South Africa v Argentina - Springboks player ratings
Handre Pollard scored 31 points as South Africa thrashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta Saturday to win the Rugby Championship for the first time.
The Springboks last won a competition in 2009 when they finished first in the Tri-Nations, the forerunner of the Rugby Championship.
Here are the South African players’ ratings!
15. Willie le Roux – 5/10
A very quiet first half for the fullback particular on attack. Nonetheless, his kicks from the 22 helped South Africa exit quickly – but still a little inconsistent.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 7
The wing’s presence is always vital, whether on attack or defence his work rate is just impressive. He made 37 metres and eight carries. Also took over the role as scrumhalf during Faf de Klerk’s 10 minutes in the sin bin.
13. Lukhanyo Am – 5
Another player who did not fire on all cylinders. His defensive system was great however hist attacking skills continue to flaw his overall form. The centre made one noteworthy run but nothing spectacular.
12. Damian de Allende – 7
It was one of his better performances in the Springbok jersey. Was a prominent figure in defence as he made some solid tackles which drove the Los Pumas back. Also vital at the breakdown, making a crucial turnover on 48 minutes inside the Boks’ five-metre.
11. Makazole Mapimpi – 6
A nervy start by the wing, his first touched was a knock on but gradually found his feet on attack. He made a few runs and one that stands out it’s his line break in the 62nd minute which eventually led to his try.
10 Handré Pollard – 9
The flyhalf produced a marvellous performance, he truly showed why he is one the best flyhalves in the World. Might have missed a couple of kicks from the tee but he made up for it contributing 31 points, including a brace of tries and five penalties kicks. Also had a hand in Mapimpi’s try.
9. Francois de Klerk – 6
The scrumhalf delivered yet another commanding performance. He was solid in defence however was handed a yellow card.
8. Duane Vermeulen – 7
The captain was brilliant under the high ball, he made sure the Springboks claimed possession from the kickoff which set a perfect platform for the side. He led the troops very well.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 6
Another hard-hitting, relentless 80 minutes for flank. On attack he made 22 meters and nine carries while his defence was a little flawed, missing four tackles of his 11 (not the stats we’re used when it comes to Du Toit). Nonetheless, think everybody is allowed to have an off day – even the tackling machine Du Toit.
6. Kwagga Smith – 5
Not very abrasive and failed to stand out, made a handful of carries but was eventually replaced by Francois Louw after 56 minutes.
5. Franco Mostert – 7
Showed tremendous power when it came to physical battles. His work on attack was just as impressive with his carries tally well into double digits. His defining line break also set up Handre Pollard’s second try.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 7
Another robust and very physical performance. He made all his tackles and on attack, he made solid runs, also made a break in the opening minutes which got the team side the Argentina half.
3. Trevor Nyakane – 7
Fuelled by his fellow front row, the prop was impressive in the scrum he bullied the Pumas’ pack and secured multiple penalties for the Boks. Certainly, made a good case for the No.3 jersey.
2. Mbongeni Mbonambi – 8
His selection over Malcolm Marx had the tongues wagging, however, the hooker showed how effective he can be. His line-out throwing was on point, while his strong carrying ability proved helpfull. The hooker also scored a try.
1. Tendai Mtawarira 7
Solid. The prop was a beast in the scrums and worked all around the field before being replaced by Steven Kitshoff after 45 minutes.
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx (45th minute) – 6
Lineout throw-ins have improved. Did not make his signature runs but was good.
17. Steven Kitshoff (45th minute) – 7
Was out to prove himself and he did. He scrummed well and just like the Mtawarir kept the pressure on Los Pumas pack.
18 Frans Malherbe (49th minute) – 5
Fairly okay performance, helped the scrum maintain its dominance, however, he missed two tackles.
19. Rudolph Snyman, (65 minutes) -N/A
Not enough time to be rated
20. Francois Louw, (56th minute) – 6
The flank is a menace a the breakdown. He made a crucial turnover, however a little bit too overeager and conceded two penalties.
21. Herschel Jantjies (70th minute) – N/A
Not enough time to be rated
22 Frans Steyn (65th minutes) – 6
The centre showed tremendous skills as he made a marvellous pick-up in the build-up of Cheslyn Kolbe’s try in the 67th minute. He can certainly do with more time ahead of the World Cup.
23 Jesse Kriel (58th minute) – 5
Made a noteworthy difference when he entered the field. He was looking for work as he made a few metres and two solid carries.
Comments on RugbyPass
🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
27 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
1 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusades , you can keep going.
1 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
27 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
27 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
27 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
27 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to comments