Steve Borthwick's England turned Twickenham into a statement, flattening an Australia side fresh off a win over the Springboks in a record victory.
Africa's rugby fans will be watching this one closely. The Wallabies side that recently got the better of the Springboks was taken apart at Twickenham, and England did it with a ruthless edge that the rest of the world will have noticed.
It was a record win, and for the first time in weeks England looked like a team that knows exactly what it is. There were no excuses about youth or inexperience, and no talk of "taking the learnings". Steve Borthwick's side were physical, arrogant and clinical, and Australia never found a way into the contest.
It was not flawless. The first half had a couple of needless scrum penalties and some wobbly lineout throws that will need tidying. But those blemishes barely dented a performance that ranks among England's best since Borthwick took charge, and their best since beating New Zealand at the same ground a year ago.
For the southern hemisphere powers, including South Africa, the message is clear. This England group is growing into something hard to like and even harder to play against. Even Borthwick, famously stern, allowed himself a smile at the final whistle.
