Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
George Ford has admitted England “weren’t good enough” as they were defeated by South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
England lost 32-12 as late tries from wings Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe widened the margin of victory.
South Africa were comfortably the better side in Yokohama, and Ford lamented England’s first half errors.
“We weren’t good enough,” Ford admitted to BBC Radio Five Live .
“Congratulations to South Africa, I thought they executed their plan brilliantly.
Player ratings: World Cup finalShow all 33 1 /33Player ratings: World Cup final Player ratings: World Cup final Rugby World Cup final player ratings
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final England
World Rugby via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Elliot Daly - 6
AP
Player ratings: World Cup final Anthony Watson - 6
REUTERS
Player ratings: World Cup final Manu Tuilagi - 5
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Owen Farrell - 7
World Rugby via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Jonny May - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final George Ford - 6
REUTERS
Player ratings: World Cup final Ben Youngs - 6
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Billy Vunipola - 6
REUTERS
Player ratings: World Cup final Sam Underhill - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Tom Curry - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Courtney Lawes - 6
PA
Player ratings: World Cup final Maro Itoje - 7
REUTERS
Player ratings: World Cup final Kyle Sinckler - 5
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Jamie George - 6
PA
Player ratings: World Cup final Mako Vunipola - 6
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final South Africa
Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Willie Le Roux - 8
World Rugby via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Cheslin Kolbe - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Lukhanyo Am - 8
Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Damian de Allende - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Makazole Mapimpi - 9
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Handre Pollard - 8
World Rugby via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Faf de Klerk - 8
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Duane Vermeulen - 7
Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Pieter-Steph du Toit - 7
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Siya Kolisi - 8
World Rugby via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Lood De Jager - 5
PA
Player ratings: World Cup final Eben Etzebeth - 7
REUTERS
Player ratings: World Cup final Frans Malherbe - 7
Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Mbongeni Mbonambi - 5
AFP via Getty Images
Player ratings: World Cup final Tendai Mtawarira - 7
Getty Images
“We were far too inaccurate in the first half. We always knew they based their game on what they do up front.”
It is the second time that England have lost to South Africa in a Rugby World Cup final, following the defeat in Paris in 2007.
Having beaten defending champions New Zealand in the semi-final, England were favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, but fell short as South Africa’s forward might took them to victory.
Ford nonetheless praised the efforts of his teammates in defeat and throughout the tournament.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the lads, they’ve been brilliant all tournament up front, they just did a job on us today.
“They played really well you can’t take anything away from them. It’s obviously a huge disappointment for our side. We wanted to finish it off today but we were nowhere near good enough to do that.
“We’ve come a long way and it’s probably the most together squad I’ve ever been a part of. We’ll come back.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies