"Simple as that" - Sir Clive Woodward pinpoints where England went wrong against Springboks

South Africa edged England 16-15 in a gripping second semi-final at Stade de France.

The reigning champions were never in front until a long-range penalty from replacement Handre Pollard with just two minutes left on the clock.

Woodward wrote in his column: "This was a gut-wrenching defeat for England to run the world champions so close and lose it in the last two minutes to Handre Pollard’s penalty. But it is hard to be critical of the team because they did so well last night and they can hold their heads up high.

"Considering they were given no chance by most people you have got to give England a lot of credit and be proud of the team after they lost a really exciting game in Paris. Compared to New Zealand’s win over Argentina on Friday night at the same stadium, which was awful, this game blew the roof off.

"With the squad Steve Borthwick picked originally they did all they could to get near to the South Africans and ended up going down on a scrum call."

Woodward went onto pinpoint where England went wrong in the game.

"One other step they need to take is get out of the siege mentality that has been apparent. We all want England to win but at the end of the day, they lost the game and they didn’t score a try. That was the difference.

"From one to 15, if England want to win World Cups they need more pace - they are not as fast as France or New Zealand - and as well as having the power to scrummage against these teams, once you have matched them in the physical stakes. You have got to be quick as well and I don’t think England are at the moment. That is a huge difference.

"Now England have the bronze medal match against Argentina on Friday. It is not a must-win game so Borthwick can give guys who have not played much in the last few weeks in France. 

"The World Cup is about winning, it is not about third place play-offs."

As Steve Borthwick shifts his focus toward the future, it is anticipated that the head coach will implement several adjustments in preparation for the third-place play-off.

England's offensive struggles have been glaringly evident in virtually every match, except for the standout performance by the lightning-fast Arundell, who carved his name in the annals of history with a jaw-dropping five-try spectacle against Chile.

The ex-London Irish prodigy, despite his recent one-year commitment to Racing 92 due to the Exiles' unfortunate demise in May, is set to be granted a unique opportunity to extend his England tenure.

At the tender age of 20, it feels like eons have passed since he wowed the world with an electrifying end-to-end try against Toulon, a moment that instantly went viral and left even the hard-to-please Eddie Jones brimming with admiration. Arundell could very well be the ignition spark that England has been desperately yearning for.

As for May, he has been a remarkable servant to the England team. Nonetheless, this World Cup undoubtedly marks the conclusion of a spectacular international career, one where he will bid adieu as his nation's second-highest all-time try-scorer.

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Our eyes have been on Joe Marler and Ellis Genge for the past couple of years. With a year or two in the squad but limited game time, it's high time we take the plunge and see if Bevan Rodd can hold his own at the international level against the formidable Argentina pack.

This move promises to provide Head Coach Borthwick with valuable insights, far more than relying on his seasoned lieutenants.

Manu has had his fair share of regrettable moments throughout his England career, often seemingly escaping consequences thanks to his exceptional skills.

However, he's no longer the sole dominant force in the centre position. It's only fair to acknowledge that Ollie Lawrence, who has been remarkably underutilised in the Rugby World Cup, should have had more opportunities.

The Bath standout rightfully claimed the Premiership Player of the Year award for his stellar on-field performances. It's high time we witness that prowess more frequently when he dons the white England jersey.

Smith's meteoric ascent has positioned him as the prospective future England fly-half, demanding an opportunity to refine his decision-making and game management skills at the highest echelons of the sport.

Entrusting England's captain, Owen Farrell, or the seasoned George Ford with this task would yield minimal benefits, but for Smith, this could be a pivotal moment in his development as a player. It's time to bestow the keys to the kingdom upon this young talent.

Jamie George has completed four full 80-minute stints in this tournament, and setting aside two errant throws from yesterday, his performance has been nothing short of outstanding. Nonetheless, it's crucial to recognize that neither he nor Luke Cowan-Dickie will be part of England's plans for the 2027 campaign.

Therefore, the moment has arrived to introduce Theo Dan into the mix, with the possibility of having Jack Walker as a bench option. Dan possesses dynamic qualities, but to reach the desired level and help propel England back to their best, he needs substantial experience in high-pressure matches, perhaps even contests for Six Nations titles.

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