England 2-1 South Africa: Wiegman’s changes bring mixed results
Unconvincing win over South Africa leaves more selection headaches for Sarina Wiegman
England’s chaotic 4-3 loss to Germany at Wembley last week sparked the need for change. Head coach Sarina Wiegman responded on Tuesday night against South Africa with eight changes to her starting XI, including a first start for 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward Jessica Naz and the return of in-form Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton.
The much-changed team didn’t deliver a convincing performance, scraping a 2-1 win against the reigning African champions. England were forced to cling on to early goals from Leah Williamson, who kept her starting place despite struggling in the Germany game, and Clinton.
Wiegman’s much-changed lineup suggested attacking impetus from the offset—with two more natural attacking midfielders - Clinton and Jess Park - flanking Stanway in the single pivot. The selection of a natural left-sided centre-back in Greenwood also suggested Wiegman was finally conceding that her centre back partnership is far from its best.
Williamson’s goal looked like it briefly galvanised the team, with all of the group rallying around the under pressure England captain in the celebrations. But in the second half, a misplaced pass from Williamson, just like in the Germany game, would again expose England’s centre back. Thembi Kgatlana pounced on Williamson’s error and pulled a goal back for South Africa. The forward would have plenty more chances to make it 2-2 as England looked continuously exposed in transition moments.
In the end, England did hold on but it wasn’t the dominant performance many had hoped they would see.
The Cutback takes a deeper look at some of Wiegman’s selection changes against South Africa and the potential impact of some of these individual performances.
Grace Clinton
Manchester United midfield sensation Clinton is no stranger to the England squad, even at the age of 21. The Merseyside-born playmaker has only been in and around the England squad for over a year but she already feels like a core part of the team, which is a testament to how highly she's rated within the England setup.
Since scoring on her international debut in February this year, Clinton has risen exponentially for club and country—starring on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last season, winning PFA Women's Young Player of the Year and featuring in the Team of the Year and now establishing herself as a go-to figure for United in their unbeaten start to the season—that form has seemingly translated onto the international stage.
Her performance against a stringent South African team was laced with purpose and ingenuity that was cited to be lacking in club mate Ella Toone’s game against Germany. Clinton’s goal — England’s second — was further evidence of the goal-scoring ability that she has developed playing in numerous positions, with a timely late run meeting a looped cross and powering a header in.
With every game, Clinton etches herself as the future face of the national team going forward. Her latest, a credible showing that such a statement is more reachable than ridiculous.
Maya Le Tissier
The provider of Clinton’s goal was her club captain and one year her senior, Le Tissier.
Le Tissier’s chances of featuring regularly for England have always been in doubt given England’s defensive depth. She has had to be patient and been on the fringes since her first camp in November 2022. She was named on the standby list for last summer's Women's World Cup and not part of the England set-up when they won Euro 2022.
Le Tissier’s natural centre-back position is stacked with established senior players such as Williamson and Millie Bright, while Lucy Bronze has been an unmovable presence at right-back for more than a decade.
Bronze - though one of the best in her position - is more flappable than she has been in the past. Le Tissier has emerged as her deputy and naturally came into the role against South Africa.
When Bronze came on, Le Tissier shifted to the left-back role, showing her defensive versatility. Le Tissier had to see out the game in an unfamiliar position under the mounting pressure of a potential South Africa comeback.
Le Tissier has spoken about needing to "cement her spot" in the England team over the past week, and though she is yet to signify herself as a starter in any position, she certainly is emerging as an able utility player.
Jessica Naz
Naz’s inclusion is fascinating given the Spurs forward has never really emerged as a standout player in her position, let alone the WSL in general. But, with Lauren James withdrawing from the squad through injury and Aggie Beever-Jones being carefully ushered into the squad, Naz provides an interesting option—as a prolific scorer in the England youth teams—to offer a challenge to Alessia Russo in the number nine position.
Though known for her direct vertical style, mainly utilised out wide for Spurs, her involvement in England’s opener showed she can contribute. Sh laid off a ball for Williamson to stab in.
Apart from her assist, Naz’s presence in the game remained null, which is partly credited to how the opposition handled her and left the lasting memory of her game more on the inability to get England up the pitch than the goal contribution.
Jess Park
Park had the unenvious role of being Clinton’s support act; while the latter dazzled with the ball, Park saw less of the action, which, as the more advanced of the midfield trio, limited her footprint on the overall game. For Manchester City, it's the opposite, as she scurries around the pitch, supplying the front player ahead of her.
Last night, when she did receive the ball, she showed a level of technical assurance that won't go amiss with Wiegman, who has stressed the need for a high level of ball quality from all quarters of her squad at all times.
Alex Greenwood
Greenwood has been a wanted presence in regular line-ups from England supporters since her performances in the World Cup—an opening that was provided through the ACL injury to Williamson.
Wiegman has been loyal to her captain Williamson who started both games over this international break. She’s still recovering from the after-effects of such a heavy injury, with both respective performances showing a hesitancy on the ball and a hesitancy without it.
To her left, you had a player thriving in her form in Greenwood. Distributing the ball with ease and rarely losing out on her individual duels.
With Williamson and Millie Bright, England's defence was picked off and dismantled on numerous attacks against Germany. South Africa are a less threatening opposition in every way, but Greenwood’s renewed presence in England’s starting XI highlighted a confidence and assurance that the defence and team, in general, have starved for.
Looking ahead
It has been a difficult international break for Wiegman. The expectation of this window was that England would deliver two good performances and start Euro 2025 preparations in good form. In reality, Wiegman leaves with more questions than answers.
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I think tactically Wiegman is out of ideas. Trying too hard to be "unpredictable" by changing shapes during the game. In the 1st half alone LW, AG and GS all gave the ball away in dangerous areas. Unlucky for Williamson, that her loose pass is the one that leads to a goal. And that becomes the story. Thought she was more alert today vs Germany. System clearly not working, too many gaps in defense and players don't look comfortable. Midfield worries me more than anything. Forgot JP was even on the pitch. CK looked good and was the only one really offering movement and forcing things to happen. Would've liked to see a midfield of KW, ET, GC to see if they work together with Russo up top. Felt like Bronze's comments post-match were also very interesting re: media pressure, standards, LW and the need to reinvent the side. I think this England side know it in their hearts that as things stand they don't have it in them to win the Euros again. They know that something has to change. SW knows she needs to do something different, but exactly how to translate this "difference/unpredictability" on the pitch is something she doesn't have the answer to yet. Bummed that LJ withdrew, would've loved to see how her involvement changes things (to the better!) for the side.
I agree with Clinton being a bright future star but sorry Naz is not the answer and is so easily pushed off the ball by harder defenders, so me thinks Russo hasnt got much to worry about - she is probably included just to tick the box on the excel sheet - I say no more. As for the main squad it is really showing now that many are past their best ... so where does SW go from here bar maybe waiting for the next big move contact before things get bad.