South Africa vs England: Joe Launchbury fit to return in hope of taking three-Test series to a decider

The Wasps captain missed the 42-39 first Test defeat after picking up a calf injury, and looks set to be thrown straight back into the starting line-up

Durban

Wednesday 13 June 2018 18:06 BST

Joe Launchbury is in contention to start England's second Test against South Africa (Getty)

England have been given a lift ahead of their second Test against South Africa with the news that Joe Launchbury has been declared fit.

Launchbury was ruled out of the series opener at Ellis Park with a calf injury sustained in training before Eddie Jones’ squad departed and faced a race against time to be ready for Saturday’s Bloemfontein showdown.

But on Wednesday morning the Wasps captain was able to train with the squad for the first time since arriving in South Africa – and he is set to be drafted straight into the starting line-up.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

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1/30South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

<b>South Africa:</b> Willie Le Roux – 8 out of 10

Was visibly frustrated with their early struggles, but took his try with a beautiful run that Wasps fans will have found very familiar. Nice pass to release Nkosi for his second, and started to take control the game as the Springboks pulled away from England.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

S’busiso Nkosi – 8 out of 10

Look very much a Test-level wing with two clinical finishes – albeit one that came with a generous slice of luck. His first came with a chip and chase that Daly should have fielded, and his second saw him loop round to the opposite wing and collect a good offload from Dyantyi to go over unopposed. It was also his barrelling run over Ford that led to the first try. Could have had a hat-trick.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Lukhanyo Am – 6 out of 10

His early defensive issues were alleviated when the Springboks started to dominate the ball, as often he proved the miss-out man in attack.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Damian De Allende – 6 out of 10

Very poor tackle from such a big centre allowed Brown to score, but it was his decision to attack the blindside that led to Nkosi’s first try.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Aphiwe Dyantyi – 7 out of 10

Good offload to Nkosi for his second try before bagging one of his own, even if he had to juggle the ball over the line.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Handre Pollard – 7 out of 10

Stepped far too easily by Brown for the opening try four minutes in, but recovered his composure well to start firing his back line on all cylinders and added some very impressive conversions. Despite all the tries, it proved his late penalty that secured the victory.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Faf De Klerk – 9 out of 10

A brilliant return to test rugby as he got the Springboks up and running with their first try. Quickened the pace with tap penalties that caught England on the back foot. Proved his worth to South African rugby and my how they’ve missed him.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Tendai Mtawarira – 6 out of 10

Not able to dominate the scrum and kept fairly quiet in the loose as his teammates stole the headlines. Replaced by Steven Kischoff soon after the break.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Bongi Mbonambi – 7 out of 10

Bit in when defending that isolated Nkosi for Brown’s opening try, but solid in the lineout as he mixed up his target area to keep England guessing. Roared in triumph when the front-row smashed through the English pack.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Trevor Nyakane – 6 out of 10

Unable to get the better of Mako Vunipola in the front-row battle and fairly ineffective with the ball. Replaced by Wilco Louw seven minutes into the second half, who made an immediate impact.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

RG Snyman – 7 out of 10

Beautiful 50m run saw the lock gallop upfield at the start of the second half and he proved a real thorn in the side of the English defence.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Franco Mostert – 6 out of 10

South Africa’s go-to man in the lineout as he jumped well to keep the ball out of Itoje’s mits.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Siya Kolisi – 7 out of 10

Ferocious in defence as he hit opposite number Robshaw on more than one occasion. Also left his mark on his fellow captain Farrell. A good defensive showing.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Jean-Luc Du Preez – 6 out of 10

Unable to cover back in time to stop Brown and gave away a needless penalty for diving off his feet at the start of the game. Replaced by Pieter-Steph du Toit early in the second half and could find his place at risk.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Duane Vermeulen – 8 out of 10

Grew into the game as South Africa started to secure front-foot ball. Enjoyed a strong run out wide early in the second half and proved a real turnover merchant as he disrupted English ball time and time again.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

<b>England:</b> Elliot Daly – 7 out of 10

Got the first points of the game as he took full advantage of the altitude with a 61m penalty, but committed an absolute howler when he missed the ball and allowed Nkosi to score. Scored a try of his own with a neat finish and defensively he put in a huge tackle on Wasps teammate Le Roux that stopped an attack in its tracks, but two sloppy kicks from hand cost England precious ground.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Jonny May – 7 out of 10

Enjoyed a strong start as his early break set-up Brown’s opening score before delivering the final pass to Daly, but spent a lot of the game running backwards and De Klerk and Pollard looked to pin him back.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Henry Slade – 6 out of 10

Very good opening 20 minutes as his footwork dazzled the Springboks’ defensive line, with one sidestep committing two defenders before he produced a love offload from the deck to Brown. Faded as the game went on though as South Africa starved him of ball.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Owen Farrell – 7 out of 10

Linked up well with Ford and was at his consistent best from the tee. Lovely pass to Daly that set-up May’s late try.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Mike Brown – 7 out of 10

Appeared to silence his critics somewhat with a powerful finish as he beat two men to score inside four minutes. Made a second break after Slade’s offload, but kept out of the game by a resurgent Springboks side. Made a good one-handed tackle on Nkosi when he went close and had a late burst as time ticked down.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

George Ford – 6 out of 10

On the end of a rampaging run from Nkosi and defensively he struggled slightly and his kicking from hand was poor. But his attack play was much better than it has been of late.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10

Fairly average on his Test return after injury, and while he didn’t do a lot wrong, there were no runs or breaks on his part.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Mako Vunipola – 6 out of 10

Solid in the scrum and was able to show his best with ball in hand, but shown a harsh yellow card for a late tackle on De Klerk.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Jamie George – 6 out of 10

Thrown into the starting line-up with Dylan Hartley absent and he was reliable in the lineout but slightly disappointing in the loose. Will have not liked being shoved back by the South African scrum.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Kyle Sinckler – 6 out of 10

In place as the first-choice tighthead in Dan Cole’s absence. Not used as much as he would have liked in the loose but did a solid job in the scrum until England were shoved backwards, which triggered his replacement by Harry Williams.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Maro Itoje – 6 out of 10

The good and the bad of Maro Itoje was on display. He was the main culprit in conceding penalties as he twice hit De Klerk high and was trapped not rolling away, but wise to spot a chance to score by reaching over the ruck.

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South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Nick Isiekwe – 4 out of 10

The sacrificial lamb as Eddie Jones made the decision to replace him with Brad Shields 31 minutes in. Looked distraught as he came off, and consoled by his teammates.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Chris Robshaw – 6 out of 10

Doesn’t carry an impact when running with the ball that allowed the Springboks defenders to knock him backwards. His support play was good, but left isolated when Steven Kitshoff was able to win a penalty for holding on.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Tom Curry – 6 out of 10

Tried to impose at the breakdown but was fighting a one-man battle. Made one eye-catching break in the second half that made all of 35 metres, but departed soon after with a calf injury.

South Africa vs England first Test player ratings

Billy Vunipola – 6 out of 10

One uncharacteristic error as he dropped an early restart, and South Africa looked to double up on him that early on freed up space for his teammates. Otherwise kept fairly quiet, which takes some doing.

“Joe Launchbury trained today (Wednesday) and trained well. He’s done a great job with his rehabilitation and is available for selection,” forwards coach Steve Borthwick said.

Launchbury will partner Maro Itoje in the second row for the Free State Stadium showdown as England stage their attempt to take the series to a decider in Cape Town, having been defeated 42-39 in the first Test.

The Wasps captain’s physical presence was missed at Ellis Park and in his absence 20-year-old Nick Isiekwe deputised, only to be substituted three minutes before half-time.

“Having a player of Joe’s quality available is great. Even though he hasn’t been playing he’s been absolutely brilliant around the squad,” Borthwick said.

Launchbury has returned to training with England (Getty)

“He’s a big lock but is also very talented. You can see his ability to run in the loose but also his ability in the tight.

“He’s very good around the maul, both in attack and defence. He’s a very good scrummager.”

Borthwick, who also revealed that third choice loosehead prop Ellis Genge has undergone a scan on a thigh issue, insists England remain buoyant despite seeing the first Test slip from their grasp having established a 21-point lead.

Genge is a new injury concern for England (Getty)

“We’re clearly disappointed by the defeat but there’s also a positivity about certain aspects of the game, such as that first 20 minutes,” he said.

“It was also positive that we got ourselves back into the game and took it close in the end. We have great resolve and determination to get the result we want this weekend.”

PA

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