PLAYER RATINGS: THORmeulen

OPINION: South Africa managed to ignore the niggle and off-the-ball stuff to take an unassailable two-nil lead in their three-Test series against England.

Coming back from being 0-12 down in as many minutes – the second successive week they came from behind – the Springboks won 23-12.

Again it was the European-based players that stood out and made the biggest contributions.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Willie le Roux:
Very quiet first half, but really came into his own after the break. Rock solid under the high ball and made a couple of try-saving tackles.
7/10

14 Sibusiso Nkosi:
Penalised a few times and then missed a tackle. A couple of great runs, with an awesome kick-chase early in second half.
6/10

13 Lukhanyo Am:
Strong on defence and made a couple of great spot tackles. A few good runs, with the odd error thrown in.
6/10

12 Damian de Allende:
Made plenty of metres with ball in hand, but also guilty of selfish play and poor ball control.
6/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi:
His defensive frailties were again exposed. But he made a couple of decent spot-tackles and won a turnover in the second half.
6/10

Handré Pollard:
Crucial 60-metre penalty just before half-time, as Boks came back to take a half-time lead. Again directed play well.
7/10

9 Francois de Klerk:
Not flawless, but his decision making was again good, He also had some great touch-finders and tactical kicking was also good.
8/10

8 Duane Vermeulen:
Immensely powerful and scored a crucial try, the Boks’ first – to get back into the game, after they were 0-12 down. Won a crucial turnover late in the first half and was a monster with ball in hand.
9/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit:
Plenty of carries for little reward, but was a monster on defence – his tackle count into double digits. Missed a few tackles, but good value.
7/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain):
Badly exposed on defence in the first half. Had a much better second half and won a crucial turnover near England line.
6/10

5 Franco Mostert:
Great workrate and one of the unsung heroes – doing the hard work other players shirked.
7/10

4 Rudolph Snyman:
Over-enthusiastic and gave away some silly penalties. Not his best game.
5/10

3 Frans Malherbe:
Got mauled in first scrum and missed a crucial tackle in the build-up to England’s first try. Workrate was poor.
5/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi:
Great workrate, but missed a few tackles. His set-play work was of the highest standard.
6/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
Powerful carries and amazing workrate. Plenty of carry metres.
7/10

* Ratings continue below the podcast!

Replacements:

16 Armand van der Merwe (on for Mbonambi, 50th min):
His workrate was great won a couple of crucial turnovers.
6/10

17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 45th min):
Massive influence from the outset. In one of his first scrums Boks earned a penalty try. Also had some impressive carries.
7/10

18 Thomas du Toit (on for Malherbe, 45th minute):
Massive influence from the outset. In one of his first scrums Boks earned a penalty try. His workrate needs to improve.
6/10

19 Jean-Luc du Preez (on for Snyman, 55th min):
Tried hard, but struggling with the pace of the international game.
5/10

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Kolisi, 65th min):
Had his moments, but struggled to get into the game.
5/10

21 Ivan van Zyl (on for De Klerk, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Jesse Kriel (on for Am, 59th min):
Made some good run metres, but exposed on defence.
5/10

23 Warrick Gelant:
Not used.

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