Springboks player ratings vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship
South Africa started their Rugby Championship campaign with a commanding 26-10 win over a hapless New Zealand in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Physically dominating the All Blacks from the outset, the Springboks slowly built a lead and the final margin is indeed an accurate reflection of the game.
The Boks showed some enterprise on attack, with more variation in their game.
However, it was their kicking game that really troubled the visitors at the Mbombela stadium.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players!
15 Damian Willemse – 7
Showed great variation in his game – running the first couple of times and when All Black defence came up, looked for space behind them with the boot. He was also solid at the back, but got a bit too cheeky and earned a warning from referee for ‘pushing’ players.
14 Kurt-lee Arendse – 7
Showed his great aerial skills. Started with a brilliant kick-chase that resulted in the first try and continued to dominate in the air. Dealt very well with Caleb Clarke on defence, but spoilt it with a poor tackle in the air that resulted in a red card and being taken from the field on a mobile stretcher.
13 Lukhanyo Am – 7
Sublime off-load for the first try and made two really impressive runs. Won a couple of great penalty turnovers, making all but two of his tackles.
12 Damian de Allende – 6
Conceded a silly penalty for encroaching on the advantage line before the ball was out of the scrums, but carried manfully and made seven tackles.
11 Makazole Mapimpi – 6
Sublime kick and collect that won a penalty for SA and chasing hard all game, but missed a couple of tackles and conceded two turnovers.
10 Handre Pollard – 7
Missing touch with a penalty, but overall a much-improved performance that included a great goal-kicking display and a crucial drop-goal.
9 Francois De Klerk – NA
Shot out of the line twice in the opening 40 seconds, the second time his head making contact with the knee of Caleb Clarke – knocking him out cold and ending his match.
8 Jasper Wiese – 7
Plenty of impressive carries and solid on defence – making A MATCH-HIGH 14 tackles. hE gave away a silly breakdown penalty, but overall it was the kind of performance that could cement his spot in the Bok starting XV.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 6
His impressive work rate off the ball and on defence, with a 90 percent tackle completion percentage.
6 Siya Kolisi – 8
Great breakdown work, attending rucks at a higher rate than usual. At times he played more like a blindside flank. His tackle count – with a 100 percent completion rate – also went into double figures.
5 Lood de Jager – 7
Worked very hard on defence and was a tower of strength in the set pieces. Did lose the ball in contact early in the second half, but a commendable performance.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 6
Quiet by his usual high standards – with very little reward for his eight carries and a couple of missed tackles. There was a great line-out steal.
3 Frans Malherbe – 5
Solid in the set pieces, but his work rate needs improving. Made only a handful of tackles and a couple of ineffective carries.
2 Malcolm Marx – 9
Had another powerful game to mark his 50th cap, even though it was not flawless – a deserved Man of the Match outing. His ball control may not always have been clinical enough at times and also failed to find his jumper early on. However, he made up for it by making all his tackles and winning five breakdown penalties.
Springboks bringing their physical dominance to the game, but still plenty of time for the All Blacks to get back into it ? pic.twitter.com/alUbdNkKLQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 6, 2022
1 Trevor Nyakane – 6
Started with a powerful scrum that won a penalty and won a couple more set-piece penalties. However, then conceded a scrum penalty later. Made six tackles and was subbed in the 39th minute after he clearly ran out of puff.
Replacements:
16 Mbongeni Mbonambi – 5
Some good endeavour, but missed as many tackles as he made. Not the way to win back a starting spot.
17 Steven Kitshoff – 7
Won a couple of turnovers in the second half, made eight tackles and stood solid in the set pieces.
18 Vincent Koch – 6
Looked to bring some energy in his stint, missing just one tackle and had a couple of determined carries.
19 Salmaan Moerat – NA
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Franco Mostert – 6
Working hard off the ball, getting into good defensive positions and working hard at the breakdown.
21 Kwagga Smith – 8
Very busy on defence, making some great cover tackles. Also a couple of impressive carries. A real impact off the bench.
22 Jaden Hendrikse – 8
Varied his game well, asking different questions. His basics were rock solid and his kicks out of hand also from the top shelve.
23 Willie le Roux – NA
Sneaked onto the field in the last minute and his only action was to score the try that sealed the game by showing great anticipation. However, not enough time to be rated.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments