Springboks player ratings vs Argentina | 2021 Rugby Championship
Springboks player ratings: South Africa showed why they remain the world’s top-ranked team, beating Argentina 32-12 in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.
Flawless it was not.
However, scoring three tries without reply means they are in the running to successfully defend the crown they won in 2019 – before COVID-19 tournament last year’s tournament into a Tri-Nations.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players:
15 Damian Willemse – 5
It was not his best day at the office – with a handling error, conceding a turnover with selfish play and then conceding a penalty for playing an opponent in the air. Although he eventually settled down, it was decidedly average.
14 Sibusiso Nkosi- 5
The ball did not flow his way, but he looked for work and chased hard. Also missed several tackles.
13 Jesse Kriel – 6
He did not get many chances with the ball in hand in a game where kicking was the dominant factor. Did manage to beat one defender in his four carries and made all but one of his tackles.
12 Frans Steyn – 6
Carried with purpose and made some good metres at times. Was generally good on defence, had one monster touch finder and won a turnover. However, – goal-kicking not good, as he missing both his shots at goal.
11 Aphelele Fassi – 7
Had a few handy runs, making 30-odd metres with four runs, beating two defenders and made two clean breaks. Was also very good in the air, although his defence requires some work.
10 Elton Jantjies – 6
His game management was from the top shelve and one sublime cross-field kick set up the Aphelele Fassi try. His defence was general great and while he made the odd error, it was a applaudable performance.
9 Cobus Reinach – 7
Scored the opening try when he picked up a stray pass and sprinted more than 60 metres. Gave good service from the base and his out-of-hand kicking was also VERY good value to the team. Missed a few tackles, but also won a great turnover.
No.8 Jasper Wiese – 8
Not flawless, but without doubt his best performance in the Green and Gold – earning him our Man of the Match award. He had some strong carries and made good metres – 40-odd from 12 carries. Made seven tackles and was solid on the restarts.
7 Kwagga Smith – 7
Worked hard on defence, making a match-high 21 tackles without slipping any. He conceded penalty at the breakdown early in the second half.
6 Siyamthanda Kolisi – 6
There can be no doubt that his form has improved as the year progressed. Made nine tackles and won a turnover. Missed just one tackle and conceded one penalty.
5 Lood de Jager – 7
Carried six times for little reward, but made 19 tackles, won five line-outs and stole one on the opposition throw. Missed just two tackles.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 6
Another industrious performance by the lock, who had a handful of carries for little reward. However, he made 10 tackles without slipping any and even chased and regathered a high bomb that set up the play resulting in the Fassi try.
3 Wilco Louw – 6
Exerted some great pressure in the scrums and made plenty of tackles. However, he also conceded a couple of silly offside penalties.
2 Joseph Dweba – 6
He may not have got any rewards for his handful of carries, but he stayed busy and won a great penalty turnover. Made most of his tackles.
How good was this thump from Damian McKenzie? ? #AllBlacks #NZLvAUShttps://t.co/mXuUlR1osz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2021
1 Ox Nché – 6
Hard-working on defence, taking his tackle count into double figures – slipping just one. Was also very solid in the scrums and had a couple of decent carries.
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx – 5
Not his best day at the office. Started with a tray throw and then cost his team a try when he went crawling along the ground with the ball in hand.
17 Trevor Nyakane – 5
Solid in the scrums, but otherwise very quiet. Not the impact the coach would have wanted.
18 Vincent Koch – 5
Mad all his tackles, but conceded scrum penalty and made no impact with the ball in hand.
If Ian Foster was looking for a superlative performance from some of his charges, he sure got it. #NZLvAUS #AllBlackshttps://t.co/L64XGtIuBj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 14, 2021
19 Marvin Orie – NA
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Marco van Staden – 6
Made all his tackles and had a few decent carries. One of the more industrious replacements.
21 Dan du Preez – 6
Had two strong carries, made all his tackles and worked hard off the ball.
22 Jaden Hendrikse – NA
Try on debut and conceded an obstruction penalty, but not enough time to be rated.
23 Morné Steyn – NA
Not enough time to be rated.
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA 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.
25 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments