Brilliant goal-kicking by Owen Farrell and a superbly created Jonny May try gave England a 25-10 dead-rubber Test victory over South Africa on Saturday, which snapped a six-match losing run.
Here, we take a look at three of the stand-out players from the series.
FAF DE KLERK
Minutes played: 223 (73, 74, 76)
The Sale man was one of the stand-out performers for the Boks, with his clever box kicking, razor-like passing, decision-making and ability to marshal his pack effectively around ruck time all key to helping the home side tick.
He made superb tackles on Henry Slade and Chris Robshaw and scored a try in a man-of-the-match performance in the first Test, but wasn’t afforded the same time and space to orchestrate proceedings in the win at Bloemfontein.
His powerful tackle on Nathan Hughes in Newlands – who is nearly a foot taller and 45kg heavier than him – brought the home crowd to their feet, but he struggled to get on the fronfoot against an in-form England attack.
A key conductor to Rassie Erasmus side and a monster of a man for just 5′ 6″.
DUANE VERMEULEN
Minutes played: 240 (80, 80, 80)
The former World Player of the Year nominee was in sctintillating form over the three matches, playing key roles in the wins at Ellis Park and Bloemfontein.
His experience and calmness helped the confidence of younger players in the first Test, forcing two penalties at ruck time, to put the Boks in firm control.
At Bloemfontein, he was imply immense, showing brute power and vision to spot the gap for try and he also completed nine tackles and was a general menace at the breakdown.
Even in the third Test defeat, his carrying was emphatic and he secured one brilliant turnover off Joe Launchbury. A true warrior of this improving Springboks pack.
TOM CURRY
Minutes played: 225 (65, 80, 80)
England’s stand out player of the series. Even in the two defeats, the Sale man stood up while all other Red Rose players wilted.
Barely 20-years-old, Curry showed signs of his supreme talents, getting over the ball and really growing into that number seven role – an area that has been a huge problem since England’s Six Nations demise.
He was a menace at the breakdown on Sunday, sealing a penalty that led to three points for Owen Farrell, as well as getting one clear-out on Vermeulen and providing the pass for Danny Cipriani’s chip through for Johnny May’s try.
Although England received little frontfoot ball in the defeats at Ellis Park and Bloemfontein, Curry still showcased his strong offloading, solid carrying and smoking footwork to try and force a way back for a gallant away side.
If Eddie Jones can leave South Africa with some positives then it is Curry’s emergence as he looks towards the autumn.
