Springboks player ratings vs Australia | 2025 Rugby Championship

Springboks player ratings: A shocking defeat for the Springboks in the opening game of the 2025 Rugby Championship, going down 38-22 to the Wallabies at Ellis Park.

The home side burst out of the blocks with 22 points in under 20 minutes but lost control after the break, with Manie Libbok among the poorest performers on a bruising night.

1. Ox Nché – 5
A couple of strong scrums early on but nowhere near his best. Looked out of gas before half-time.

2. Malcolm Marx – 6
Lineout throwing wasn’t its usual standard, but he made up for it with two turnovers, one leading to three points. Carried hard and supported well, though gave away too many penalties.

3. Wilco Louw – 4
Solid enough in contact but well below the level expected. Five tackles and a few carries, but little impact.

Fixture

Rugby Championship

South Africa

22 - 38

Full-time

Australia

All Stats and Data

4. Eben Etzebeth – 7
One of the few standouts. Fifteen tackles and constant involvement as he tried to rouse his side. A defiant figure in defeat.

5. Lood de Jager – 7
Excellent first half, heavily involved in key passages. Linked play nicely with some sharp handling to add tempo.

6. Marco van Staden – 5
Looked lively in the first 20, then forced off for a concussion check. Returned but never rediscovered his edge, conceding penalties and missing tackles.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7
Surgical in his work: assisted Esterhuizen’s try and twice spoiled Wallaby mauls near the line. A consistent nuisance.

8. Siya Kolisi – 8
Led from the front with a thunderous try and trademark carries. His departure coincided with South Africa losing their grip on the contest.

9. Grant Williams – 7
Managed the game smartly in the opening half, with quick distribution underpinning the Boks’ early tries. Faded as Australia grew into it.

10. Manie Libbok – 4
Excellent first half, marshalling a 15-point lead. But after the break it unravelled: one intercepted pass cost seven points and his defence fell apart.

Points Flow Chart

Australia win +16

Time in lead

62

Mins in lead

18

78%

% Of Game In Lead

23%

36%

Possession Last 10 min

64%

0

Points Last 10 min

5

11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 6
Unstoppable in full flow, with two line breaks, a try and a smart intercept. But the second half was error-strewn, with costly drops.

12. Andre Esterhuizen – 7
Powered over for his 12th-minute try and was a handful throughout. Carried hard and combined neatly with Kriel.

13. Jesse Kriel – 6
Linked well with Esterhuizen in attack but discipline let him down after the break with two penalties conceded at the ruck.

14. Edwill van der Merwe – 5
Showed flashes with a line break and five defenders beaten, but couldn’t make a lasting impression.

15. Aphelele Fassi – 5
Covered the Wallabies’ kicking game well in the first half but offered little attacking spark once the tide turned.

Replacements

16. Bongi Mbonambi – 4
17. Boan Venter – N/A
18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – 4
Off the pace and directly involved in two Wallaby tries.
19. Franco Mostert – 5
20. Kwagga Smith – 5
21. Cobus Reinach – 5
22. Canan Moodie – 4
23. Damian Willemse – 5
Came on with the game slipping away and couldn’t inject any spark.