Player Ratings: New Zealand
OPINION: The Springboks held on for a hard-fought 33-26 win to level the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series after two tests, but it wasn’t a comfortable victory.
New Zealand actually outscored South Africa four tries to three and will leave Cape Town frustrated after a host of self-inflicted errors and seven points left on the field. The All Blacks created enough opportunities to win, but poor execution at key moments proved costly.
Here is our we rated the All Blacks players:
15 Damian McKenzie – 7
Dangerous whenever he found space and constantly threatened with ball in hand. Produced a superb dink through after breaking the line in midfield for Will Jordan, before finishing clinically for New Zealand’s second try. South Africa contained him for long spells, but he still delivered moments of class.
14 Will Jordan – 7.5
A mixed but influential performance. Missed Jesse Kriel’s opening try alongside Ardie Savea and had an early offload go astray, but responded with a game-high number of tackle busts. Sidestepped Kriel and Damian de Allende to create Cam Roigard’s try and was a constant threat whenever he attacked broken play.
13 Quinn Tupaea – 5.5
Didn’t quite find the same rhythm with Jordie Barrett that worked so well at Ellis Park. Looked slightly out of sync in attack and was forced into scrambling defence on several occasions.
12 Jordie Barrett – 6
Below the high standards he set in Johannesburg. His passing lacked its usual precision, and he was occasionally indecisive with ball in hand, although he still offered defensive leadership.
11 Leroy Carter – 7.5
Made the most of his opportunity. Excellent under the high ball, produced a clever touch finder early in the second half and finished brilliantly down the touchline, slipping through Manie Libbok’s tackle with impressive Sevens-style footwork.
10 Ruben Love – 6
Busy without dominating proceedings. Managed the game steadily and worked well under pressure but didn’t have the same influence on the attack as New Zealand would have hoped.
9 Cam Roigard – 7.5
Still the spark of the All Blacks backline. Read South Africa’s defence well, finished off Jordan’s break for the opening try and kept the tempo high around the breakdown, although support around him wasn’t always clinical.
8 Ardie Savea (captain) – 8
Led from the front once again. Made the initial break from a lineout move to send McKenzie away and crossed for his 33rd Test try – his fifth against South Africa. Continues to be New Zealand’s heartbeat.
7 Luke Jacobson – 6.5
Another industrious shift. Worked tirelessly around the breakdown and tackled relentlessly, even if he wasn’t as prominent in open play as he was at Ellis Park.
6 Simon Parker – 6.5
Physical throughout and kept a close eye on Jasper Wiese. Finished the first half with a powerful carry and brought plenty of defensive intensity.
5 Tupou Vaa’i – 6
A performance of highs and lows. Gifted South Africa three points with an offside mistake in front of his own posts but also showed lovely soft hands with a couple of skilful passes in traffic.
4 Fabian Holland – 6
Influential defensively but walked a fine line. Lost an attacking lineout close to the Springbok tryline, produced an important tackle on Cobus Reinach and survived a few tackles that bordered on being too high.
3 Tyrel Lomax – 5.5
Held his own early but came under pressure when South Africa’s replacement front row arrived. Overextended in one crucial scrum as the Springboks gained ascendancy.
2 Codie Taylor – 5
An untidy outing by his standards. Missed Damian de Allende for the Springboks’ opening try, had a mixed night with his lineout throwing, lost possession in attack and departed in the 48th minute.
1 George Bower – 5
Started solidly but struggled once Ox Nché and Malcolm Marx entered the contest. The Springboks found success against him at scrum time in the second half.
Replacements:
16 Asafo Aumua
Brought his usual power in contact but continued to look vulnerable at lineout time, with Eben Etzebeth stealing a crucial attacking throw.
17 Xavier Numia
Added fresh legs in the front row and brought aggression around the breakdown.
18 Fletcher Newell
Provided stability in the scrum during the closing stages.
19 Patrick Tuipulotu
Added experience and physicality to the tight five.
20 Peter Lakai
Injected pace and energy into New Zealand’s loose trio.
21 Kyle Preston
Kept the tempo high after replacing Roigard.
22 Anton Lienert-Brown
Offered calmness and organisation in midfield during the final quarter.
23 Josh Moorby
Added pace and attacking intent from the bench as New Zealand chased the game late on.
