How it happened
Emile Heskey's second half strike hands England a 2-1 win in Durban over a busy South African side who had earlier equalised Gareth Southgate's first minute headed opener...Sven's men lifted the International Launch Trophy, commemorating the launch of South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid...here's how it happened...
First-Half
A goal from Gareth Soutgate after only 36 seconds gives England the best of starts in Durban.
England were positive with a Michael Owen direct from the kick off. He brought David Beckham into play who in turn rolled back to Danny Mills. A long ball forward from the Leeds defender was bound for Owen out wide on the right, but as he received the pass, Mills' Leeds team mate Lucas Radebe pulled down the Liverpool man for a free-kick.
Beckham delivered an inch perfect cross from the dead-ball to the head of Southgate at the near post who glanced home beyond the flailing dive of the mis-placed Baloyi.
On 18 minutes Benni McCarthy equalised for South Africa. A Scholes pass was blocked by Sibaya just inside the England half and the ball was fed forward to Shaun Barlett. The Charlton Athletic striker rolled out wide where support was arriving in the shape of Delron Buckley whose cross from the left struck Danny Mills' hand inside the box. Referee Chong, maybe a little harshly, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and brandished his yellow card.
McCarthy, once a target of Middlesbrough, made no mistake with a crisp spot-kick that was just out of David James' dive to the right.
Second-Half
Substitution for England: Paul Robinson on for David James (45)
Substitution for England: Matthew Upson on for Rio Ferdinand (45)
Substitution for England: Jermaine Jenas on for David Beckham (51)
Beckham goes of after falling awkwardly on his arm and an x-ray later reveals a fractured scafoid, a bone in his thumb.
Substitution for England: Frank Lampard on for Trevor Sinclair (58)
Emile Heskey restores England's lead on 64 minutes. Substitute Frank Lampard collected the ball on the half way line, unoppossed, the Chelsea midfielder carried the ball within shooting range and from 30 yards struck a fierce low drive to Boloyi's right. The Kaiser Chief's keeper, like so many times during the game, could not hold the shot and Heskey was on hand to turn home the re-bound.
Substitution for England: Darius Vassell on for Emile Heskey (64)
Substitution for SA: Lesley Manyathela on for Benni McCarthy (68)
Substitution for England: Joe Cole on for Paul Scholes (75)
Substitution for SA: Clement Mazibuko on for Stanton Fredericks (77)
Substitution for England: Gareth Barry on for Steven Gerrard (82)
Full-time: South Africa 1 - England 2
Team News
Sven names five changes to the side that beat Turkey and, after watching that match from the bench, Emile Heskey lines up alongside Michael Owen in the forward line.
At the back there are returns too for Danny Mills, who last played against Australia at Upton Park, and Phil Neville either side of centre-backs Southgate and Ferdinand.
David James begins in goal while West Ham team mate Trevor Sinclair gets his first start since the World Cup in a strong midfield quartet alongside Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and captain, David Beckham.
The Teams;
South Africa:
Baloyi, Mabizela, Molefe, A Mokoena, Radebe (c), Sibaya, T Mokoena, Fredericks (Mazibuko, 77), Buckley, Bartlett, McCarthy (Manyathela, 68)
Subs: Lekgwathi, Evans, Coyle, Mendu, Mazibuko, Khanyeza, Manyathela, Josephs
England:
David James (Paul Robinson, 45), Danny Mills, Phil Neville, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand (Matthew Upson, 45), Gareth Southgate, David Beckham(c) (Jermaine Jenas, 51), Paul Scholes, Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Trevor Sinclair
Subs: Gareth Barry, Paul Robinson, Matthew Upson, Jermaine Jenas, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Darius Vassell, Ian Walker
Referee: Lim Kee Chong (Mauritius)
Assistants: Mr. I Juggunath and Mr. R Ramphul (Mauritius)
Related Items:
Click here to read our full report on the game in our South Africa v England: Match Centre