Scotland player ratings vs South Africa | Rugby World Cup 2023
Scotland player ratings: Scotland were in the fight for 40 minutes, but fell away after the break as the defending champions took charge in Marseille.
Two quick tries from former world player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit and Kurt-Lee Arendse gave the Springboks a lead that Gregor Townsend’s side could not overhaul.
Defeat is a huge blow to Scotland’s hopes of qualifying from the pool of death at this World Cup; Townsend’s side must bounce back when they meet Tonga in Nice in two weeks time.
Here’s how the Scotland players fared in Marseille.
15. Blair Kinghorn – 6
It was a shaky start when he dropped a couple of high balls, but worked hard to mop up with Scotland almost relentlessly under pressure. Looked lively when he shifted to the wing in the closing stages, and might’ve scored but for an overhit Price kick.
14. Darcy Graham – 5
Did well to get on the outside, but had to give the pass to one of his Edinburgh back three colleagues. Didn’t really get many other chances, and was hooked early in the second half after battling to be fit for this one.
13. Huw Jones – 5
Picked for his attacking prowess, but just didn’t get the chance to show what he can do.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
Wasn’t able to get Scotland front-foot ball barring one big first-half carry. Put under huge pressure by the Springboks’ inside defence.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6
Opportunities to attack at a premium, and was well shackled by South Africa, but should’ve been put away for his 21st international try by his wing colleague. Scotland need to find a way of getting their big winger into these big games more.
10. Finn Russell – 6
An inauspicious start set the tone for a difficult afternoon for Scotland’s playmaker-in-chief, who couldn’t find the holes in the Springbok defence with his usual regularity. Did put Graham away, though, and that chance had to be finished. Outstanding tackles to prevent Kolbe and Williams from inflicting further damage.
9. Ben White – 6
Made more tackles than anyone else, and won a turnover, but couldn’t get the Scottish attack firing.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 5
Harsly penalised at an early scrum, but found himself up against it at the set-piece, barring one huge effort just before half-time.
2. George Turner – 4
Lineout can be an issue and there were two missed inside the first quarter, and another on Scotland’s first attacking foray inthe second half. Contributed some huge tackles.
3. Zander Fagerson – 5
Back from suspension, and put in a big shift for his 56 minutes before being removed. A tough afternoon at the scrum, but chipped in defensively with six tackles.
4. Richie Gray – 5
A good early carry to relieve pressure, then a terrific counter-ruck on 12 minutes which should have brought a Scotland penalty. Nothing like the impact of the Springbok locks with the ball.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 5
Led the defensive effort with nine tackles in his 56 minutes, but Scotland’s lineout leader will be disappointed with their three malfunctions in that area.
6. Jamie Ritchie – 5
Plenty has already been made of his relationship with referees, and he wasn’t able to influence Angus Gardner much today. Doesn’t help himself at times, like when he gave away a daft penalty for taking du Toit in the air. Only made three metres with ball in hand.
7. Rory Darge – 4
Punches above his weight defensively, but absolutely no opportunities to impact the breakdown.
8. Jack Dempsey – 6.5
A tireless worker who battled hard to take the game to the Springboks. On the receiving end of a high shot from Kriel early that went unpunished.
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry – 4
Thrown on as part of a four-man change on 56 minutes, but the lineout struggles remained.
17. Jamie Bhatti – 4
Nice hands on a couple of occasions, but struggled badly at the scrum.
18. WP Nel – 4
Scotland’s depth at tighthead is a problem and the 37-year-old veteran struggled here. Shipped two penalties after coming on.
19. Scott Cummings – 6
Threw himself into ball carrying after coming on, and did well to win a turnover with a choke tackle. A contender to start against Tonga.
20. Matt Fagerson – 5.5
Replaced Darge for the final 15 minutes, and his stand-out moment was a half break up the left wing,
21. Ali Price – 5
Perhaps only in the squad due to George Horne’s injury, and didn’t really any of the tempo his Glasgow colleague offers, with the exception of one half break which was undone by an overhit grubber for Kinghorn.
22. Cameron Redpath – 5
On for Tuipulotu inside the closing stages, and a couple of nice touches as Scotland looked for a consolation score.
23. Ollie Smith – 5
On for Graham with quarter of an hour to go, but barring one long kick didn’t have much impact.
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
3 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
3 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments