PLAYER RATINGS: The almost team

OPINION: South Africa conceded a 17-point lead to lose 30-32 to New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

It was a game of what-ifs and it means the two teams are one-all (66-all) in their head-to-head contests in 2018.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Willie le Roux:
He had a nervous start, but quickly got into his stride and produced some great kick-chasing. He produced some great defence and was also solid under the high ball.
7/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe:
Not in the game in the first half and had a few decent runs after the break. Made his tackles.
6/10

13 Jesse Kriel:
Had a couple of decent runs and scored the first try with a powerful surge – beating a couple of defenders on the way. He also won a great penalty at the breakdown,
7/10

12 Damian de Allende:
Carried strongly and tested the All Black defence. However, he also ran too diagonally at times, taking away the space of his teammates and missed too many tackles.
5/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi:
He was targeted by the All Blacks and failed to make a single tackle.
5/10

10 Handré Pollard:
His tactical appreciation was spot on and had an awesome goal-kicking, including a 57-metre penalty.
6/10

9 Francois de Klerk:
Great early pressure on Aaron Smith that won a penalty. His tactical kicking was much improved, his service was crisp and he was a real livewire. Was it a mistake replacing him at a crucial stage?
8/10

8 Francois Louw:
Carried very strongly, but conceded a crucial penalty late in the first half. His workrate without the ball was poor.
6/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit:
Some really powerful runs and a massive workload – especially at the breakdown. By his usual standards, he had a quiet day on defence.
7/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain):
Made some poor decisions in the first half and kicked the ball away when the Boks were on attack and dominating. However, got better and made a crucial break just on the 50-minute mark to set up Damian de Allende try. Biggest tackle count among the Boks.
7/10

5 Franco Mostert:
Produced his usual high workrate and made a handful of decent carries. Added value in the line-outs, with a great steal.
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth:
Gave away some silly penalties, then redeemed himself with some hard work and a great line-out steal.
6/10

3 Frans Malherbe:
Solid in the scrums, but offered little else in the game.
5/10

2 Malcolm Marx:
Strong carries and won some crucial penalties at the breakdown. Had a massive workrate and his line-out throwing was much improved.
9/10

1 Steven Kitshoff:
Also strong in the scrums, but conceded a silly penalty and missed a couple of tackles.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Bongi Mbonambi (on for Marx, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Tendai Mtawarira (on for Kitshoff, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe, 60th min):
Conceded a penalty in his first scrum and that resulted in a try. Solid in the scrums and made his tackles.
5/10

19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 63rd min):
Didn’t add massive value, other than doing the basics.
5/10

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Louw, 70th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Embrose Papier (on for De Klerk, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Elton Jantjies (on for De Allende, 78th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Damian Willemse (on for Le Roux, 67th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

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