Springboks player ratings vs Tonga | Rugby World Cup 2023
Springboks player ratings: South Africa have one muscled leg in the quarterfinals after a seven-try, 49-18 win over a spirited Tonga side that landed a few blows of their own.
It was the forwards who once again came to the fore for the Springboks but star quality in the backline meant sustained pressure turned into points for the reigning champions.
15 – Willie le Roux – 7
Showed great strength to score a try when power, rather than acumen, was needed. Barring one tricky moment where he seemed to have butter all over his fingers, he was secure in the back field while showing some creative play when joining the line.
14 – Grant Williams – 7
Spent most of the first half chasing balls and providing cover and defence, but performed both jobs well. When he got the chance to gallop he showed off his pace. A solid game for the scrum-half-turned-winger.
13 – Canan Moodie – 8
Scored a fortuitous try but he made his own luck by punching when others seemed to stand still following a bounce off Vincent Koch’s shoulder. When moved to wing he produced some blistering moments on attack and was also dependable on defence.
12 – Andre Esterhuizen – 8
Immense in midfield, it was often his meaty carries that provided front foot ball for South Africa. His 54 metres made were the most by any player on the park
11 – Makazole Mapimpi – 6
Brought a directness out wide with some carries but left the field before the half hour for Jesse Kriel when he copped a nasty blow to the head by Augustine Pulu. He looked very groggy shortly after and word drifted up to the press box that he might have incurred a fracture to his cheek.
10 – Handre Pollard – 8
Kicked all four shots at goal and was also tactically astute when kicking out of hand. Carried to the line on occasion and showed physicality on defence. A perfect welcome-back hit-out. Subbed for Manie Libbok on 50 mins.
9 – Cobus Reinach – 9
Made a strong case to start in more important matches in weeks to come. His line-speed when defending around the fringe is unrivalled. It was that pace that saw him score after a quick tap-and-go. Not his best from the boot but what he brings more than outweighs what he doesn’t. Made way for Jaden Hendrikse on 50 minutes.
1 – Ox Nche – 7
Strong on defence and also got involved in important carries when things were tight in the first half. Scrummed well enough. Replaced by Steven Kitshoff around the hour mark.
2 – Deon Fourie – 9
A brilliant performance. Accurate when throwing to the line, industrious in the loose and an all round menace either side of the ball. Possibly his best performance in a Springboks shirt. Rewarded with a rolling maul try.
3 – Vincent Koch – 7
Another solid performance from the often forgotten man in the front row. Replaced by Trevor Nyakane on 44 minutes.
4 – Eben Etzebeth – 7
Everywhere around the fringe. A nightmare in close quarters and proved he has one of the sharpest rugby minds by pinching a ball that only he and the referee knew was out the back of the ruck. An impressive 12 tackles and a full 80 minutes means he can rest easy this week.
5 – Marvin Orie – 9
Almost certainly his best show in national colours. Stood up physically, making a South Africa high of 13 tackles, and was a totem in the line-out. Hooked for Franco Mostert just after the hour.
6 – Siya Kolisi – 7
A relatively quiet performance in his 50th cap as Springboks captain. Still, he made 12 tackles and carried well when asked to do so. Made way for Marco van Staden just before the hour.
7 – Duane Vermeulen – 7
Big hits and a physical presence over the ball. A typically solid effort without much mobility around the fringe. Proved his worth but also showed that he is not a number seven. That he played all 80 minutes is a bonus, though.
8 – Jasper Wiese – 8
Strong carries again. A wrecking ball. It would be good to see him used in more subtle ways. Then again a sledgehammer plays a very specific role and there are few more impactful than Wiese. Made way for the more mobile Kwagga Smith on 50 minutes,.
16 – Marco van Staden – 7
Scored a try to cap off a slick move. Also accurate at the line-out. Proved his depth.
17- Steven Kitshoff – 7
Solid without being spectacular.
18 – Trevor Nyakane – 7
Maintained momentum when he came on.
19 – Franco Mostert – 6
Made six tackles without missing one. Added nous in the tight five.
20 – Kwagga Smith – 8
Stole two important turnovers shortly after coming on the field. Scored a deserving try at the death.
21- Jaden Hendrikse – 7
Kept the ball fizzing as the game opened up.
22 – Manie Libbok – 8
Kicked every shot and delivered some delicious passes. He has a part to play in this World Cup title defence.
23 – Jesse Kriel – 7
Read Tonga’s defence as soon as he came on the field. There simply is no better defender in South Africa’s backline. Made some great runs but often chose the wrong option after finding the gap.
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