KEY POINTS:
England 23 S. Africa 21
Twickenham
As Phil Vickery became the sharp end of England's bulldozer to claim victory with the winning try yesterday, coach Andy Robinson jumped in the air as though his job depended on it.
He had said beforehand that it was all about producing
an improved England performance. In reality, he knew that a result here was just as crucial; for his future, for England's.
But for too much of this test many of England's old failings re-emerged.
Their passing lacked precision and authority, and when they enjoyed possession, which they did particularly in the second half, too often they failed to capitalise on it.
Indeed, they were fortunate to claim victory, and this against opposition which was very much second-string, with a dozen elite Springboks left at home.
Springbok coach Jake White was left to rue what could have been the Springboks' first victory against England at Twickenham since 1997. They surrendered a 12-point cushion to gift Robinson some breathing space as he battles to keep his job.
Now White will be under immense pressure to produce a positive result when the two sides meet again next weekend.
Scotland 34 Pacific Is 22
Murrayfield
Two serious-looking injuries put the damper on Scotland's celebrations yesterday.
With several frontliners already on the casualty list, Scotland halfback Chris Cusiter and loose forward Johnny Beattie were taken to hospital after being carried off in the opening 10 minutes.
Cusiter appeared to have hurt his shoulder again while Beattie suffered a suspected ankle fracture, a week after marking his first cap with a try.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden said afterwards: "I don't want to make any observations until I have watched the match on video. But I have to stress that losing two such important players so early in the game showed we could make a seamless transition on the park. The fact that other players could come in so easily underlined the maturity in the squad."
Hadden is already resigned to being without skipper Jason White and loose forward Ally Hogg long-term. And the Beattie situation will be a major worry, not only for next weekend's match against Australia, but the looming Six Nations campaign.
The other big concern for Hadden was his side's failure to ram home their superiority in the second half after leading by 26 points at the break.
Wales 61 Canada 26
Cardiff
Wales are sweating on the fitness of fullback Gareth Thomas ahead of the test against New Zealand next Sunday. Thomas twisted a knee captaining Wales to their nine tries-to-two drubbing of Canada on Saturday.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said Thomas would undergo a scan but he was not holding out much hope of him featuring against the All Blacks. "It doesn't look like he will make it at the moment but we are trying to remain positive," Jenkins said.
The injury adds to Wales' problems behind the scrum. Gavin Henson pulled out just before the Canada game with an infected toe, while captain Stephen Jones is still in rehabilitation after twisting his knee in the 29-29 draw with Australia.
Argentina 23 Italy 16
Rome
A strong second-half performance by Argentina helped the visitors to follow up last weekend's 25-18 upset of world champions England.
Tries by second-five eighths Miguel Avramovic and halfback Federico Todeschini, who added 13 points with the boot, did the job but Argentina did not have it all their own way in Rome yesterday.
Italy were 9-3 up at halftime, thanks to three penalties by fullback David Bortolussi, and winger Marko Stanojevic grabbed a late try to ensure a nervy finale for the Pumas.
- AGENCIES
