Player Ratings: Much better Boks
South Africa headed into this match under loads scrutinies after their 0-57 defeat to New Zealand in Albany.
However, the Springboks showed tremendous character and scored three tries in the second-half to ease the wave of criticism for now.
Rugbypass writer Jamie Wall gives us a New Zealand perspective on the Boks' performance, as he rates the South African players!
15 Andries Coetzee
Did well to diffuse the few high kicks the All Blacks sent his way, and hit the line a few times.
6/10
14 Dillyn Leyds
Had his hands full marking Ioane, and spent most of the game tackling.
6/10
13 Jesse Kriel
Again, a solid defensive effort. Try saving tackle on Ioane in the first half.
7/10
12 Jan Serfontein
Very lively game, with a number of great touches with ball in hand. Contributed well to the Boks’ overall attacking shape.
8/10
11 Courtnall Skosan
Had one nice touch close to the line in the second half, but didn’t get many opportunities.
6/10
10 Elton Jantjies
Got better as the game went on, however did have a kick charged down for a crucial try.
6/10
9 Ross Cronje
Probably kicked a bit too much in the first half, but marshalled his troops well and scored a good try. Was cancelled out when he chucked a pass straight to Ioane to intercept, though.
6/10
8 Francois Louw
Had plenty of carries and put in a big shift on defence.
7/10
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Lots of question marks over his move to the side of the scrum, but he acquitted himself well.
7/10
6 Siya Kolisi
Didn’t get as involved as one would’ve hoped, but still part of a solid loose forward effort.
6/10
5 Lodewyk de Jager
One of his better games in a Bok jersey, he showed up with ball in hand numerous times.
7/10
4 Eben Etzebeth
A real captain’s knock. Clearly stung by the time these teams last played, the big man threw himself into everything.
8/10
3 Ruan Dreyer
Part of a ding-dong battle up front. Good charges with ball in hand.
7/10
2 Malcolm Marx
The Boks’ best. Very effective on defence, scoring a number of important turnovers. Made SBW’s life hell, and scored late. One of the great test performances.
10/10
1 Steven Kitshoff
Prominent, and not just because of his hair colour. Did a lot of work with ball in hand and was powerful in close.
9/10
Replacements:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
Did not play
17 Trevor Nyakane (on for Kitshoff, 77th min)
Not on long enough
18 Wilco Louw (on for Dreyer, 50th min)
Not on long enough
19 Franco Mostert (on for De Jager, 54th min)
Got stuck in with ball in hand.
6/10
20 Jean-Luc du Preez (on for Kolisi, 54th min)
Great appearance to score a try, did everything that was needed of him off the bench.
7/10
21 Rudy Paige
Did not feature
22 Handré Pollard (on for Jantjies, 54th min)
Good little cameo to set up du Preez’s try.
6/10
23 Damian de Allende (on for Serfontein, 61st min)
It’s a moot point whether that was a red card, a penalty on its own was the difference between winning and losing the game.
0/10
By Jamie Wall, Rugbypass
@JamieWall2
@rugby365com
