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Springboks player ratings vs Romania | Rugby World Cup 2023
By Daniel Gallan
Springboks player ratings: A hard one to judge, really. They were obviously the better side and the 76-0 scoreline would suggest everyone gets a 10. But the opposition should be factored in and there were some below par displays. Still, a great day out and the world champions go marching on.
15 - Willie le Roux - 9
The try assist machine continues. Also showed some clean heels for a geezer. A complete game.
14 - Grant Williams - 8
A few mazy runs showed off his pace, and he certainly went looking for work, played some neat touches out wide and beat 10 defenders across the match that included a brace.
13 - Canan Moodie - 5
Should have played a pass for Hendrikse inside him after a lovely break. Otherwise relatively quiet.
12 - Andre Esterhuizen - 8
Some particularly meaty carries through the middle with almost all of them ending with him crashing over the gainline.
11 - Makazole Mapimpi - 9
Made almost 200 metres with ball in hand, scored three tries and was always looking to get involved. Is it enough to start against Ireland?
10 - Damian Willemse - 7.5
Missed his first shot at goal and played a couple of aimless kicks. Involved in a few try assists and also notched one himself. Some fizzing passes and a few sidesteps, most notably for his disallowed try , but it was a performance that didn’t exactly scream 'control'. Replaced by Faf de Klerk on 56 minutes.
9 - Cobus Reinach - 9
His blitz hat-trick stole the show in the first half but it was his control at the base of the ruck, especially with his box kicking, that will please the Boks coaches most. Subbed for Jaden Hendrikse five minutes into the second half.
1 - Ox Nche - 9
Carried with great intensity and scrummed like a machine. Won’t get many easier assignments as the competition goes on. Subbed for Frans Malherbe on the hour mark.
2 - Bongi Mbonambi - 8
Secure at the line-out and fulfilled his role as captain well. Replaced by Deon Fourie at half time.
3 - Trevor Nyakane - 8
Scrummed like a menace and was active throughout the match. Tougher assignments await. Subbed for Steven Kitshoff on the hour.
4 - Jean Kleyn - 8
Great awareness to pounce on the loose ball for one of Reinach’s tries. Also a giant in the line-out and around the park.
5 - Marvin Orie - 8
A titan in the line-out. Still lacking that grunt of the other Boks but a decent hit out. Replaced by RG Snyman at half time.
6 - Marco van Staden - 7
Unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half. Also lent his hand in the line-out throws.
7 - Kwagga Smith - 8
A menace at the breakdown. Stole numerous balls on the ground and contributed when it got loose.
8 - Duane Vermeulen - 8
Secure. Integral at the restart. Stood over the ball when called upon to do so. Just a colossal player
16 - Deon Fourie - 8
Scored a try but it was his accuracy at the line-out that will be the thing he remembers most. Maybe the Boks won’t miss Malcolm Marx as much as they thought?
17 - Steven Kitshoff - 8
A wonderful run down the tram almost ended with him scoring the best prop try of all time.
18 - Frans Malherbe - 8
The scrum pillar did as he always does. Not a shabby day’s work when he wasn’t expected to play.
19 - RG Snyman - 8
A totem in the line-out and the restart. A gift for the South African coaches.
20 - Jasper Wiese - N/A
21 - Jaden Hendrikse - 7
Some lovely snipes around the fringe. Helped by a broken game.
22 - Faf de Klerk - 8
Maybe he can play 10. Some wonderful short passes against the grain to set up runners on the angle. Will have to face tougher defences than that but proved what he can do on the front foot.
23 - Jesse Kriel - N/A
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Latest Comments
No doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
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