Jack van Poortvliet
A surprise starter ahead of Alex Mitchell, Van Poortvliet endured a frustrating afternoon.
His best moment came with a sharp snipe and superb offload to Finn Smith, helping England finally unlock the South African defence after falling 17-0 behind.
Unfortunately, that precision proved to be a one-off.
Too many early box kicks lacked effective chasers, while his service from the breakdown often lacked urgency as South Africa applied pressure.
He was also unfortunate to get a touch on the ball before Jamie George crossed, leaving the hooker offside and seeing the try ruled out.
An ambitious pass was then almost intercepted by Grant Williams shortly before half-time, before a soft knock-on preceded his departure after 54 minutes.
Replacement: Alex Mitchell
Mitchell should return to the starting XV against Fiji. His speed of service and ability to increase the tempo remain crucial to England’s attack.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!