Springboks player ratings vs Argentina | Rugby Championship
The Springboks ended their Rugby Championship with a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Los Pumas at Kings Park on Saturday – writes Leezil Hendricks.
But the win was not enough to secure the Rugby Championship title.
The Boks needed a bonus point and a 39-point plus win to clinch the trophy away from the All Blacks.
However, it was a big ask for Boks, who failed to execute their chances against a relentless Los Pumas side.
Check out how the Boks’ players rated!
15 Willie le Roux – 4
The fullback has been very influential through the season, however, the final Rugby Champs match was not the best performance from the experienced fullback. He struggled under the high ball and also had trouble in defence. Was left on the floor after try-scorer Juan Martin Gonzalez stepped his way around the Bok. He helped out with the kicking after Frans Steyn struggled to find the touchline.
What a step from Juan Martin Gonzalez ? #RSAvARG pic.twitter.com/3bRAe2hBOm
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 24, 2022
14 Canan Moodie – 6
A very quiet day for the wing. He was forced to put in some big hits, including a try-saving tackle on Argentina captain Julian Montoya in the 43rd minute – showing immense bravery and confidence.
13 Jesse Kriel – 4
The No.13 was basically absent in the first half of the game. He also conceded a penalty. He made two big hits in the second half and helped set up Kurt-Lee Arendse’s try. However overall not the best performance, really needs some more game time.
12 Damian de Allende – 6
Made some wayward passes which put his team under pressure. However, tried to get involved on the attack and made some strong abrasive carries beating six defenders. He also joined the pack at maul time.
11 Makazole Mapimpi – 4
Rarely got the ball in hand and was a very frustrating figure. He got involved in the closing minutes, however, it was a little too late to make any impact.
10 Francois Steyn – 5
Playing in first his first Springbok start as a playmaker since 2008, it was a cameo the 35-year-old would want to forget. He failed to find the touchline on a couple of occasions and was charged down in the opening minutes. Nonetheless, his kicking from the tee was absolutely sublime, even slotting over a 55m penalty.
9 Jaden Hendrikse – 6
There was nothing spectacular about his performance – he did the basics well. His delayed passes were not the most effective especially when the Boks were in the strike zone. Simply just lack energy. Nonetheless, his name will certainly be in the year-end squad.
8 Jasper Wiese – 9
An absolute powerhouse and growing in stature. He scored his first try for the Boks and thoroughly deserves it. The No.8 was really effective with his ball carrying, getting over the gain line with most of his carries. He made nine carries and 58 metres. Very unfortunate to be substituted after 48 minutes.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 6.5
The 2019 World Rugby player of the year is slowly hitting his strides. Not his personal best after missing last weekend, and made way for Kwagga Smith after 48 minutes.
6 Siya Kolisi – 7
He was hungry to perform at Kings Park and delivered a very commanding performance. He did really well in open play, scoring the Boks’ second try. He did concede two penalties, however, he put in a massive defensive display making 11 tackles missed one.
5 Lood de Jager – 7
It was an industrious performance by the lock. Making some solid runs with great carries, he also showed great hands with an offload to Pieter-Steph du Toit at the start of the match. His work at the line-outs never falters.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 6
Produced a very physical performance and made a crucial line-out steal. Unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet after he went over the tryline. The try was disallowed for offside. He had more bad luck in the second half when he was handed a controversial yellow card for what the referee deemed reckless play.
3 Frans Malherbe – 6
Very quiet when it came to open play, but made up for it with some solid scrums, winning an early penalty for the Boks.
2 Malcolm Marx – 7
It was not the best from the hooker, however, he still managed to add that physicality that is so vital for the Boks. He made some crucial steals, including the one inside the Boks’ 22. His line-out throws were not flawless.
1 Steven Kitshoff – 7
The prop was a rock at the scrum and made a couple of crucial tackles. He also put his body on the line with some strong carries against the powerful Los Pumas pack
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Mbongeni Mbonambi – NA
Not enough time to be rated
17 Ox Nche – 5
His work around the rucks was very good, while his effort at the scrums was valuable.
18 Vincent Koch – 5
Part of the Bomb squad, he continued to dominate the scrums with Mbonambi and Nche and was rewarded the scrum penalty.
19 Franco Mostert – NA
Not enough time to be rate.
20 Duane Vermeulen – 6.5
With a lot to prove, the No.8 made an immediate impact with his big run, while his work at the maul handed South Africa the penalty try. Vermeulen made 45m and four carries in his stint
21 Kwagga Smith – 6
He immediately injected some valuable energy, making a crucial steal inside his own 22. However, his overeagerness at the breakdown proved costly as he also conceded a penalty.
22 Faf de Klerk – 3
Copped a yellow card, which saw the Boks go down to 13 men.
23 Kurt-Lee Arendse – 5
First game since serving his four-week ban. Took up the role as scrumhalf with De Klerk in the sin bin, and he scored a try during his cameo.
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments