Player ratings: Faf flair does the job

OPINION: It was two of South Africa’s European-based players – Francois de Klerk and Duane Vermeulen – had the biggest impact in a narrow 42-39 win over England on Saturday.

Coming back from 21 points down at the end of the first quarter, the crucial plays were by De Klerk and Vermeulen, both recalled for the first time since 2016.

And the showed just how valuable they can be for their country at the World Cup next year.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Willie le Roux:
Not perfect, but looked keen and showed his attacking prowess – scoring a great try and making plenty of metres with ball in hand. Made all his tackles.
6/10

14 Sibusiso Nkosi:
Very dangerous on attack – great grubber to score his first try. Also a great run to collect inside pass for his second try.
7/10

13 Lukhanyo Am:
Exposed on defence and too easily sucked in the early stages. His ball control was also not up to par. Once he settled down settled down he looked threatening on attack.
6/10

12 Damian de Allende:
Too easily handed off in the build-up England’s first try, but was strong with ball in hand and improved on defence.
6/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi:
Exposed on defence early on, but bounced back and produced a great inside pass for Nkosi’s second try. Some impressive runs and a good try.
6/10

10 Handré Pollard:
Defence questionable, but quickly settled down and directed play well. His goal-kicking needs work.
6/10

9 Francois de Klerk:
Great work to expose England defence and score Boks’ first try. His kicking game was clinical and he made great decisions. Some crucial tackles to set up turnovers.
9/10

8 Duane Vermeulen:
Important turnover won early in the match and continued working hard to win more penalties and turnovers for his team. Made plenty of metres with ball in hand and was solid on defence.
8/10

7 Jean-Luc du Preez:
His carries were not very effective and his workrate on defence was poor. Discipline also needs work.
5/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain):
Did well to calm his team down when things looked to go pearshaped in that opening quarter. Made some decent metres with ball in hand and made most of his tackles.
7/10

5 Franco Mostert:
One of the unsung heroes, doing the hard work. Had a few strong carries and – along with fellow lock Rudolph Snyman – topped the tackle count.
7/10

4 Rudolph Snyman:
Showed his running skills in a 50-metres second-half dash that put England under pressure. Crucial line-out steal late in the match to save game for Boks.
7/10

3 Wilco Louw:
Penalised in first scrum and had a very poor workrate.
4/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi:
His carries were relatively ineffective, but made his tackles and found his jumpers.
6/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
Some strong carries and solid scrumming. Steady, rather than spectacular.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Armand van der Merwe (replaced Mbonambi, 58th minute):
Not many chances with ball in hand, but made all his tackles and found his jumpers.
6/10

17 Steven Kitshoff (replaced Mtawarira in 48th min):
Made a massive impact in the scrums and won a crucial turnover at the breakdown.
7/10

18 Thomas du Toit (replaced Louw in 48th min):
Massive impact in scrums, but not very effective with his carries and slipped a couple of tackles.
5/10

19 Pieter-Steph du Toit (replaced Du Preez in 50th minute):
Worked very hard on defence and a few carries, with little profit.
6/10

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (replaced Kolisi, 72nd minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Ivan van Zyl (replaced De Klerk in 73rd minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Elton Jantjies (replaced De Allende, 74th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Warrick Gelant (on for Le Roux, 64th minute):
Largely anonymous.
5/10

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