England player ratings vs South Africa - Star rated 3/10 as hosts lose fifth straight game

South Africa have ramped up the pressure on England and Steve Borthwick even further after their 29-20 victory at Twickenham on Saturday evening, in what was a gripping contest throughout.

After a fast start from England, it was South Africa who stamped their authority on the Autumn International, after running in three tries. The reigning World Cup champions consigned England to a fifth consecutive defeat with Borthwick under immense pressure now to turn things around.

Next up for England is Japan, as they desperately aim to end their Autumn campaign on a positive note. In the meantime, Express Sport has run the rule over the players in action at Twickenham...

England player ratings

Freddie Steward - At fault for tries by Kolbe and Williams as he endured a difficult return to starting line-up. 4

Tommy Freeman - His best work, an aerial catch to set up Slade's try, was chalked off by an Itoje infringement. 5

Ollie Lawrence - Hit hard and carried hard, but in this fixture that is a minimum requirement. 5

Henry Slade - A try assist and unlucky to have one of his own chalked off. Best start of the autumn. 7

Ollie Sleightholme - Backed up two-try cameo against Australia with score which gave England early hope. At fault for Kolbe's second. 6

Marcus Smith - Again England's star man, a perennial threat. Deserves so much more than yet another defeat. 8

Jack van Poortvliet - First start in a long while and it showed. Repeatedly charged down at the base. 3

Ellis Genge - Scrum problems in first half, usual full-blooded commitment for an hour. 5

Jamie George - Cut a frustrated figure for 50 minutes. Replacement Cowan-Dickie made mess of key line out when England threatened comeback. 5

Will Stuart - England again unable to build any sort of attacking platform from their scrum against the mighty Boks. 5

Maro Itoje - Disappointing restarts and pinged for neck roll which cost Slade a second-half try. 5

George Martin - Borthwick demanded a power-packed display from the big man and he delivered against biggest of them all. 6

Chandler Cunningham-South - After terrorising opponents in tackle in previous weeks he rather met his match in this fixture. 6

Sam Underhill - Cut a superb line for try which kept England in the game at half-time. Outstanding return. 7

Ben Earl - No shortage of energy but unable to make serious inroads into the Springboks' defence. 6

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie 5 (George 49), Fin Baxter 5 (Genge 66), Dan Cole 5 (Stuart 59), Nick Isiekwe 5 (Martin 76), Alex Dombrandt 5 (Underhill 67), Harry Randall 6 (Van Poortvliet 61), George Ford (unused), Tom Roebuck 5 (Slade 49-58).

South Africa: Aphelele Fassi 7; Cheslin Kolbe 9, Jesse Kriel 7, Damien de Allende 7, Kurt-Lee Arendse 8; Manie Libbok 6, Grant Williams 8; Ox Nche 7, Bongi Mbonambi 7, Wilco Louw 6, Eben Etzebeth 7, RG Snyman 7, Siya Kolisi (capt) 7, Pieter-Steph du Toit 8, Jasper Wiese 7.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx 7 (Mbonambi 46), Gerhard Steenekamp 5 (Nche 50), Vincent Koch 6 (Louw 42), Elrigh Louw 6 (Du Toit 62), Kwagga Smith 6 (Wiese 61), Cobus Reinach 6 (Williams 61), Handre Pollard 6 (Libbok 46), Lukhanyo Am 6 (De Allende 69).

Man of the match: Cheslin Kolbe - two tries and the full package of pace, footwork and finishing.