Springbok player ratings - vs Wallabies
Debutant scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies scored two tries as South Africa beat Australia 35-17, in Johannesburg, the opening match of the Rugby Championship.
South Africa outscored Australia by five tries to two, for a bonus-point win.
Leezil Hendricks rates the Springbok players.
15 Warrick Gelant
Showed flashes of attacking skill, but often decided to kick the ball – which halted most of the team’s momentum. However, the fullback had a much better second half and impact on attack.
7/10
14 Sibusiso Nkosi
A decent performance from the Springbok wing. Made a crucial tackle on Bernard Foley on the Boks’ tryline and finished off a great team try in the second half.
7/10
13 Jesse Kriel
The Bulls centre was not in the game in the first half. He conceded a penalty, as he misjudged his line speed. Nonetheless, in the second half, he made decent runs and also had a hand in Nkosi’s try.
6/10
12 André Esterhuizen
Played a key part in the Springboks’ opening try. There were one or two occasions where his kicks went directly into touch and really placed his team under pressure, while his high tackle on Tom Banks – which resulted in a yellow card – did not do him any favours.
6/10
11 Makazole Mapimpi
A very quiet game for the Springbok wing. Didn’t get opportunities on the attack and his defence wasn’t any better, as he struggled with his man-on-man tackling.
5/10
10 Elton Jantjies
His experience was vital. His tactical kicks were spot on and had an awesome goal-kinking performance.
8/10
9 Herschel Jantjies
The No.9 made a dream debut. He delivered clean and crisp passes, his box kicks were a vital exit strategy. On attack, the scrumhalf was impressive, as he scored a brace of tries, while his support play made sure that Lodewyk de Jager scored a try. In defence, he was just as vital, making eight tackles.
9/10
8 Francois Louw
An amazing performance by the No.8. He carried very strongly and his vital steal at the breakdowns, one setting up the Springboks first try of the match, placed loads of pressure on the Wallaby loose trio.
9/10
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
When he puts on a Springbok jersey, he simply can’t put a foot wrong. On attack, he was difficult to bring down and his defence left most of the Wallabies players in pain. The flank made 23 metres and 15 tackles (he missed only one)
9/10
6 Rynhardt Elstadt
A fairly quiet start, but made a few decent runs and solid carries after the break. On defence, he missed a few tackles, but overall an okay game by the debutant who had the du Toit and Louw by his side.
6/10
5 Lodewyk de Jager
The line-outs were a problem area for the Boks. However, De Jager made sure he is of value at the scrums and also scored a try. For someone who only had a Currie Cup match as preparation, he certainly did very well.
7/10
4 Eben Etzebeth (captain)
The captain set the tone for the team’s performance. Led by example with big hits, solid carries (seven) and never missed a chance to partake in the action with his usual impeccable high workrate.
8/10
3 Trevor Nyakane
Was missing for large periods in the match. However, he did some tidy scrum work, a solid performance.
6/10
2 Bongi Mbonambi
The Springbok hooker was caught offside on a couple of occasions, but made up for it with his scrum. Should certainly work on the line-out throw-ins.
5/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira
He was powerful in the scrum before he left the field just short of 50 minutes. He also made a couple of strong carries.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Schalk Brits (on for Mbonambi, 53rd minute)
He brought some great energy upfront. Made three strong carries a and beat a couple of defenders.
6/10
17 Lizo Gqoboka (on for Mtawarira, 47th minute)
As soon as he set foot on the field the Boks had a scrum. The Bulls prop did well and along with his fellow front-rowers won a penalty for the Boks. He made a few carries and did well.
6/10
18 Vincent Koch (on for Nyakane, 53rd minute)
He put in a few good tackles and gave his pack a bit of extra power upfront.
5/10
19 Marvin Orie (on for De Jager, 67th minute)
Was not very influential when he took the field but managed to make a couple of metres.
4/10
20 Marcel Coetzee (on for Elstadt, 67th minute)
Made solid carries and in defence put in a couple of huge hits.
5/10
21 Cobus Reinach (on for H. Janjties, 67th minute)
Despite only being on the field for less than 15 minutes, the replacement picked up where his predecessor H Jantjes left. He made solid runs and scored the bonus-point try for the Boks.
6/10
22 Frans Steyn (on for Esterhuizen, 52nd minute)
Made big hit on Kurtley Beale, and injected some energy in the midfield. He also looked for worked and made six carries.
6/10
23 Dillyn Leyds
Not used.
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments