Springboks player ratings vs Wallabies | Rugby Championship
The Springboks bounced back from their defeat in Adelaide with a morale-boosting 24-8 win over the Wallabies in Sydney.
Jacques Nienaber’s side showed that they are capable of playing a more exciting branding of rugby. It was there for all to see at the Sydney Football Ground where they outscored their opponents by four tries to one.
However, there is still a lot to work on ahead of their next match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
How did the Springboks rate in their victory?
15. Willie le Roux – 6.5/10
The love-hate relationship with Willie continues. He was guilty of getting his kick charged down when there was an overlap in 26th minute. He also gave away a penalty in the 37th minute at a ruck when Boks were in the strike zone. However, he did produce the final passes in two of South Africa’s second-half tries. His pass for Makazole Mapimpi’s try was a thing of beauty.
14. Canan Moodie – 7.5
Every single Boks fan must have jumped up and down when he rose above Marika Koroibete to gather a high ball before running away for a sensational try in the 39th minute. Overall, it was a solid performance by the debutant and it looks like he has a bright future in the green and gold.
13. Jesse Kriel – 4
He looked like the odd one out in that backline. His positioning on attack was not the best and you just felt nervous every time the ball went his way. He needs some more game time to build his confidence.
12. Damian de Allende – 6.5
His defence in the midfield was outstanding. However, his attacking game was not up to scratch. He was guilty of kicking the ball away early in the game when his team had an overlap out wide and his knock-on from a goal-line restart in the 19th minute was a bit embarrassing. He produced some strong carries and he scored a try in the ninth minute.
11. Makazole Mapimpi – 5.5
He was missing in action in the first half and seemed more focused on chirping the opposition and the officials. He scored a great try in the 71st minute, but he needs to watch his attitude. It did cost him a yellow card in the end.
10. Damian Willemse – 7
It was a mixed bag from the playmaker. His kicking game was not the best, but he showed some nice vision on attack and he produced some neat touches with the ball in hand. He was given the man-of-the-match award by the commentators, so he didn’t do a lot wrong out there.
9. Jaden Hendrikse – 6.5
He produced a perfectly weighted kick for Canan Moodie’s try. There was nothing too spectacular about his performance, but he did the basics well and it played a big role in the Springboks’ win.
8. Jasper Wiese – 8
A colossus in open play, especially with ball in hand. He made the most carries and he made more metres than any another forward. He was also a machine on defence. He is definitely South Africa’s top No.8 at the moment.
7. Franco Mostert – 7
It was another industrious performance in open play from the big man. He was solid on defence and he got his team over the gain line with some good carries. He was also in a good position out wide to score that try in the 43rd minute.
6. Siya Kolisi – 8.5
It was probably his best performance of the Test season so far. He was magnificent at the breakdown – he won three turnovers in crucial positions on the field for his team. The captain was also powerful in open play. He made plenty of metres with his carries and he beat three defenders as well.
5. Lood de Jager – 7
He was the main target man in the line-outs and he did his job well. He also won a turnover and tackled like a man possessed in open play.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 7
He deserves a 10 just for all the future nightmares Allan Alaalatoa is going to have after that brief scuffle late in the game. Once again he brought plenty of aggression in open play. He produced a neat offload for Damian de Allende’s try and he applied plenty of pressure when it was the Wallabies’ turn to throw in at the line-out.
3. Frans Malherbe – 7
Another strong performance in the scrums. He was on the field for about 65 minutes, which must be close to a record for him. he hardly put a foot wrong in open play.
2. Malcolm Marx – 7
His line-out throwing was impeccable apart from one overthrow. He just gave the Springboks an extra physical edge in tight exchanges, especially with some powerful tackles. The Wallabies also had to use a lot of energy to stop him at the breakdowns.
1. Steven Kitshoff – 7
It was a huge shift from the prop. He was on the field for over 70 minutes. He was an immovable object in the scrums and also applied some pressure around the rucks. The big man also put his body on the line with some aggressive carries.
Replacements:
16. Deon Fourie – N/A
On for Siyamthanda Kolisi, 70th minute. Not enough time to be rated.
17. Ox Nche – N/A
On for Steven Kitshoff, 73rd minute. Not enough time to be rated.
18. Trevor Nyakane – N/A
On for Frans Malherbe 65th minute. Not enough time to be rated.
19. Kwagga Smith – 6.5
On for Jasper Wiese, 60th min. He just brings plenty of energy when he comes onto the field. He made several big tackles and kept the Wallabies on their toes when he had ball in hand.
20. Duane Vermeulen – 6
On for Jasper Wiese, 60th min. Nothing much to write home about. However, he brought the physicality when it was needed.
21. Jacobus Reinach – N/A
On for Jaden Hendrikse, 73rd minute. Not enough time to be rated
22. Francois Steyn – N/A
On for Jesse Kriel, 70th minute. Not enough time to be rated
23. Warrick Gelant – N/A
Not used.
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe 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 👍
3 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 comments