The time has come for this England rugby side to stand and deliver The amount of time left would also have been extended, by two or more minutes, had England forward's not walked slowly to many line-outs. Though highlighted previously, this indolence wastes time which might, as was the case against Australia, be needed later in a game. This was all the more maddening as, by and large, the England forwards came through what was a decisive test of their mettle. Continually being ready first for line-outs and scrums is another way of adding pressure on opposing forwards. Some surprising statistics emerged and none more than that England made 417 metres to 174 for the Springboks with ball in hand. Add to this that England had more possession 58-42 and territory 60-40 than their opponents and you would think that they had the upper hand for most of the match. The truth is that they did little to suggest they could breach South Africa's first up defence and their momentum was stalled by losing line-outs and failure to keep the ball in contact. Most frustratingly, it was impossible to discern where England were trying to strike and how. An amorphous set of direct assaults at a well-organised and capable defensive line yielded little, and were often launched by players who were standing still or had little momentum. Those of us who predicted that the game would provide answers about Stuart Lancaster's team are left with more questions. Are they a side falling short because they are inexperienced but can learn the necessary ways to win tight games or are they not good enough? We are approaching the "stand and deliver" stage of this side's development. Next Saturday's game against the All Blacks will provide more definitive evidence. England's front five and back three have the personnel, in whatever combination, to compete when they concentrate and are fully committed. This leaves nearly half the team in doubt. It is the last chance for the combination of Brad Barritt, Manu Tuilagi and Toby Flood (if fit) to prove it can create more than the occasional burst through direct running. Similarly, the back-row balance with Robshaw at seven will come under the severest scrutiny against the world's best back row. For a final observation, let us take the New Zealand manager, Steve Hansen's Wenger-like failure fully to see the cowardly forearm smash from behind made by his hooker Andrew Hore on Bradley Davies. You can be sure if the reverse had happened, or it had been a disputed touchdown, Hansen would have had chapter and verse at his fingertips for the post-match interview. A citing is certain, as is a further round of bleating and unsubstantiated, fatuous allegations from New Zealand fans, which includes their media, about undue influence of northern hemisphere media on the International Rugby Board. Then again, that is not surprising as they still see nothing wrong with the deliberate injury inflicted on Brian O'Driscoll and several other incidents going back a number of years.