By Chris Chaplin
November 25 2002

The end of the Autumn Internationals against the South Africans, the last team to arrive at Twickenham this time to collect their Christmas shopping money and how I saw the performance of the England players in securing their win over the thugs from the "Rainbow Country". Jason Leonard
99 not out and on the evidence of his solid display on Saturday, together with his schoolmasterly attention to his young opposite number, who knew he'd been up against a consummate pro., there looks to be a bit more to come yet from big Jase 7/10

Steve Thompson
Another good showing from the big Saints' Hooker. I thought he remained far more involved this week and caught my eye throughout the match. Outplayed the brutish Dalton in every department. The RWC hooker has been found. 8/10

Phil Vickery
Superb performance from the Cornish Bull who looked like he was staking a claim for a berth at 12 with some good breaks. Back to his fearsome best in the tight. 9/10

Martin Johnson
Those who say Johnno is not the best captain in world rugby and cannot control his temper should have seen him on Saturday. Not only did he resist overwhelming temptation to seek retribution in the face of quite appalling thuggery by the South Africans he also keep his team under control. Another simply masterly piece of Captaincy. On a personal front he had a much better game in the set pieces and made his presence felt in loose far more than in the last two matches. 9/10

Ben Kay
Still not yet back to his best but getting there. Probably saving himself for his return to Tigers. Safe and sound in the line out, less than dominant in the loose though. 6/10

Richard Hill
Another excellent performance from Hilly. Ferocious tackling, great work in the loose and even popped up on the wing to score a try. 9/10

Lewis Moody
Saw far too little of MadEye before he went off. But did well enough while he was there. 6/10

Neil Back
I was derided last week for saying Backy was peaking nicely. I hope those concerned watched him on Saturday. Great play in the loose as he also stakes him claim for a move into the centre, terrific linking, handling and of course his customary control of the driving mauls. 8/10

Matt Dawson
Continues to remind us of his return to near his best form. Some great work around the fringes and sensibly timed and exciting breaks, one of which led to Cohen's try. 8/10

Jonny Wilkinson
I still didn't think Wilko was at his best in getting the backs away, his kicking was of it's usual high standard but he's somehow muted when in playmaking mode. 7/10

Ben Cohen
A quieter game from Mr Cohen, scored a good try and nearly had a second but did not seem as dynamic as in the previous two games. 7/10

Mike Tindall
As usual really. Strong in defence some flashes in attack but stolid rather than inspiring. 6/10

Will Greenwood
Nice to see Will go up a gear. Certainly much better than in the two previous matches and his second try in particular was beautifully taken. Generally our midfield looked stodgy though. 7/10

Phil Christophers
Showed how dangerous he can be on the break. Some nice flashes from the young Bristolian but his ball retention left much to be desired. 6/10

Jason Robinson
He is so brave under those high balls I flinch when I see his diminutive figure being swallowed by hulking centres or backrows. Along with Wilko another target for the thugs who dishonoured the Springbok jersey. That aside he really is wasted at Full back even though he acquits himself well, I don't understand why we blunt one of our most potent strike weapons by keeping him out of the real attacking action. 7/10

Replacements
Lawrence Dallagio
Made the most of his chance when replacing Moody. Much more his old self in the loose displaying some good handling skills in the build up to Cohen's try as well tackling anything in a green jersey. Also did well in controlling the ball at the back of a scrum going forward at a rate of knots when scoring his try. 8/10

Austin Healey
Secured his 50th cap by securing a substantive period of play when he replaced the battered Jonny Wilkinson. I actually thought that he got the backs going better than had Wilko and his kicking, once he’d settled in, was good and led to Hill's try. Just shows what he can do when he's a mind to. 8/10

Gomersall and Stimpson
Both came on for late cameo appearances and did OK.

Overall
Another World Class performance by the pack, even allowing for the uneven contest brought about by the perfectly correct Red Card (I'm surprised that there were not more).

Midfield was it's usual largely uninspired self, plenty of bravery but not much guile and the back three didn't get nearly enough quality ball from all the possession that we enjoyed. They missed Simpson-Daniel and his running lines from midfield positions.

Showed good discipline throughout ably supported by Paddy O'Brien who had a good game but I suspect refrained from more Yellow and Red cards for fear of turning the game into a farce.

They'll need to be better than this when they meet les Bleus in February though. 7/10