Player ratings: Pure Bok Burger
They are called IMPACT players and it is with good reason. It was the replacements who helped South Africa secure a bonus-point 28-10 win over Australia.
The Rugby Championship may well be beyond their grasp, but this Springbok team – which outscored the Wallabies by four tries to one – is beginning to build some impressive momentum.
They say that good teams have great benches and can put you away in the final 10 minutes.
With 12 minutes on the clock the Wallabies held a two-point lead. Then the Boks brought on the bench and in the end there was daylight between the teams.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players!
15 Willie le Roux:
Showed some sublime touches and was a rock at the back, but his hands let him down too often – maybe he was trying too hard.
6/10
14 Cornal Hendricks:
Few chances and was reduced to a defensive role in the first half – well marked when he did get the ball. Then showed just how dangerous he can be late in the second half.
7/10
13 Jan Serfontein:
Slipped a few tackles, but more than made up for it with ball in hand – including that crucial late break that sealed the deal.
7/10
12 Jean de Villiers (captain):
Made mistakes on defence and his hands also let him down at crucial times. However, he made amends with some impressive off-the-ball work and a try double that took the Boks clear.
7/10
11 Bryan Habana:
Got mauled in a tackle and sent to the blood-bin – had a couple of decent runs, but again rushed out the line too soon on occasion replaced at half-time.
5/10
10 Handré Pollard:
You have to look at his missed tackles, and there were too many, as well as his charged-down and missed kicks. But at least he took on the Wallaby defence and kept them honest. Still a forgettable day at the office.
4/10
9 Francois Hougaard:
Some brilliant cover defence, including a couple of try-saving tackles. His service was swift and was one of his best games for years.
8/10
8 Duane Vermeulen:
Powerful surge early on, made a big statement and was a massive presence over the ball – including a couple of crucial turnovers. Made all his tackles and won a couple of line-outs.
9/10
7 Teboho Mohoje:
Showed his inclusion was merited. Made plenty of carries, made 12 tackles in less than an hour on the field (although he also slipped one) and even won a line-out.
7/10
6 Marcell Coetzee:
Worked hard at the breakdown and made an enormous number of tackles (into double figures). Also carried the ball 14 times. One word: Workrate!
7/10
5 Victor Matfield:
Showed there is plenty of life left in those 37-year-old legs. Made 12 tackles (slipped a couple), had 11 carries (not all effective), managed to keep[ the ball alive at crucial stages and won all his line-outs.
8/10
4 Eben Etzebeth:
His real value will not be found in statistics alone – although those are pretty impressive. Nine carries, 12 tackles and four line-outs.
7/10
3 Jannie du Plessis:
Another of the old guard who silenced some critics – probably not all of them. If your tackle count goes into double figures you have worked hard, although he slipped a couple.
6/10
2 Adriaan Strauss:
His work on defence was invaluable – most notably the turnovers he won. While he did not always make it over the advantage line with his carries, he was instrumental in keeping the ball alive for the Boks.
7/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira:
The cry of Beast rung out a few times, but was a bit quieter than his fellow front row forwards. Still, not a bad day at the office.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Bismarck du Plessis (on for Strauss, 58th min):
Kept the momentum going in the closing stages and slipped just one tackle.
6/10
17 Trevor Nyakane (on for Mtawarira, 69th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Marcel van der Merwe (on for J du Plessis, 65th min):
Steady rather than spectacular, but did the basics well and ensured the Boks maintained momentum.
6/10
19 Bakkies Botha (on for Vermeulen, 61st min):
Provided some much needed muscle in the place of an injured Vermeulen.
6/10
20 Schalk Burger (on for Mohoje, 54th min):
The energy he brought to the Springboks was marked and measurable. There was a crucial turnover in the last five minutes and some powerful carries.
9/10
21 Cobus Reinach (on for Hougaard, 77th min):
Not enough time to be rated, but showed real promise.
22 Pat Lambie (on for Pollard, 58th min):
Missed a sitter that would have put the Boks in the lead at a crucial stage. Then bounced back with a drop-goal, and an match-sealing try. Brought some spark to the backs.
8/10
23 JP Pietersen (on for Habana, 26th to 38th mins, and then at 41st min):
Solid on defence and made some crucial metres with ball in hand.
6/10
