This was the game that announced Grace Clinton as a future England star, delivering the sort of all action, all running, all threatening midfield display the Lionesses have been lacking for a while.
On another testing night for the Lionesses, who were plagued by yet more defensive mistakes, we may just have found the heir to Jill Scott’s throne.
They are not the same type of player, Clinton is probably better on the ball than Scott was, but they both bring athleticism and power. They also have a little bit of a nasty streak. In old money, you could say they like to get stuck in.
Clinton is a box-to-box midfielder in the true sense of the world. She is quick and strong, making an impact at both ends of the pitch. She can do the ugly, scrappy side of things, yet also brings a deft touch, calmness under pressure, drawing fouls when squeezed and a passing range that constantly enabled England to get on the front foot against South Africa.
Where some in England’s midfield have become a little too risk averse, playing safe passes which help England retain possession, but make them easier to defend against, Clinton’s first thought is ‘how can I hurt the opposition?’
Whether it was a forward pass, or trying to break the lines with a surging run there was a dynamism to her play. Grace has guile and England missed her when she was withdrawn around the hour mark and they looked let letting South Africa back into a game they had controlled.
Having prevented South Africa equalising with a last ditch tackle, made because she diligently tracked a midfield runner, Clinton scored the second with a powerful header at the end of a perfectly timed run.
It was her second international goal in just her fourth appearance. England might have a real player – who offers something different to their other midfielders – on their hands.
They also still have a concern over captain Williamson’s form though. On the night she got her 50th cap, the skipper scored, but also cost her side a goal, just as she did against Germany last week, with another wayward pass to the opposition deep inside her own half.
Match detailsEngland (4-1-4-1): Earps 6; Le Tissier 7, Williamson 6 (Bright 73), Greenwood 7, Morgan 6; (Bronze 61) Stanway 5, Kelly 6, Clinton 8 (Toone 62), Park 7 (Kirby 62), Mead 5 (Hemp 73), Naz 7 ,
Subs not used: Hampton; Moorhouse, Walsh, Beever-Jones, Carter, Parker
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Swart 6 (Dlamini 46) ; Kgatlana 6, Mbane 7 , Makhubela 7, Dhlamini 6; S Cesane 6 (Biyana 46), Magaia; Ramalepe, N Cesane 6, Motau 7 (Holweni 77); Molthalo 7
Subs not used: Magagula, Manengela, Mhlongo, S Shamase, T Shamase, Mthandi,Michael, Majiya.
How did England’s Next Gen get on against South Africa?It was a much changed side against South Africa as Sarina Wiegman looked to give a new generation of England players a chance to impress.
And it was not just Manchester United’s Grace Clinton who impressed, while others still have improvements to make as the Lionesses look to refresh things heading into the European Championship.
Telegraph Sports takes a look at England’s new generation of players as they look to force their way into the side or cement their place in the squad before the summer.
Jess NazThere are the raw ingredients there and she is an intriguing prospect at this level. The Spurs forward, given the No 9 shirt, has pace and an ability to stretch a defence running in behind. She also dropped deep to link play quite nicely against South Africa too.
England do not have a lot of competition for places in attack but Naz, who is not a youngster as such at the age of 24 –could be a useful weapon from the bench.
Probably still feeling her way at international level in the senior environment – this was only her third international cap and her first start – she got an assist in the build up to Leah Williamson’s goal. Definitely worth preserving with and will hopefully benefit from more game exposure.
Grace ClintonWhat a performance from England’s number 8. Quick and strong, she was a force of nature in the middle of the pitch. Driving the team forward with her speed over the ground. Constantly looking to break the lines, her first instinct is to pass forward which stood out in a midfield where others have become far more risk averse.
She is strong too, snapping into the tackle, relishing physical contact and is a true box to box midfielder. England may just have found the heir to Jill Scott in the centre of midfield. She also knows where the goal is too, scoring with a powerful header in the first half. A real breakthrough display from the 21-year-old who deserves to start against the USA at the end of November.
Maya Le Tissier Has played all her club football for Manchester United as a right-sided centre back but has mainly been deployed at right back for England where she is cover for Lucy Bronze.
Does not offer anything like the same offensive threat as Bronze with her ability to run with the ball, although it was her cross headed in by Clinton and it was an excellent one.
She is a strong defender and dealt with quick and tricky opponents here. She is also good in the air which is a useful asset to have. Was moved out to left back in the second half and drew a huge cheer with a thumping tackle to win a 50-50 ball. Deserves to keep her place in the squad at least. A definite plus point for Wiegman.
Esme Morgan Got a little exposed in an unfamiliar left back role – England’s back four was made up entirely of centre backs – but this might be the position where she has the best chance to break into the first team.
There was one bad mistake in the first half that allowed South Africa to get in behind and almost led to a goal, but she recovered from that. Was presumably in the side to add some height to the defence in the absence of Millie Bright at set pieces, but does not have the same physical presence as the Chelsea centre back.
Will remain a part of the squad and probably a little unfair to judge her when she is playing out of position. But England have a lot of questions about the left back role where Jess Carter – another right footed centre back – has been inconsistent. Morgan did not do well enough here though to prove she is a solution.
Jess ParkShe is the definition of neat and tidy and does find little pockets of space between midfield and defence where she should be able to hurt the opposition more. But nothing quite came off for her against South Africa and there is a lot of competition for places as an attacking midfielder.
Park was preferred to Clinton when she came off the bench to replace Ella Toone against Germany but Wiegman would have wanted to see more from the Manchester City player when given a starting role in Coventry.
There is, potentially, a really good international player in there and she has impressed Wiegman in training, but this was a quiet evening by her standards. Looks secure in the squad but probably as a backup player at the moment.