South Africa player ratings vs Wales - RWC SF
It was far from a classic but South Africa did enough to book their place in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final with a 19-16 defeat of Wales in Yokohama.
In a tight game, many of the Springboks’ backs failed to make their impact felt, but the pack stepped up to ensure Rassie Erasmus’ side got over the line and set up a clash with England on Saturday.
15 Willie le Roux – 5
Finally, the fullback showed a little courage as he plucked some high ball against Wales veteran Leigh Halfpenny. Despite his failure in the air, the fullback defence was solid. Nonetheless, the question still remains would Frans Steyn or Cheslin Kolbe be a better option at fullback for the final.
14 Sibusiso Nkosi – 5
He saw very little of the ball due to the kicking nature of the match. However, he showed his skills with a strong break which landed the Springboks’ a penalty and their first points. On defence, he was caught in no-man’s-land on a couple of occasions, but overall a good effort by the wing.
13 Lukhanyo Am – 6
Another very busy defensive display by the centre. He made all his tackles however he needs to get more involved on attack.
12 Damian de Allende – 8.5
The centre has been incredible throughout the tournament. His workrate was again tremendous – making tackle after tackle. De Allende made one or two silly decisions (such as a poor chip kick to Mapimpi), but overall a great performance that included an amazing try.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1188425266164621331
11 Makazole Mapimpi – 5
Unlike last week, the wing’s try-scoring opportunities were very limited. He was kept busy on defence and had a few problems when it came to the aerial contest.
10 Handré Pollard – 7.5
He played a vital role in Damian de Allende’s try and in the last quarter of the match showed glimpses of how lethal he can be on attack. The No.10 was solid from the tee, nailing all of his five kicks. Certainly a very calm figure.
9 Faf de Klerk – 8
It was clear that the scrumhalf played his own game, his box kicks were effective and he made a sniping run in the opening minutes. His distribution was fairly accurate, while his defence (which include two crucial ankle taps on dangerman George North), again proved to be vital for the Springboks. Just that silly fumble in the second half marred his nearly flawless display.
8 Duane Vermeulen – 7.5
His trademark big run ended Tomas Francis’ semi-final match in the 35th minute. The strong No.8 also took some hits but nothing that halted his momentum. He made 46 running metres and bashed through defenders.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7
The flanker had a slow start. However his very industrious defensive performance (18 tackles; two missed) made up for that. Will be interesting to see how he competes against England’s Sam Underhill and Tom Curry next week.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1188432854541328385
6 Siya Kolisi – 6
He was a reliable defender, notching up eight tackles. On attack, he made a couple of metres.
5 Lodewyk de Jager – 6
Put in a strong shift and provided plenty of muscle in some driving mauls before he left the field just short of the hour mark.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 7
Disrupted the Wales set piece and his aggressive nature around the rucks and in tackles was a much-needed component.
3 Frans Malherbe – 7
He was strong in the scrums and got the better of his opponent. Certainly a powerful display by the prop.
2 Bongi Mbonambi – 6
Was effective with his strong defensive display and found his jumpers in the line-outs. However, a below-par performance as he was quiet during open play. Replaced by Malcolm Marx after 48 minutes.
1 Tendai Mtawarira – 6
He was solid in the scrums and laid a perfect foundation for the Springboks.
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx (on for Mbonambi, 48th minute) – 7
Made a huge impact and was a vital part of the Springboks’ late defensive effort.
17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 48th minutes) – 7
Just like his fellow front row forwards, Kitshoff was brought in to aid the Springboks defence, and he did just that.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1188452790089080836
18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe, 48th minutes) – 8
Another important cog from the bench, Koch made all of his 10 tackles during his 33 minutes on the field.
19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 52nd minute) – 8
Made an impact when he was introduced. The lock proved to be an effective line-out option as he directed the driving maul very well. Was also very good in open play.
20 Franco Mostert (on for De Jager, 58th minute) – 6
His first touch of the ball was far from perfect or accurate, however still put in an industrious shift.
21 Francois Louw (on for Kolisi, 68th Minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Frans Steyn. (on for Le Roux, 68th minute)
Not enough time to be rated
Watch: Warren Gatland and Wales reflect on semi final loss
Comments on RugbyPass
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
27 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
4 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
4 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
27 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
19 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
27 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
27 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
27 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to comments