PLAYER RATINGS: Beyond embarrassing

OPINION: South Africa slipped further into the mire of mediocrity, as they lost to a very poor Australian team in Brisbane on Saturday.

Two weeks ago coach Rassie Erasmus called the loss to Argentina in Mendoza ’embarrassing’.

The 18-23 reverse Down Under was way beyond that.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Willie le Roux:
Hot and cold – more often cold, with some really bad, unforced errors
3/10

14 Makazole Mapimpi:
In the modern game, a wing should not be hanging out wide, waiting for his teammates to create opportunities for him.
4/10

13 Jesse Kriel:
A handful of impressive tackles, but no impact with the ball in hand. Something is seriously amiss in the midfield.
4/10

12 Damian de Allende:
At least he showed some desire. Carried the ball up strongly and made plenty of tackles. Just not connecting with his fellow midfielder.
6/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi:
No doubt he is a threat with the ball in hand, but the rest of his game is of a club standard.
4/10

10 Elton Jantjies:
Some good work on defence. His playmaking was sound at times. However, the wet conditions again did not suit his game.
5/10

9 Faf de Klerk:
Hot and cold. Some great defending and also some poor execution of his box kicks – to go with a few silly penalties. Almost tempted to say the good was just a bit better than the bad.
5/10

* Ratings continue below video…

8 Warren Whiteley:
Does so much of the dirty work – covering up for his teammates’ mistakes. Carried the ball often and his tackle count was into double figures – maintaining his spot as the competition’s most productive and most effective defender.
7/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit:
He is certainly the Boks’ most effective loose forward and blindside flank may just be his best position. He showed more desire and passion that most of his teammates.
8/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain):
Some really impressive runs and solid on defence. Unfortunately not as effective as the other loose forwards.
6/10

5 Franco Mostert:
Another of the players in Green and Gold that does the donkey work – a member of the unsung heroes club. Made a match-high 16 tackles.
7/10

4 Eben Etzebeth:’
Solid on the restarts and won crucial intercept near his tryline midway through the second half. However, he blows hot and cold and his workrate on defence was poor.
5/10

3 Frans Malherbe:
His workrate on defence was good and he was powerful in the scrums. However, his hands let him down at times and his workrate outside the set pieces was poor.
5/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi:
Shocking line-out throw that gifted the Wallabies a very soft try – that after two. other wonky throws and a number of slipped tackles. Was not a surprise the coach replaced him before halftime.
2/10

1 Steven Kitshoff:
Started well, with a huge workrate and dome strong tackles. However, conceded a few penalties and his workrate dropped.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx (on for Mbonambi, 35th min):
His line-out throwing remains a concern, although it improved as the match wore on. Can’t be faulted on defence and his work away from the set pieces also worth a mention.
5/10

17 Tendai Mtawarira (on for Kitshoff, 58th min):
Conceded a penalty with his first touch of the ball and then another at a scrum. Came good in the scrums as the second half wore on, but his workrate was poor.
4/10

18 Wilco Louw (on for Malherbe, 58th min):
Another player who had no impact – apart from his scrumming. Poor workrate.
4/10

19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 61st min):
Not sure what he found funny in the game, but the only comedy was the way he performed. He did not make a single tackle in 20 minutes of play and conceded a silly penalty.
3/10

20 Francois Louw (on for Whiteley, 62nd minute):
No impact whatsoever. Did not make a single tackle. Does he still have the desire to play for his country?
3/10

21 Embrose Papier:
Not used.

22 Handré Pollard (on for Jantjies, 65th min):
Made three passes, one kick and one tackle. No impact.
4/10

23 Cheslin Kolbe (on for Mapimpi, 34th min):
Made a huge blunder on defence in the early stages of the second half. He was also found out on a couple of other occasions. A debut he would like to forget.
4/10

@rugby365com

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