Springboks player ratings vs Argentina | 2023 RWC Warm-ups
Springboks player ratings: They called this a B-team. That didn’t quite tell the full story. It would have been more accurate to call this an audition team as most members of the group were still vying for a place in the 33-man World Cup squad. Some put their hands up and forced Jacques Nienaber to ink their names on his team sheet. Others flopped which means the Boks’ coaching staff have some serious questions to answer before Tuesday’s big reveal.
The backline sizzled while the pack – much-changed from the regular cohort – failed to establish gainline dominance. That in itself is a bonus for Nienaber. If his usual heavy hitters can supplement the razzamatazz of the hotsteppers out wide and in the centre, he might have a serious team on his hands.
15. Damian Willemse – 8
Underlined his status as one of the most enterprising South African backs for a generation. Elusive in the tight exchanges with outstanding vision, as exemplified by his cross-field finder of Canan Moodie and the quick hands for Mapimpi’s score. Some neat touches and a mighty boot. He’ll need to maintain that form over the next seven weeks.
14. Canan Moodie – 9
Secured his ticket to France with this performance. Quick feet and strong legs saw him beat three defenders in just a few first half minutes. Tidy hands saw him grab Manie Libbok’s cross-field kick to touch down the Boks’ second score. Capped things off with two telling tackles. The first was a humongous hit that resulted in a penalty with the other forced as a knock-on inside Argentina’s half. Another outstanding show from the 20-year-old.
13. Lukhanyo Am – 5
For 15 minutes it felt like he’d never left. The injury was a distant memory. All talk of dips in form disappeared in the ether. Those trademark soft touches, the shifts in weight, those hands, those glorious, delicate hands. And then he got nailed in a tackle and was shunted backwards and suddenly the vultures circled once again. When he failed to come on after the restart, replaced by Jesse Kriel who immediately helped set up a try, we began to wonder if we’d ever seen the old Am again
12. Andre Esterhuizen – 7
Nabbed a high ball from the air. One of a few players who advanced his cause. Very strong with ball in hand, immense in defence when called upon, 45 metres from six carries tells the story.
11. Makazole Mapimpi – 7
Largely anonymous for the first half, he was on hand when needed. Burst through a half gap to score South Africa’s first try early in the second half. He might not dazzle like other South African wingers, but he puts the ball down over the line. But is it enough for a World Cup spot?
10. Manie Libbok – 7
A difficult game to score. When he was good, he was sublime. Delicious popped passes and no-look give-and-gos were a hallmark of his display. His cross-field kick to Moodie was majestic. Watch only his highlights and you’ll be naming your first born after him. But when he was poor, he was dreadful. Wasted 11 points from the tee before the hour minute mark though found his range by the end. Still plenty to ponder for Jacques Nienaber and company.
9. Cobus Reinach – 6
Solid without being spectacular. Hard to see him nudge further up the pecking order after this game. Will still be sweating on a place in the World Cup squad. The fitness of Grant Williams will likely determine his fate. Replaced by Herschel Jantjies on 56 minutes.
1. Trevor Nykakane – 8
Mighty in the scrum and ever present in the loose. Reminded a few who’d forgotten that he’s a world class operator. Made way for Gerhard Steenkamp on 62 minutes.
2. Bongi Mbonambi – 7
A strong performance for the match-day skipper. Found his jumpers at the line-out and almost wormed his way for a first half try when he splintered from a driving maul. Also handled the on-field politics with distinction and never missed a tackle. Off for Joseph Dweba on 52 minutes.
3. Thomas du Toit – 7
Made more metres than any other prop on the field. Scrummed well too to boost his chances of featuring in a game that counts in the World Cup. Replaced by Vincent Koch on 52 minutes.
4. Jean Kleyn – 8
It felt as if he was competing for a place at the World Cup with Marvin Orie, and if that is true then he has squeezed ahead of his second-row rival. Had a perfect record from his nine tackle attempts while carrying 12 times for 31 metres – more than any other Springbok. Has given Nienaber a serious headache with this performance.
5. Marvin Orie – 6
Didn’t do much wrong, apart from coughing up a cynical penalty reverse in the first half. But, given the question marks over his inclusion in the World Cup squad, and given the fact that his rival started alongside him in the second row, he’ll be lying awake wondering if he’d done enough. The fact that he was replaced by Jean-Luc du Preez on 48 minutes while Kleyn remained on the pitch will only heighten his anxiety.
6. Deon Fourie – 7
Missed a straightforward tackle to allow Gonzalo Bertranou through for Argentina’s try. But other than that howler on the line, he was mostly good. Stole a few crucial turnovers on the ground and beat three defenders with some leg pumping runs from short range.
7. Franco Mostert – 6
Largely anonymous until the 35th when he nailed Santiago Carreras off the ball and was shown a yellow card. Not the sharpest game from Mr Versatile.
8. Jasper Wiese – 5
Some typically meaty carries but coughed up two penalties in the first half. Should have scored when he was helped up (or at least shown greater awareness of the rules by not mindlessly charging for the line). Struggled to assert gainline dominance which is his forte. Subbed for Evan Roos on 57 minutes.
16. Joseph Dweba – 7
Industrious when he came on. Won’t take part in the World Cup but Nienaber will be pleased with his depth at hooker.
17. Gerhard Steenkamp – 6
Missed two tackles from four attempts, which will annoy him. Still, a handy debut from the prop who was fishing when he got the call to join the national team.
18. Vincent Koch – 6
Performed his job, as he always does when called upon. Made 10 metres from three carries and held the scrum.
19. Jean-Luc du Preez – 6
An important steal inside Argentina territory. It’s a shame the Springboks have a conveyor belt of talent in the back row. He’d have won plenty more Test caps if he had a different passport.
20. Evan Roos – 7
Outshone Wiese once he entered the scene. Probably not enough to steal a World Cup berth.
21. Herschel Jantjies – 7
Good to see him back on the field in a Springbok jersey. Added fix to the line.
22. Jesse Kriel – 8
An instant impact with a lovely pass under pressure to set Willemse loose in the build up to Mapimpi’s try. Arguably South Africa’s most underrated player showed why he has the faith of the men that matter most.
23. Kurt-Lee Arendse – N/A
Unused sub.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 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
4 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 Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments