South Africa player ratings versus New Zealand

The Springboks’ World Cup opener was certainly not the result Rassie Erasmus wanted. South Africa started their World Cup campaign with a 23-13 defeat to the All Blacks on Saturday.

15. Willie le Roux - 4/10

It was certainly a performance below his standards.  The full-back was horrendous under the high ball and failed to prove a threat on attack, leaving much of the counter-attack responsibility in the hands of Cheslin Kolbe.

14. Cheslin Kolbe - 8

The standout performer in the Springboks team. His ability to read the game continues to carry the ineffective backline. The livewire wing instigated the Boks’ first try with a lethal line break and he had a few try-scoring opportunities, but mostly found himself alone without any support runners.

13. Lukhanyo Am - 5 

Showed some skills with ball in hand but was not very influential on the attack. He was replaced with Jesse Kriel just short of the hour mark.

12. Damian de Allende - 7 

Made a couple of strong runs and also managed to produce a few crucial tackles. On one or two occasions he was a little bit selfish but overall a good performance by the centre.

(Continue reading below...)

11. Makazole Mapimpi - 4

One of the team’s weakest members. His defence remains a very vulnerable aspect of his play and managed to escape a sanction for his tackle on Richie Mo’unga.

10. Handré Pollard - 5

Not the best of kicking displays by the pivot. He struggled in the first half – missing an easy penalty kick which shifted the momentum of the match. However, he tried to make up for in the second half with a drop goal. But overall the No10 was very below par. He certainly needs more responsibility to control the game and show his prowess.

9. Faf de Klerk - 5 

Over-utilised the box kicks, which most of the time failed to reach the target. In the second half, he made two snipping runs from the breakdown. However, the dreadful loose pass which Richie Mo’unga perfectly snapped up for the All Blacks first score summed up his performance.

8. Duane Vermeulen - 7

The No8 was an absolute beast, making powerful carries and having a massive impact on defence. His stats also included a couple of steals at the breakdown. He further produced two perfectly-timed tackles on Aaron Smith at the ruck.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit - 6

A very uncharacteristic performance by the flanker, even if the ITV TV commentator in the UK begged to differ (see above Tweet). He conceded two unforced penalties, but was more involved in the second half and scored the team’s only try.

6. Siya Kolisi - 5 

He left the field after just after 50 minutes, the pace of the game certainly catching the captain off-guard as he hasn’t played a full 80 minutes since injuring his leg about four months ago. He made some solid carries but wasn't very effective.

5. Franco Mostert - 8

One of the unsung heroes. He did a lot of the donkey work and showed how valuable he is the Springboks team making twelve tackles, nine carries and produced a stunning lineout steal on the South African 22.

4. Eben Etzebeth - 7 

Strong with his tackles, he only missed one and he was also very disciplined despite the intensity of the match.

3. Frans Malherbe - 6

The prop put Joe Moody under huge pressure during scrums. However, other facets of his game remained a little average and he were replaced after just 54 minutes of play.

2. Malcolm Marx - 6

The hooker was effective but certainly not spectacular. His lineout throws reached the intended target, which was encouraging.

1. Steven Kitshoff - 7

Just like fellow prop Malherbe, Kitshoff got the better of the New Zealand pack. He won the early the penalty which handed the Boks the 3-0 lead and he was constantly seeking work all over the park

Replacements:

16. Bongi Mbonambi - 5 (on for Marx, 60 mins)

Didn’t bring the energy expected.

17. Tendai Mtawarira - NR (on for Kitshoff, 67 mins)

Not enough time to be rated.

18. Trevor Nyakane - 6 (on for Malherbe, 54 mins)

Came on to continued the dominance in the scrums. Unfortunately, his campaign might be over as he left the field with an injury.

19. Rudolph Snyman - NR (on for Etzebeth, 69 mins)

Not enough to be rated

20. Francois Louw - 7 (on for Kolisi, 50 mins)

Tackled well and was a menace at the breakdown.

21. Herschel Jantjies - NR (on for de Klerk, 71 mins)

Not enough to be rated.

22. Frans Steyn - NR

Not used.

23. Jesse Kriel - 6 (on for Am, 54 mins)

Made a couple of decisive breaks and added much-needed physicality in midfield.

- rugby365.com

WATCH: Rassie Erasmus talks to the media following South Africa's loss in Yokohoma