performance after a couple of quiet matches. He later had to adapt and move to centre in the second half.
Ollie Lawrence – 5
A frustrating evening for Lawrence, who, according to Mail Online, produced a “poor kick option as well as execution when England attack was on the front foot.” Once again, he left fans wanting more impact on the game.
Henry Slade – 5.5
Slade did the basics well and was involved in England’s opening try. However, his night took a turn for the worse when he thought he’d scored, only for the play to be called back, followed by him exiting with a head injury. Mail Online described his misfortune: “Thought he’d scored after easy finish, but play was brought back and to make matters worse he was also forced off for head injury.”
“Freddie Steward gave his all but was unable to deal with the Springboks going forward” (Mail Online)
“Henry Slade looked to have slid over but his try was ruled out before he was forced off injured” (Mail Online)
Ollie Sleightholme – 7.5
After a standout performance with two tries the previous week, Sleightholme continued his scoring form, grabbing another on his first Test start. As Mail Online put it, “He certainly knows where the line is.”
Marcus Smith – 8
Smith was one of the few bright sparks, cleverly faking a drop goal before creating Sleightholme’s try. Mail Online praised his ingenuity, noting that “he was given the whole game at No 10 but couldn’t quite drive his team over the line.”
Jack van Poortvliet – 3
A nightmare return for van Poortvliet. He spilled the ball at the first breakdown, and Mail Online criticized his performance: “He was regularly charged down by South Africa’s giant forwards as he struggled with impact of new law trials on banning blockers.”
“Jack van Poortvliet struggled to make an impact in a disappointing showing for the scrum-half” (Mail Online)
Ellis Genge – 3
Genge had a rough evening, missing a crucial tackle that led to South Africa’s opening try. Mail Online was scathing: “England can’t concede soft tries like that and hope to be successful. Gave away too many penalties.”
“Ellis Genge gave away too many penalties and should have done better for South Africa’s first” (Mail Online)
Jamie George (captain) – 6
George exuded quiet confidence before the match, as Mail Online noted: “Looked quietly menacing in the tunnel.” He was tireless in defense but fell victim to Cheslin Kolbe’s footwork in the second half.
Will Stuart – 6.5
Stuart did well in the scrum but was harshly penalized for a high tackle. According to Mail Online, “it gave South Africa the field position from which they scored their third try.”
Maro Itoje – 6.5
Usually a physical force, Itoje was outmuscled by Kolisi and Wiese. Mail Online highlighted a key moment: “Penalised for a neck roll which meant Slade try was chalked off.”
George Martin – 7
Martin worked tirelessly and was instrumental in setting up Sam Underhill’s try. Mail Online applauded his effort: “Emptied the tank.”
“George Martin gave everything he had and was instrumental in creating Sam Underhill’s try” (Mail Online)
Chandler Cunningham-South – 5.5
Though undeniably talented, Cunningham-South struggled against South Africa’s dominant back-row, as Mail Online noted.
Sam Underhill – 7
Underhill’s return to the team paid dividends. He scored a well-taken try and, as Mail Online mentioned, “whenever he is in the team, he delivers a big performance.”
Ben Earl – 6.5
Earl provided crucial relief at the breakdown and displayed dynamic footwork, but Mail Online pointed out a key mistake: “Missed crucial tackle on Damian de Allende.”
Replacements
Luke Cowan-Dickie (5.5), Tom Roebuck (6.5), Dan Cole (5.5), Harry Randall (5), Fin Baxter (5), Alex Dombrandt (5), Nick Isiekwe (5.5).
The Twickenham crowd of 81,910 saw Cheslin Kolbe earn Player of the Match honours in a dominant South Africa victory.
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RUCK’s Autumn Nations Series coverage is proudly powered by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, dedicated to creating a world free of MND. Join the the fight against MND here.
Here’s how each player fared, with ratings from multiple outlets:
#1. Freddie Steward – High Ball Hero, Defensive Zero?
Average Rating: 4.75/10
- Evening Standard (5/10):
“Handed a first start this autumn due to his ability under the high ball, but struggled. Williams and Kolbe skinned him for their tries.” - Telegraph (5/10):
“Definition of sublime and ridiculous. Left clutching thin air for both Grant Williams’ and Cheslin Kolbe’s tries and at one stage did a face plant. Also some brilliant high-ball takes.” - Express (4/10):
“At fault for tries by Kolbe and Williams as he endured a difficult return to starting line-up.” - Rugby Pass (5/10):
“Exposed defensively for two tries, despite strong aerial work.”
Replacement: George Furbank – He shouldn’t have been dropped in the first place.
#2. Ellis Genge – The Genge Rollercoaster
Average Rating: 4.5/10
- Evening Standard (5/10):
“Let Williams slip past him as the scrum-half went over for South Africa’s opening try. Improved after that, though, and was bright in the loose – but not at his best.” - Express (4/10):
“Scrum problems in first half, usual full-blooded commitment for an hour.”
Replacement: Fin Baxter – Genge’s leadership was strong, but a change may be needed in the tighthead role.
#3. Ollie Lawrence – Hits, Misses, and a Bit More of the Same
Average Rating: 5/10
- Telegraph (5/10):
“Barely used as a ball-carrier again. Put one huge hit on Manie Libbok but also wasted a good attacking opportunity with a needless kick. Disappointing.” - Planet Rugby (5/10):
“Solid in attack but caught out in defense, continuing the trend of inconsistency.” - Express (5/10):
“Hit hard and carried hard, but in this fixture that is a minimum requirement.”
Replacement: Alex Lozowski – Needs to step in to provide more stability and spark in attack.
#4. Will Stuart – Scrum Woes and Penalty Troubles
Average Rating: 4.5/10
- Telegraph (4/10):
“Difficult to overlook the succession of three penalties, even if the third seemed harsh. Did get one back at the scrum in the second half.” - Express (5/10):
“England again unable to build any sort of attacking platform from their scrum against the mighty Boks.”
Replacement: Dan Cole – Still England’s best tighthead.
#5. Jack van Poortvliet – Struggling to Find His Rhythm
Average Rating: 4.5/10
- Evening Standard (5/10):
“Shaky at times and repeatedly had his box-kicks charged down.” - Planet Rugby (5/10):
“Never fully recovered from a shaky start, with multiple box kicks charged down by du Toit and Etzebeth.” - Express (3/10):
“First start in a long while and it showed. Repeatedly charged down at the base.” - Telegraph (5/10):
“Etzebeth made him his bunny, charging him down twice in a hesitant early performance.”
Replacement: Ben Spencer – Should’ve been given more game time from the start.
