By Mark Orlovac BBC Sport at Twickenham

Josh Lewsey - 8:
Some wayward kicking but man-of-the-match for his try-saving tackle on Jean de Villiers and several other timely interventions.

Mark Cueto - 6:
Did not have many clear sights of the try-line but despite a nervy opening half, showed good awareness to score his try when Goode fumbled.

Mathew Tait - 5:
Not the dazzling display we have come to expect from the Newcastle youngster. Struggled to find space in a congested midfield.

Jamie Noon - 5:
Does not normally play 12 and it showed. Struggled to get the backline going forward, and Springboks made some headway down his channel.

Ben Cohen - 5:
His poor punt to nowhere led directly to South Africa's opening try, and struggled to find any space down the flanks.

Charlie Hodgson - 4:
Again failed to dominate and his passing and kicking from hand betrayed a lack of confidence. Carried off injured before the interval.

Peter Richards - 6:
Sniping presence around the scrum but not always in command and conceded a silly penalty for aggressive use of the boot in the second half.

Andrew Sheridan - 6:
Lots of grunt and effort before he was carried off but replacement Phil Vickery showed what the Sale prop did not offer in the loose.

George Chuter - 6:
Steady presence with ball in hand and at the line-out. Made two wayward throws in the second half before being substituted on 62 minutes.

Julian White - 6:
Not at his very best but was more than a match for the South African scrum. When called upon, he also showed his skill with ball in hand.

Tom Palmer - 7:
Seemed to show no nerves despite making his first start and was the pick of the England forwards. He was the go-to guy in the line-out.

Ben Kay - 5:
A quiet day for the Leicester lock who made his presence felt without ever really dominating. Replaced midway through the second half.

Joe Worsley - 6:
Never shied away from work and was England's top tackler. Did not see as much of the ball as he would have liked. Early carry was as good as it got.

Pat Sanderson - 6:
Struggled to contain the Boks around the fringes but far more effective than at number eight, and superb pass off the floor led to Cueto's try.

Martin Corry - 7:
Responded well to pressure on him. Set the tone with a great claim from the kick-off. Late tackle on James the only black mark.

REPLACEMENTS:

Andy Goode - 7:
Steadied a rocking ship after replacing Hodgson before interval. Nothing fancy but kicked accurately and three crucial kicks at goal.

Phil Vickery - 7:
An energizing presence after replacing Sheridan. His match-winning try in his first England appearance since last year was the feel-good story of the day.

Lewis Moody - 6:
Another impressive impact substitution. His first piece of action, which saw him chase down a re-start, summed up his display.

Chris Jones - 7:
Lively display after coming on for Ben Kay and deserves a start. It was his break down the middle that led to Vickery's try.

Lee Mears - 6:
Came on for George Chuter in the second half and did nothing wrong. His first line-out throw was a little hesitant but he grew stronger.

Shaun Perry had too little time to make an impression.