Springboks player ratings vs All Blacks | Rugby World Cup 2023
South Africa are world champions for a record fourth time. It wasn’t pretty. There were large chunks of the match when it looked like they’d bottled a golden opportunity. But they got there in the end as worthy winners of the grandest prize with a 12-11 win over the All Blacks.
Here’s how the players rated:
15 – Damian Willemse – 8
Mostly secure in the back field, he also led the game for metres made with ball in hand. Kicked well, except when he made a weak attempt at a drop-goal that dribbled under the poles. Sharp footwork, as always, and had a hand when stepping up at second receiver on occasion. Subbed for Wille le Roux after the hour mark.
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8
Produced a try saving tackle when he managed to wrestle down a galloping Ardie Savea in the corner. Missed a chance to score a try himself, but he only got in that position thanks to smart work and electric heals. A worthy champion and a sensational find for Springboks rugby.
13 – Jesse Kriel – 7.5
Once again exploded out the line to become the lead gunner in the rush defence. It’s his positional awareness that is so commendable.
12 – Damian de Allende – 7
Tidy distribution and busting carries. This wasn’t a blockbuster show but it ticked enough boxes.
11 – Cheslin Kolbe – 8
Linked up well when joining the line at second receiver and was a threat whenever he touched the ball/. Chased high kicks like a terrier off a lead at the park. And once he got there, he gave much larger players a tough time in the air.
10 – Handre Pollard – 8.5
A solid performance. Robust in the tackle and also when he took it to the line himself. Ice cold when slotting his shots at goal. Distributed well with some zipping passes but it was his control that shone when it mattered most.
9 – Faf de Klerk – 9
Controlled the rhythm of the match throughout the first half. Struggled a touch in the second when the tempo shifted and New Zealand began to gain the ascendency, but still kept his composure when things got messy. Gets a bonus point for unfurling an old school dive-pass.
1 – Steven Kitshoff – 8
Played his part around the fringe, producing a great steal that gave Pollard a shot at goal and also cleared out with a couple thundering hits at the ruck. Replaced by Ox Nche on 52 minutes.
2 – Bongi Mbonambi – N/A
Left the field after copping a cruel blow from Shannon Frizell as the New Zealand flank crunched his knee after entering from the side of a ruck. After the week he had, it was hard not to feel for him. Replaced after just four minutes for Deon Fourie.
3 – Frans Malherbe – 7
Some strong carries and solid in the scrum. Under pressure at set-piece but held his own with authority, as he has throughout the tournament. Subbed for Trevor Nyakane on 66 minutes.
4 – Eben Etzebeth – 8
Huge carries in tight spaces and a constant nuisance at New Zealand’s line-out. An important presence at close quarters and helped save a try when he managed to knock the ball out of Ardie Savea’s hand moments before New Zealand dotted down the corner. With seven forwards on the bench he was never going to go the distance and replaced by Jean Kleyn on 58 minutes.
5 – Franco Mostert – 7
Yet again made every single tackle without missing one. A perfect record of 16 out of 16. Added great grunt to South Africa’s engine. Ran out of gas and was subbed for RG Snyman on 52 minutes.
6 – Siya Kolisi – 6
Was instrumental in leading the energy on defence when play broke open, and contributed in the wider channels on attack. He loses points for copping a yellow card for a high shot, and for not passing when a kind bounce of the ball created space down the right. Had he done so South Africa would haves surely scored and likely have put the game to bed early in the second half.
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit – 10
Simply immense. If there was ever a player who was hell bent on leaving the jersey in a better place than he found it, it was this man. Made 14 tackles in the first half alone and added another 14 in the second. Clattered anything that came his way wearing a black jersey and contributed with some lovely touches in the trams. A monstrous performance from one of the greatest Springboks of all time.
8 – Duane Vermeulen – 8
In what could well be his final match – nothing is confirmed at the time of writing – he produced the goods. Seemed to attract the ball on restarts and ranging long kicks as if he had a gravitational pull of his own. And once he had the ball in his iron grip, he charged into contact, almost always busting over the gainline. Switched for the extra fizz of Kwagga Smith on 58 minutes.
Replacements
16 – Deon Fourie – 7
Would have scored an eight or higher had he found his radar at the line-out. Still, he was a menace on the floor and provided some important tackles, not least when Frizzell stormed through a half gap and threatened to score. Deserves immense credit for playing 76 minutes of a World Cup final against the All Blacks in his second position.
17 – Ox Nche – 8
Couldn’t replicate his scrum dominance from the semi-finals but proved he’s more than just a battering ram in the set-piece. Was excellent in the loose with stiff carries and blitz defence.
18 – Trevor Nyakane – 7
Stood firm under pressure at the death in what was the most important scrum of his life. After missing out on the World Cup through injury four years ago, it was heartwarming to see him celebrate at the final whistle.
19 – Jean Kleyn – 8
Kept the furnace burning and provided heft around the fringe when the game threatened to break away from South Africa.
20 – RG Snyman – 7
Brought another dimension to South Africa’s line-out, even though he wasn’t found by Fourie. Kept hammering the tight spaces.
21 – Kwagga Smith – 8
An almighty steal as he ripped the ball from Will Jordan just as New Zealand’s machine was spluttering into life. A wonderful asset to the Springboks’ cause.
22 – Jasper Wiese – N/A
Made all four tackles that he was assigned. Added grunt over the ball.
23 – Willie le Roux – 7
Sparked a few backline moves but was on the pitch to provide stability.
Comments on RugbyPass
This article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
1 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
18 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
18 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to comments