Top 10 players from the RGR series

OPINION: The gripping Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series has come and gone, and some of the individual performances won’t soon be forgotten.

The Springboks turned a shocking opening Test defeat into three straight victories over their arch rivals, concluding the series with an entertaining display in Baltimore.

*Also read: ‘It’s all about the scoreboard’: Rassie downplays Boks’ superiority over All Blacks

We look at 10 standout players from the four-Test series.

1. Malcolm Marx

Never mind position-specific praises, Marx is the best rugby player on the planet.

He has been an absolute menace for the opposition in multiple facets, with his work on the ground and at the back of the Springbok maul particularly devastating.

Just when you think he can’t go into a higher gear, he does just that.

2. Damian Willemse

His attacking abilities are of such quality that one often overlooks the calming and cohesive presence he brings, but one thing that was impossible to miss in the three Tests he played was his work under the high ball.

While he missed the second match due to injury, he was instrumental throughout the series.

He was a one-man workshop in fullback play during the Nations Championship, and he continued on that path against the All Blacks.

He was much more subtle in the final Test, with quiet reliability and moments of fine counter-attack; he was typically astute in the air, but he doesn’t have to be loud to be influential.

He has been in the form of his life this year.

3. Ethan Hooker

He was outstanding in this series, particularly in the third Test, as he brought even more potency to South Africa’s high-ball prowess, chasing like a man possessed and hitting every single area with intent, from the rucks to his tackles and his carries.

He showed ravenous hunger in absolutely everything he pursued, and even when he wasn’t the focal point, his off-the-ball effort was ridiculous.

4. Wilco Louw

He didn’t enjoy much scrum ascendancy in the fourth Test, but given how huge he was in inflicting scrum-time suffering on the All Blacks throughout the series, he simply has to be on this list.

Louw produced many fine moments during the series, and that monster of a shove leading up to the penalty try just before half-time at FNB Stadium was one of the top ones.

He was big outside of the scrum at the M&T Bank Stadium as well, especially on defence.

5. Manie Libbok

The Springbok backs really have a proper party when Libbok is on the field.

He brings a license to thrill whenever he comes on, and during this series he has been no different.

In his appearances off the bench, Libbok brought an undoubted spark, laying a platform for those around him with his passing game, vision, and attacking kicks.

He always delivers against the All Blacks.

Continues below…

6. Jasper Wiese

He was a wrecking ball throughout the series, but the way he got over the gain line with most of his carries in the USA was just brutal.

He was equally dominant on defence as he ended the series on high as the Boks’ top tackler in Baltimore, but the most impressive part is how consistent he has been in the level of physicality he brings.

7. Ardie Savea

His leadership and influence were notably missing after he sustained a shoulder injury after scoring two brilliant tries in Soweto.

The skipper had been in sensational form during the series, and while he didn’t feature in all games, he was massive until injury struck.

8. Will Jordan

Struggled against Hooker in the air in Baltimore, but his aerial contests were about the only part of his game that could be faulted.

Something threatened to happen whenever the ball went his way, which was much more than most wings would expect.

His roaming style of play and exceptional work rate meant he was one to watch, constantly, as he was ever-present in support in structured play and when scavenging for scraps. He also scored a total of four tries in three of the four Tests.

He gives new meaning to the term “all-rounder”.

9. Jordie Barrett

He was one of the All Blacks’ main men in South Africa, and seeing him go up against Damian de Allende was always going to be a feast given the “best in the world” touts that have been circulating around the New Zealander.

He was immense throughout the series, but so was De Allende, so the jury is still very much out on that one.

Still, he called the shots in the backline superbly and produced massive efforts with his defence, passing and kicking game.

10. Cam Roigard

It’s not hard to see why Roigard is so highly rated.

His quick service and shot-calling was one of the driving factors behind the All Blacks’ attack, and it’s a pity that something other than his brilliance will come to mind when reflecting on the series thanks to his theatrics.