Player ratings: Glorious Green and Gold
OPINION: South Africa overpowered England 32-12 with a brutally effective forward display to win their third World Cup in Yokohama on Saturday.
The Springboks’ victory was built on a colossal display by their powerhouse pack, which allowed flyhalf Handre Pollard to kick six penalties – before Makazole Mapimpi’s 66th-minute try – the first the Springboks had scored in a World Cup Final – and another from fit-again fellow flyer Cheslin Kolbe put the result beyond doubt.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players!
15 Willie le Roux:
Looked to create space with ball in hand and had one great break. His judgement let him down on occasion, but was great in the air.
7/10
14 Cheslin Kolbe:
Was quiet, by his standards, in the first half – when the ball just didn’t flow his way. However, the pocket rocket exploded in the second half and showed his true value with a sublime try to put the seal on a great win.
8/10
13 Lukhanyo Am:
Two great runs in the first half and more of the same after the break. Made 60 metres from five runs and made all but two of his tackles.
7/10
12 Damian de Allende:
Continued his amazing form – strong carries and some big hits on defence. Just on 60 metres from his 12 runs.
8/10
11 Makazole Mapimpi:
Great chasing and collecting kicks, winning some invaluable possession. Made 48 metres from seven runs and made all his tackles.
7/10
10 Handré Pollard:
Had one or two mistakes – missing a couple of penalties, including his first. Recovered to produce some admirable plays, chasing and collecting kicks and making some good runs. Also took on the line on occasion.
7/10
9 Francois de Klerk:
His defensive work was invaluable. His service was crisp. Missed a few tackles, but a valuable contribution.
7/10
8 Duane Vermeulen:
Won a penalty turnover early in the game and solid on defence – made seven tackles. Forty-nine metres from 11 carries.
9/10
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit:
Mountain of work on defence, with 11 tackles. Also a few strong carries.
7/10
6 Siya Kolisi (captain):
Made a couple of errors of judgement early in the game, but produced a sound performance that include 12 tackles – some very dominant.
8/10
5 Lodewyk de Jager:
Left the field injured at the end of the first quarter. Four strong carries and five tackles in his cameo.
6/10
4 Eben Etzebeth:
Great contesting in the line-outs, a handful of carries and 13 tackles – great contributing to the Bok dominance.
8/10
3 Frans Malherbe:
Some dominance in the scrums and a high workrate – with 10 tackles.
7/10
2 Mbongeni Mbonambi:
He only lasted 20-odd minutes, before leaving the field with concussion. One run and three tackles in his stay.
5/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira:
Some powerful scrumming in the opening exchanges – winning crucial penalties. Not many carries, but eight tackles.
8/10
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx (on for Mbonambi, 22nd minute):
Did the basics well. A couple of strong carries and made 10 tackles.
7/10
17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 45th minute):
Made a massive impact from the first scrum after he came on. Had one poor scrum, but bounced straight back.
7/10
18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe, 45th minute):
Demolished his Saracens teammate Mako Vunipola in the scrums and then struggled against Joe Marler in one scrum. Made eight tackles.
7/10
19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 60th minute):
Managed a few strong carries and a handful of strong carries. Kept the Bok momentum going in dominant forward performance.
7/10
20 Franco Mostert (on for De Jager, 22nd minute):
Showed why he was a starting lock for so long, with his enormous workrate – a handful of carries and a match-high 17 tackles.
8/10
21 Francois Louw (on for Kolisi, 64th minute):
Did not let his team down, but had limited time on the field – making only a handful of tackles.
6/10
22 Herschel Jantjies (on for De Klerk, 77th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Frans Steyn (on for Le Roux, 69th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.
@rugby365com
