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All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks | 1st Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 2026
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The four-Test series between the All Blacks and the Springboks has hit the ground running at Ellis Park, with Dave Rennie’s side overcoming the back-to-back World Cup winners, 33-16.
Rennie’s side gained ascendancy in the second half, where their bench forwards added considerable impact on what was an even contest at the halfway point.
The Springboks gained dominance at scrumtime as the first half progressed, but Rennie’s All Blacks managed to hold on as Erasmus’ side couldn’t strike just before halftime.
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The visitors managed the second half expertly, while the Springboks were ill-disciplined and erratic defensively.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated at Ellis Park.
1. Ethan de Groot – 5
The Highlanders prop copped a minor knee injury early in the contest, but battled on for the first half. Pinged for collapsing the scrum in the 26th minute, the first infringement at scrum time. Two scrums late in the first half were sent backwards, before de Groot left the field with a nasty head knock. Six carries and two tackles in his 40 minutes.
2. Codie Taylor – 4
The All Blacks vice-captain infringed at a ruck in the fourth minute, before being marched ten for not handing the ball back to the Springboks. Pinged again at a breakdown, but the Springboks used the advantage to score their first try. While the lineout had only one miss during the first half, the Springboks dominated the scrum. Off in the 54th minute with twelve tackles, but an otherwise tough, and ill-disciplined evening.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 5
Tough night. In a mouth-watering clash against Ox Nche, Lomax didn’t falter during the first 20 minutes. But around the park, Lomax struggled to impose himself with ball in hand. The Hurricanes prop then couldn’t hold Nche’s power at the scrum, where the Springboks prop got the better of Lomax. Off at 50.
4. Josh Lord – 5
The All Blacks lock went early at a Springboks linout maul, which led to Andre Esterhuizen’s five-pointer. Nice spot tackle on Nche that forced the prop to knock the ball on, before infringing for the same thing at lineout time late in the first half. Off before halftime with six carries after a clash of heads with de Groot.
5. Fabian Holland – 7.5
Worked tirelessly and showed why Rennie trusted the Dutchman in the second row. With the All Blacks hot on attack during the first half, referee Matthew Carley penalised Holland for a neck-roll. Strong first action in the second half, winning the ball back from a midfield ruck. Charged down a Grant Williams box-kick brilliantly, before regathering and dotting down for the All Blacks’ first in the second half.
6. Tupou Vaa’i – 7
Carried efficiently from the edges, often cutting back in and keeping the ball alive. That’s where his 23rd-minute try-assist came from, shifting it to Moorby after getting his arms free. Vaa’i shifted to lock shortly before halftime, playing the remainder of the game there, getting through a mountain of work. Finished with five tackles and seven carries.
7. Luke Jacobson – 7
Jacobson was a pivotal part of the All Blacks forward pack at Ellis Park. Wouldn’t be the first player, or the last, to be stepped by Cheslin Kolbe, but the Chiefs No.7 was caught static defensively. A couple of important ruck cleans in the second half, when the Springboks’ loose-forwards had attempts at finding a turnover. Jacobson powered over the line late, to extend the All Blacks’ lead.
8. Ardie Savea – 7
The All Blacks’ inspirational leader had a quiet, but strong first half at Ellis Park. Smartly got the ball out of the scrums quickly, while his ball carrying helped the All Blacks get on the front foot. Great carry off the back of the scrum on the Springboks’ five-meter line, which led to Jacobson’s try. An important breakdown steal to keep the All Blacks on attack.
9. Cam Roigard – 8
Superb in his first start in South Africa. Claimed an early breakdown turnover before the halfback started sniping dangerously around the ruck. Fired a brilliant cut-out pass to Jordan for the All Blacks’ first of the night. Provided the All Blacks with an incredible clearing kick late in the first half at the base of a ruck. Roigard was influential as ever, showcasing his world-class sniping ability around the ruck.
10. Ruben Love – 6.5
The Hurricanes first-five took his confidence from the first Tests of the year into Ellis Park, looking assured in his primary roles. Solid clearing kick late on the first half, getting the All Blacks out of trouble. Limited to shifting the ball onto his outside-back teammates, but the 25-year-old had a strong night.
11. Josh Moorby – 6.5
Overpowered by Esterhuizen in a one-on-one tackle, resulting in the Springboks’ first. Took Vaa’i’s offload into his stride to power over for the All Blacks’ second. Reward for his constant efforts around the field. Missed a team-high three tackles at the halfway mark. Replaced late in the second half.
12. Jordie Barrett – 9
The All Blacks’ best. The Hurricanes second-five was a standout defensively, constantly repelling Springboks ball carriers. Barrett’s looping passes were effective on multiple occasions, while his defence was also brutal. An important intervention stopped a Malcolm Marx rolling-maul try close to halftime, as was his stop on Wiese on the stroke of halftime. Game-high four turnovers won at the break. Yet again, it was Barrett who stopped Wiese close to the line in the 50th minute. Finished the contest with the game-leading 15 tackles and five turnovers won.
13. Quinn Tupaea – 8
Smart performance. Chased box-kicks extremely hard all evening and worked constantly on the defensive side of the ball. Bootlace tackles stopped a number of Springboks players with ball in hand. Brilliant 50/22 grubber kick to help the All Blacks continue the pressure. Maybe lacked impact with the ball in hand, but it was a steady, strong, and important performance from the Chiefs No.12.
14. Will Jordan – 7.5
Jordan dotted down for an early try in the corner in the tenth minute, finishing the Roigard pass expertly. Took a quick-tap off a mark call, but couldn’t get the kick away, gifting the Springboks possession back. Struggled in the air against the Springboks’ chasers, knocking the ball on multiple times. Jordan’s defensive work-rate in the 65th minute was on show, with a double-effort play winning a breakdown turnover.
15. Damian McKenzie – 6.5
Largely uneventful first half for the fullback, despite nursing a slight ankle injury from the Sharks clash. Started the second half with more of an influence, looking for spaces in the Springboks defence. McKenzie, out of absolutely nowhere, hit a Jordan offload at pace in midfield, and was inches away from providing Roigard with an important try. Some nice touches in the second half, and he helped the All Blacks clinch victory.
Replacements
16. Asafo Aumua – 6.5
The reserve hooker added immediate impact at scrum time along with Newell, winning a crucial penalty in the 56th minute. Crunching tackle with Bower on Pieter-Steph du Toit, setting the ball free. His lineout throwing, though, not fully his fault, couldn’t find his targets.
17. George Bower – 7
The Crusaders prop, who arguably was a surprise selection over Xavier Numia, entered the field late in the first half. The first scrum was solid, but he infringed at the second and third, early in the first half. Scrum became more competitive in the second half, and Bower had a number of solid defensive contributions.
18. Fletcher Newell – 7
Strong impact at scrum time , earning a penalty for his work. Showcased why he’s a crucial part of the All Blacks front row.
19. Simon Parker – 6
Parker was not only a late inclusion due to Anton Segner’s swollen ankle, but he was also thrown into the contest in the first half. Strong all round performance, getting through a brunt of the dirty work in and around the ruck.
20. Peter Lakai – 7
Earned a late breakdown penalty.
21. Kyle Preston – N/A
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – N/A
23. Leroy Carter – 6
