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Springboks player ratings vs All Blacks | Qatar Airways Cup
Springboks player ratings: Sound the alarm. Ring the bells. Tell your friends and neighbours. The Springboks are coming to France to win back their Rugby World Cup crown.
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This 35-7 win over the All Blacks in London was as dominant as they have been since their dismantling of England in the 2019 World Cup final. If they play like that in the coming months, no one will beat them. Just outstanding from front to back.
They made a very good New Zealand side look ordinary. Here are the Springboks player ratings:
15. Damian Willemse – 8
Jiggled this way and that and found space in a contest where there was little on offer. A more traditional full-back’s game where he covered the field and provided some assistance in the backline when called upon. Perhaps lacked the same penetration Willie le Roux might have offered if given the same amount of time on the ball, but a very handy display.
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
It was his speed in defence that earned him his try. With very little ball, he still showed some spark. Solid when asked to tackle as well.
13. Canan Moodie – 9
Well, that answers the question concerning his abilities at 13. Missed a few tackles on defence but played a key role in preventing the All Blacks from scoring in the corner at the end of the first half. Was unfortunate to have a blistering second-half try disallowed after stepping half the population of New Zealand on his way to the line. A wonder find for the Boks.
12. Andre Esterhuizen – 9
Immense. Largely used as a battering ram but he played his role to perfection. It isn’t every day someone runs over Jordie Barrett, but Esterhuizen did that as if it were routine. Made 62 metres from seven carries but also showed some deft touches when needed. He is in the form of his life.
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11. Makazole Mapimpi – 7
Like Arendse, was mostly confined to a spectator. When asked to get involved he did so like a man with a point to prove. Powerful runs and aggressive on defence. The bounce of the ball here, an extra metre to work with in the trams there, a little more accurate in the off-load elsewhere and he might have scored and assisted a try or two. Subbed for Cobus Reinach on 63 minutes.
10. Manie Libbok – 8
Answered some questions about his kicking with a perfect display from the tee. Ignited several show-stopping attacks with his trademark passing. Not his best game kicking out of hand, but then he has never claimed to be perfect.
9. Faf de Klerk – 8
His usual antagonistic self. Knew when to get involved and when to let his forwards power up the field. Contributed with some tidy defensive work and even helped steal a penalty. Cemented his status as the Boks’ leading nine.
1. Steven Kitshoff – 8
Another powerful show. Was erroneously penalised once in the scrum but otherwise helped establish dominance up front. Subbed for Ox Nche on 47 minutes.
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2. Malcolm Marx – 9
Now the Springboks’ top try-scoring forward. As brutal as you’d expect. Just a sublime rugby player at the peak of his powers. Replaced by Bongi Mbonambi on 47 minutes.
3. Frans Malherbe – 8
Mr Reliable delivered once again. What else can be said of this walking, hulking scrum machine that isn’t cooed by his adoring fanbase? Hooked as part of the bomb squad explosion on 47 minutes for Trevor Nyakane.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 9
The beating heart of the Springboks pack. He consumed anything in black that came near him. A menace in the lineout with some vital steals, and a vital cog in the maul both defensively and on offence. Possibly South Africa’s most important player. Subbed for Jean Kleyn on 47.
5. Franco Mostert – 9.5
A near-perfect performance in what was his best game in a Springboks jersey. Should have been awarded the player of the match gong. Stole the ball, won the ball, dominated the ball, was the focal point of so much that worked for South Africa. There were doubts about his name. Those were swept away here. Replaced on 47 by RG Snyman.
6. Siya Kolisi – 8
Strong carries and some lovely touches in the trams are what makes Kolisi one of the game’s leading flanks. Both traits were on show. Brilliant from the Boks captain. Hooked for Marco van Staden on 47.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 8
Was rightly shown yellow for a swinging arm to the face of Sam Cane but otherwise faultless. Catapulted out of the line when defending, this human torpedo was born to tackle ball-carriers.
8. Duane Vermeulen – 7
It wasn’t exactly a quiet evening, it’s just that he kept things simple and allowed others around him to shine. Secured the ball when he got his hefty frame over it.
REACTION: Nienaber on his 7/1 bomb squad bench and what beating the All Blacks by a record margin meant for South Africa. #Springboks #NZLvRSA #QatarCup #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/6fY2pgKOUS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 26, 2023
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi – 8
It speaks volumes that he assumed the captaincy duties when Kolisi left the field. He is a leader in this group and got the try he deserved. One of the world’s most improved players over the last cycle.
17. Ox Nche – 8
Once again maintained momentum when he entered the scene.
18. Trevor Nyakane – 8.5
The best prop on the field over the 80 minutes. Dynamic in the loose and indomitable at set-piece.
19. Jean Kleyn – 8.5
Won a penalty on the ground, stole New Zealand’s lineout and was a central figure in South Africa’s maul attack. Ticked every box.
20. RG Snyman – 8.5
Won the lineout that led to Mbonambi’s try but he did a lot more than that. Powered his way past would-be tacklers and ran with the ball as if it was the size of a cricket ball. A supreme athlete.
21. Marco van Staden – 7
Kept the pace up and never allowed the All Blacks’ pack to settle after the raft of changes.
22. Cobus Reinach – 7
Deployed on the wing and did his job with some hard runs.
23. Kwagga Smith – 8
Is he a forward? Is he a back? In truth, he is both. A hot-stepping, tough tackling, try-scoring beast.
Psdt arm not swinging, he lifted it to wrap, anything less would be shoulder first, describing it as swinging suggests intent to harm and poor journalism
I take your point on the terminology. It was swinging, as in it was swinging up as he tried to wrap and it was that momentum that clattered Cane.
Half of New Zealand ran over Jordie Barrett during super rugby
And yet another record for Foster and his team. A record defeat. Good timing too.
Yep. The springbok machine has been tuned to perfection, is purring along nicely and has plenty of spares in the shed. And it means business. Write us off at your peril . This team is on a mission.