Following South Africa’s 20-29 win over England at Twickenham, here are our winners and losers from London. Winners

Marcus Smith

The center is finally becoming that test player Eddie Jones said he would be. Throughout it all he has been a shining light for England as he linked the offense very well at times, threw off the tee so well, and controlled the spot where the Red Rose played most of the time. There is absolutely no doubt that Smith is the England starter, whether or not Steve Borthwick will be around for long to continue to select him is another story, but regardless, he has become a player of first order.

Sam Underhill

We just don’t understand why he was eliminated… Underhill is one of the few players in the world who is perfect to face the Books; he runs hard, tackles even harder and has a massive motor. The flank was exceptional and deserved a try. Questions need to be answered about its replacement.

Will Stuart

On a normal day, Ox Nche turns into a bulldozer and flattens everything in his wake, but that was not the case today as the stiff grounded England brilliantly today. He mixed incredibly well all things considered. This is not the first match this fall where he has done so much credit for his class.

Wilco Louw

The huge prop certainly didn’t look at all like he hadn’t played Test rugby for three years in what was a solid outing with an excellent scrum performance against Ellis Genge. If we’re honest, Louw is unlucky not to have been rewarded more for his efforts at the set piece.

Springboks show championship qualities as Cheslin Kolbe scores twice to beat England and put more pressure on Steve Borthwick

Grant Williams

QUICK QUICK QUICK! Williams is a nightmare to defend on the fringes of the scrum and Genge found that out as the scrum-half burst through a gap to gallop and score after leaving Freddie Steward to the stores with a fine sidestep. It wasn’t quite perfect as he made a few unforced errors, however, his impact on the game negates those on this occasion.

Cheslin Kolbe

Without doubt the best in the world. Kolbe is sensational, the way he moved Steward forward on his first try while catching the ball was dirty. He also had a nice walk on his second try, which was just the tip of the iceberg of all the good Kolbe did that day. As his coach described him, Kolbe is a “unique” player and it showed again. Simply charming.

Springboks player ratings: ‘World-class’ Cheslin Kolbe ‘rips’ England to shreds as bench ‘proves’ to be the difference again

Rassie Erasmus

He always finds a way, doesn’t he? No matter how many attackers are on his bench, seven, six or even five, Erasmus is always astute and masterful in how and when he deploys his bench, which once again proved decisive. How can he not be considered the greatest coach football has ever known? Losers

Steve Borthwick

Surely it’s time to have a head coaching conversation. Yes, he has improved England in many ways, but is it enough? The Red Rose have now lost five on the bounce and many of them are tactical errors from Borthwick. This week it wasn’t Smith who was taken off, it was Underhill, the centers don’t know if they are 12 or 13 and England became the most masculine player in World Rugby. When will Borthwick and his flock of vice-captains be held accountable?

Ellis Genge

This isn’t the first time in recent memory that Genge hasn’t looked like himself. Whether it was struggling in scrums, being skinned alive by Williams or the very rare runs he had become famous for, Genge was missing. It’s not about quality, let’s be clear, Genge is a superstar but he’s in turmoil at the moment.

Jack van Poortvliet

Brought in to kick well and quite simply, he didn’t do it. The scrum-half was rocked early on by the lanky arms of Eben Etzebeth charging two of his kicks, one of which resulted in a try and he never recovered.

Henry Slade

Keeps getting picked off and keeps missing the target. The main advantage Borthwick sees in him is not translating into the Test arena. Sure, he had some decent touches, but answers are needed for his selection.

Ollie Laurent

The center has struggled to replicate his club form on the Test scene in recent times and he was scratched several times by the Springboks’ pace in this one. To be honest, it’s not entirely his fault after changing his central position every week.

Gerhard Steenekamp

He has a few good touches but more bad than good in this one thanks to Stuart’s solid scrum effort. The yellow card didn’t help his cause either. It’s something he needs to forget, but it’s not really the thing that threw him out.

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