A colourful night in Durban, commemorating the launch of South Africa's 2010 Wor

A colourful night in Durban, commemorating the launch of South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid, ended in smiles all around as England came away with a 2-1 victory, through goals from Gareth Southgate and Emile Heskey, while South Africa proved that they have what it takes to host big matches. But the news that England skipper David Beckham has fractured a bone just took the edge off for Sven's men.

Coming off early in the second half, Beckham was on his way to hospital straight away where x-rays confirmed a fracture of the scaphoid, the small bone connecting the thumb and wrist.

After collecting a suspension for the Slovakia qualifier, Beckham was not due to be involved in the Serbia and Montenegro match either, so he now has time to rest away from football, but Sven was confident that, though his skipper had been taken away to the hospital, he would return home to England when the rest of the squad flies back tonight, he said: "After that he comes home with us. Our doctors thought it best to take the x-rays at once."

Without exerting themselves too much, England were good for the victory and Sven was pleased with the way the game panned out.

"We came here and we played okay in the first half and played much better second half and we won.

"I think now and then you have to go outside Europe to play friendly games and it was a good occasion to do it. The qualification game is June 11 so it was a good time.

"It was part of our preparations so it is very good.

"First half we weren't very aggressive. We could have defended in a different way but the second half was much, much better and those players coming on did very well.

"A victory is always a victory even if it is only a friendly game.

"I think we performed rather well. It's good, it's very good. I'm glad I came - it's something we have to do now and then, leave Europe.

"It's good for England and it's very good for South Africa."

Michael Owen, who pulled on the arm-band when Becks was withdrawn, also had a positive outlook following tonight's game, and the trip in general, and was pleased with the performance: "It was important for the spirit of team - we may have to come here and play in the World Cup at some stage so it's important experience," he said.

"I thought we played well considering we've come over here and not had a great preparation - considering what has gone before I thought it was a good performance.

"We don't get together that much and when we do we have got to make the most of it."

While Gareth Southgate, who opened the scoring with a header from a Beckham free-kick after just 36 seconds, added: "I'm pleased we got off to a good start - I think it settled everyone down a bit.

"It was a good performance - and that's important for the next couple of weeks."

Related Items:

Click here to read our full report on the game in our South Africa v England: Match Centre