Springbok Player Ratings - vs All Blacks

South Africa conceded a 17-point lead to lose 30-32 to New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. It was a game of what-ifs and it means the two teams are one-all (66-all) in their head-to-head contests in 2018.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players:

15 Willie le Roux
He had a nervous start, but quickly got into his stride and produced some great kick-chasing. He produced some great defence and was also solid under the high ball.
7/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe
Not in the game in the first half and had a few decent runs after the break. Made his tackles.
6/10

13 Jesse Kriel
Had a couple of decent runs and scored the first try with a powerful surge – beating a couple of defenders on the way. He also won a great penalty at the breakdown,
7/10

12 Damian de Allende
Carried strongly and tested the All Black defence. However, he also ran too diagonally at times, taking away the space of his teammates and missed too many tackles.
5/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi
He was targeted by the All Blacks and failed to make a single tackle.
5/10

10 Handré Pollard
His tactical appreciation was spot on and had an awesome goal-kicking, including a 57-metre penalty.
6/10

9 Francois de Klerk
Great early pressure on Aaron Smith that won a penalty. His tactical kicking was much improved, his service was crisp and he was a real livewire. Was it a mistake replacing him at a crucial stage?
8/10

8 Francois Louw
Carried very strongly, but conceded a crucial penalty late in the first half. His workrate without the ball was poor.
6/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Some really powerful runs and a massive workload – especially at the breakdown. By his usual standards, he had a quiet day on defence.
7/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
Made some poor decisions in the first half and kicked the ball away when the Boks were on attack and dominating. However, got better and made a crucial break just on the 50-minute mark to set up Damian de Allende try. Biggest tackle count among the Boks.
7/10

5 Franco Mostert
Produced his usual high workrate and made a handful of decent carries. Added value in the line-outs, with a great steal.
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
Gave away some silly penalties, then redeemed himself with some hard work and a great line-out steal.
6/10

3 Frans Malherbe
Solid in the scrums, but offered little else in the game.
5/10

2 Malcolm Marx
Strong carries and won some crucial penalties at the breakdown. Had a massive workrate and his line-out throwing was much improved.
9/10

1 Steven Kitshoff
Also strong in the scrums, but conceded a silly penalty and missed a couple of tackles.
5/10

Replacements

16 Bongi Mbonambi (on for Marx, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Tendai Mtawarira (on for Kitshoff, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe, 60th min):
Conceded a penalty in his first scrum and that resulted in a try. Solid in the scrums and made his tackles.
5/10

19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 63rd min):
Didn’t add massive value, other than doing the basics.
5/10

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Louw, 70th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Embrose Papier (on for De Klerk, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Elton Jantjies (on for De Allende, 78th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Damian Willemse (on for Le Roux, 67th min):
Not enough time to be rated.