Player ratings: No spring in the Bok
There were plenty of mistakes on offer, some weird decisions and just an all-round poor showing from nearly all the players. There were a few standout moments, some comical ones too, though the performance basically summed up the torrid time the Springboks had at the tournament.
It is understandable that the bodies are tired but surely putting in a display that your nation will be proud is what was needed. The players looked as if they were simply going through the motions.
Tauriq Ebrahim rates the Springbok players!
15 Willie le Roux
Ran laterally which closed down the space for the guys outside of him and his kicking out of hand was once again woeful.
2/10
14 JP Pietersen
Other than scoring the opening try, he was basically a jersey on the field – nothing more.
4/10
13 Jesse Kriel
Some good line breaks but his defence was that of a sieve, or better yet, a tap without a washer.
4/10
12 Damian de Allende
Becoming a little predictable with his inside runs but asserted himself on defence.
5/10
11 Bryan Habana
His over-eagerness to grab the try-scoring record negatively affected every aspect of his game.
2/10
10 Handré Pollard
Was steady until he produced the worst kick for touch in the history of the game.
3/10
9 Ruan Pienaar
Did you expect anything more than the usual boring, slow service? I didn't.
3/10
8 Duane Vermeulen
A massive presence in all aspects of the game and was one of those rare gems in a dreary match.
7/10
7 Schalk Burger
What is there to say when a player falls to the ground without being tackled?
3/10
6 Francois Louw
Anytime someone plays with stitches in his forehead, you know he is willing to give it his all, however, he failed to do it consistently enough.
5/10
5 Victor Matfield (captain)
His decision making as a captain was confusing to say the least but he definitely put his body on the line in the contact area.
7/10
4 Eben Etzebeth
Capped off a powerful performance with a well-finished score.
7/10
3 Frans Malherbe
Continued his good form and has, without a doubt, made the No.3 jersey his.
7/10
2 Bismarck du Plessis
Showed the value he can add when he does the fundamentals well, however, his attacking game was nowhere to be seen.
4/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira
No surprise at being substituted at half-time as he quite literally did nothing on the park.
2/10
Replacements:
16 Adriaan Strauss (on for B du Plessis, 48 mins)
Built on the good platform with a steady showing.
5/10
17 Trevor Nyakane (on for Mtawarira, 40 mins)
All his work was defensive and can certainly hold his head high.
5/10
18 Jannie du Plessis (on for Malherbe, 60 mins)
Why he even went to the World Cup will remain a mystery.
0/10
19 Lodewyk de Jager (on for Matfield, 62 mins)
The usual hard stuff from him.
5/10
20 Willem Alberts (on for Burger, 53 mins)
Certainly picked up where Burger left off and offered the same value.
3/10
21 Rudy Paige (on for Pienaar, 77 mins)
In a match like this, surely he should have been given at least 40 minutes, instead of three. Not enough time to be rated.
22 Pat Lambie (on for le Roux, 64 mins)
Made no impact but no fault of his as he was given scraps, in terms of time on the park.
3/10
23 Jan Serfontein (on for Habana, 67 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
