England
Mike Brown, full-back, 6/10 Usual solidity at the back, first defender beaten on the counter and assists for tries. His assist for the game-breaking second won’t feature on a highlights reel, but they all count.
Marland Yarde, wing 4/10 Looked great coming into the line for England’s first try, but lacked composure, which may or may not be something he can work on. Not sure he’s even as quick as he once was.
Elliot Daly, centre 7/10 They say he’s a bit small, but no one’s told him that. Lots of carrying into the heart of the South Africa midfield. Wicked chip for second try and a 50m penalty.
Owen Farrell, centre 7/10 Another to prove handy at the unfamiliar skill of the hit-up. A haul of 19 points on the field has got to be worth a point here, including a nicely taken try.
Jonny May, wing 6/10 Great finish, showcasing that pace we hoped against hope he hadn’t lost since his injury. Tick. Also among the thundering herd who forced that second try. Next, to get more involved.
George Ford, fly-half 7/10 He’s in one of his confident phases, which means plenty of impish play-making and cute dinks into space. Head always up, ball in two hands, he’s a joy to watch.
Ben Youngs, scrum-half 8/10 Quietly working his way into form at Leicester and burst into bloom at Twickenham. Kicking spot on, and two extravagant breaks for tries three and four. Huge gaps, but they need taking.
Mako Vunipola, prop 6/10 Showcased his acquired skills as a ball-playing pivot in the build-up to England’s first try. Lots of carries, no penalties, but England’s scrum not infallible. Spilled one pass in second half.
Dylan Hartley, hooker, captain 4/10 Gains a point for another immaculate day at the lineout, loses one for wobbles at the scrum and then another for an unremarkable stint in the loose. George still looking the better hooker.
Dan Cole, prop 4/10 Poor fellow didn’t get his hands on the ball all day. Was also England’s top offender, albeit with only two penalties. But did put in a good stint in defence.
Joe Launchbury, lock 7/10 England’s main target at the lineout, and proved a safe go-to. Loads of those bent-at-the-waist charges into grasping hands. One early penalty, when England couldn’t stop conceding them, the only blemish.
Courtney Lawes, lock 6/10 Not a bad way to celebrate your 50th cap, particularly to score a rare try, even if it was not a beauty. England’s second top tackler. Couple of handling issues takes the gloss off.
Chris Robshaw, flanker 8/10 And here is England’s top tackler. Again. And one of their top carriers. Tidied up a lot of filth too. Slipped passes away. No6 or No7 – who cares? Just have him in the team.
Tom Wood, flanker 7/10 Eddie Jones must have seen something in his form for struggling Northampton, and he was right. Best game for a long time. Superb in defence and the odd gallop too.
Billy Vunipola, No8 7/10 Surely England’s best player in this mini-golden era. Ball comes to him as if he’s a magnet, defenders likewise. Top carrier of the day, both of ball and despairing opposition.
REPLACEMENTS Nathan Hughes 5 (for Wood 54) A couple of rumbles, latest of England’s growing arsenal of Islanders; Jamie George 6 (Hartley 56) Some noteworthy interventions, and England’s immaculate record at the lineout maintained; Joe Marler (M Vunipola 64); Jonathan Joseph (May 66); Danny Care (Youngs 66); Dave Atwood (Lawes 71); Ben Te’o (Ford 71); Kyle Sinckler (for Cole 72).
South Africa
Willie le Roux, full-back, 6/10 A couple of errors take the shine off his performance, which was an overdue return to form. Busy at the back – and sound. Finished the game off with a well-deserved try.
Ruan Combrinck, wing 5/10 He’s a fine player and looked pretty solid for most of the game, with a turn of pace. But a momentary loss of composure cost South Africa the game’s crucial try, England’s second.
Francois Venter, centre 4/10 Had an uncomfortable first half, loose with ball in hand, unsure in defence and penalised. But his off-load, forward though it looked, set up South Africa’s first try.
Damian de Allende, centre 5/10 Glimpses of a return to form in the shape of some robust carrying, but he’s still a way off the standard of last year. Not sure what he was waiting for when England scored their second.
JP Pietersen, wing 4/10 Basically a passenger, but the corollary of that is he didn’t make many errors. Did spill one up-and-under, though, so ends up the wrong side of the ledger.
Patrick Lambie, fly-half 6/10 Not a lot of rugby lately and not much for him here either. Mostly defensive detail, which he carried out well. Faultless from tee and a nice drop goal.
Rudy Paige, scrum-half 5/10 Quite good, really, in the first half. A few calming kicks from the base and couple of little half-breaks. But after the South African storm blew out on the half-hour, he drifted .
Tendai Mtawarira, prop 6/10 South Africa scrum was perfectly solid throughout and even had an edge when this guy sank his teeth into it. Had a little gallop in first half, as well.
Adriaan Strauss, hooker, captain 5/10 Sound in the tight – didn’t miss a lineout and popped his opposite number up for a penalty at one scrum. But South Africa are missing a few things, and an inspiring skipper is one.
Vincent Koch, prop 6/10 Good effort. One of South Africa’s top tacklers and didn’t let his set-piece work suffer, either, although was penalised at one scrum and spilled one pass as Springboks built.
Eben Etzebeth, lock 4/10 Never far from the thick of the seething mauls of South Africa’s opening half-hour. What a shame that was all he got. Bit too upright tackling Billy Vunipola. Never wise .
Lood de Jager, lock 5/10 Like his partner, full of muscular industry, but for that bit longer. For a man of 6ft 9in, though, you might expect more at the lineout. England unchallenged there.
Willem Alberts, flanker 7/10 Star of South Africa’s first half, when they had looked quite promising. A big heavy ball of stroppiness and belligerence. Then defensive duties. Ended up the game’s top tackler.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, flanker 5/10 Unfair, this. Had a really excellent game for the most part. But got absolutely stitched up twice by Youngs and two tries resulted. Got to lose two marks for that, haven’t you?
Warren Whiteley, No8 7/10 Another point of resistance. Lighter on his feet than the rest of the Springbok pack – and a few of the backs. Tackled relentlessly and class for South Africa’s first try.
REPLACEMENTS Franco Mostert 4 (for Etzebeth 31) Limited impact and why did South Africa give England such an easy ride at the lineout?; Johan Goosen 5 (Lambie 54) Mixed bag, great for his try but a couple of careless mistakes with the boot; Steven Kitshoff (Mtawarira 56); Lourens Adriaanse (Koch 56); Faf de Klerk (Paige 63); Nizaam Carr (De Jager 68); Bongi Mbonambi (Strauss 71); Lionel Mapoe (Pietersen 79).