Player ratings: Mission accomplished

OPINION: South Africa retained their unbeaten record for 2019 with a scrappy 24-18 win over a willing Argentina in Pretoria on Saturday.

The teams scored two tries each, with the boot of flyhalf Elton Jantjies the difference – a conversion and four penalties against a conversion by Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, who also kicked a penalty while replacement Benjamin Urdapilleta kicked the other penalty for the Argentineans.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Warrick Gelant:
Not many opportunities in a stop-start first half, but a well-timed pass in Sibusiso Nkosi try. Had a kick charged down early in the second half and his clearance kicks were poor.
5/10

14 Sibusiso Nkosi:
Had limited opportunities, but showed his finishing ability when he bust through a couple of defenders to score the first try of the match. He topped that with beating several defenders on his way to the second try.
8/10

13 Jesse Kriel:
Had his moments, including a couple of decent runs. Was not flawless and missed two tackles, but also won a crucial turnover.
6/10

12 André Esterhuizen:
Big and powerful and used his size to good effect. Made some valuable metres.
6/10

11 Dillyn Leyds:
Limited opportunities in the first half, but a better workrate after the break. Will remain a fringe player.
5/10

10 Elton Jantjies:
Showed his skill, with a superb flat pass in Sibusiso Nkosi’s first try. Some great out-of-hand kicking and fielding of high kicks. Landed crucial penalties for the win.
7/10

9 Cobus Reinach:
Did his reputation more harm than good – especially with his two-step intercept pass for the Guido Petti try and the crucial penalty he conceded that resulted in Pablo Matera try.
3/10

8 Marcell Coetzee:
Was good value for his short stint on the field, which included a turnover and a couple of tackles. Left the field with concussion in 17th minute.
6/10

7 Rynhardt Elstadt:
His biggest contribution was on defence – making 16 tackles. Add to that a handful of carries and you find he was very productive.
7/10

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi:
Satisfactory return to Test rugby – a few decent carries and made all his tackles
6/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager:
Not his best game in Green and Gold, but still one of the most productive players – 12 tackles, five carries and plenty of ruck cleans.
6/10

4 Rudolph Snyman:
Produced his usual skilful performance, with some decent carries and great offloads. Also had a line-out steal. But his work on defence was lacking.
6/10

3 Vincent Koch:
Made plenty of carries, although with very few metres. Made 10 tackles and three turnovers for a very productive day.
7/10

2 Schalk Brits (captain):
Showed his full array of skills, especially at line-out time. Made the second-most tackles in the Boks team – 13.
7/10

1 Thomas du Toit:
A few strong carries, but under pressure in the scrums. His work on defence was disappointing.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Siyabonga Ntubeni (on for Brits, 71st minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Lizo Gqoboka (on for Du Toit, 47th minute):
Brought stability to a rickety Springbok scrum and made all his tackles.
6/10

18 Wilco Louw (on for Koch, 78th min):
Not enough time to be limited.

19 Marvin Orie (on for De Jager, 68th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Marco van Staden (on for Kolisi, 53rd minute):
Made the most of his time with three carries, six tackles and one crucial turnover.
6/10

21 Albertus Smith (on for Coetzee, 17th minute):
His workrate and boundless energy, could not make up for the high number of missed tackles.
5/10

22 Francois de Klerk (on for Reinach, 70th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Frans Steyn (n for Esterhuizen, 55th minute):
Made all his tackles and produced a couple of decent offloads.
6/10

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