Wilkinson disappointed as South Africa humble England

England captain Jonny Wilkinson insists his side's tour of South Africa could prove useful despite a weakened side taking a heavy beating for a second week running today.

The Springboks ran in eight tries in a 55-22 win in Pretoria, despite the fact that Dan Scarbrough's touchdown had helped the visitors to a 19-17 lead at the interval.

Wilkinson's six kicks provided the rest of the points and he admitted to Sky Sports 1 afterwards: "The effort has been fantastic and the cohesion in the squad, you couldn't ask for more.

"But in this kind of atmosphere and environment small mistakes get bigger. The consequence is too much and there were too many of those.

"Everyone was at fault at some point and those are the lessons we have to learn.

"We lost both these games because we weren't good enough, but if we take these lessons on board then this will be a very helpful tour."

But Wilkinson admitted England must learn to impose themselves on top-class sides if they want to enjoy international success.

"It's an issue of authority and stamping it on the game," he added. "If you do that it becomes a lot easier."

"But if you let the opposition do that eventually it becomes too much. That's why the tries come at the end."

England coach Brian Ashton slammed his men for their second-half capitulation in today's Test, when they were outscored 38-3 as the hosts ran amok.

"First half, 17-6 down, and then we fought back - I thought then we could give them a game," he told Sky Sports 1.

"But they turned up the pressure and certain areas of our game didn't function.

"The energy levels dropped quite dramatically and people were falling off tackles. That was one of the big differences.

"You expect international players to play for the whole 80 minutes."

He added: "One or two players showed that they are capable of competing at this level. But overall I'm disappointed.

"We made silly mistakes and gradually the game starts to slip away.

"There are players whose performances I have been pleased with.

"But there are one or two who maybe won't make the World Cup training squad now."

South Africa captain John Smit praised England for an improved performance after last week's 58-10 battering in the first Test.

But he was happy with his own team's showing as they eventually ran their visitors ragged once again.

"If someone said before these Tests we would have two 50-pointers, we would have signed on the dotted line," he told Sky Sports.

"It was a much better performance from England today.

"The first half was very frustrating and when we started playing direct there was a bit more momentum on our side."

And Smit believes the Springboks can go into the autumn's World Cup - where they face England again in the group stages - with confidence.

"There is a lot of work to be done," he added. "But this year we have got a chance."

"We have had three years of preparation and are in good shape."