Player Ratings: South Africa
OPINION: South Africa made it back-to-back victories over New Zealand by 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The Springboks go into the fourth and final Test in Baltimore with a 2-1 lead in the series, with the worst-case scenario for them being sharing the trophy should New Zealand respond in the USA next week.
*Angus Opperman rates the Springboks!
South Africa:
15 Cheslin Kolbe – 8/10
Started out with a brilliant exit from the kick-off and doubled up to save the day when Will Jordan looked in for all money to score a long-range try. Unfortunately had to leave the field in the ninth minute following a concussion, but deserves a rating for his early heroics.
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7/10
No substitute for pace. Worked hard off the ball and showed great wheels to beat his opposite for his try. Showed up defensively although he was caught out wide at times in sixes and sevens. Didn’t have too many opportunities but made it count when he had the ball in hand.
13 Jesse Kriel – 7.5/10
Good on attack but made an unforced error on attack late in the first half. Scored a critical try to get the Boks level in the second half after brushing off Leroy Carter. Also had a few solid touches on attack, making two linebreaks.
12 Damian de Allende – 7.5/10
Showed great composure to set Kurt-Lee Arendse up for his try. Strong in the carry, getting his team over the gainline. Made a solid steal inside New Zealand’s red zone late in the game as well.
11 Ethan Hooker – 9.5/10
Made a crucial steal inside his red zone to prevent a New Zealand try. Worked hard off the ball and was always involved in the aerial battle, winning a couple of balls as well. Also showed great awareness to intercept with New Zealand on the attack.
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 6.5/10
Got yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on early in the game, which led to Ardie Savea’s try. His intentions were good but were indirectly involved in conceding Savea’s second try. Missed a couple of kicks at goal but no damage done. Made the second-most carries (11) in the match.
9 Cobus Reinach – 8.5/10
Provided crisp service from the base and was in the opposition’s face. Made a couple of critical interventions as well and didn’t do much, if anything, wrong.
Continues below…
8 Jasper Wiese 8.5/10
Carried hard and strong, but gave away a crucial penalty for obstruction inside New Zealands red zone. Made a solid line break and showed good composure to get his pass away to Ox Nche. Also won a breakdown penalty to get the Boks out of trouble in the second half.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7.5/10
One of his ‘quieter’ games, but kudos to him for going the full 80 once more. Didn’t do anything wrong and didn’t step back as expected for a player of his calibre. Made nine tackles, two of which were dominant.
6 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7.5/10
A menace in the carry and showed up defensively. Gave his all during his time on the pitch and showed good leadership overall.
5 Ruan Nortje – 8/10
Solid in the line-out and his overall workrate on the pitch was outstanding. Put pressure on the New Zealand set piece and made the second most tackles (12) in the game.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 7.5/10
Competed well at the line-outs but knocked a crucial ball on inside New Zealand’s 22 with the Boks hot on attack. Showed exactly why he’s South Africa’s premier No.4 lock with another solid performance.
3 Wilco Louw – 8/10
A monster in the scrums and was a crucial cog in the Boks’ penalty try. Did his primary work well with distinction on the day.
2 Malcolm Marx – 8.5/10
Nailed all his darts and scrummed strongly with his front row partners. A menace at the breakdown and overall tight-loose. Scored a beautiful maul try in the second half to give the Boks an edge in the final 15 minutes. One of the best on the pitch today.
1 Ox Nche – 8.5/10
A machine in the scrums with Louw and showed great composure to put Manie Libbok into space, which ultimately led to the Boks’ penalty try. Made two dominant tackles as well. Arguably the best loosehead prop in world rugby.
Replacements:
16 Deon Fourie (on for Siya Kolisi in the 56th minute) – 7/10
Didn’t do anything wrong and nailed his line-out darts. Three wins against the All Blacks in as many games; that’s some feat for the 39-year-old utility forward.
17 Gerhard Steenekamp (On for Ox Nche in the 56th minute) – 7.5/10
Got the better of Fletcher Newell on most occasions in the scrums and grew into the match as it progressed. Definitely put his hand up to be selected for next week again.
18 Thomas du Toit (On for Wilco Louw in the 50th minute) – 7/10
Held his own in the scrums and dominated his opposite for the majority of the time. Also solid around the park and in his carries.
19 Lood de Jager (on for Ruan Nortje in the 56th minute) – 7/10
Solid at set-piece and worked hard around the park. Showed that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
20 Andre Esterhuizen (on for Malcolm Marx in the 68th minute) – N/A
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Cameron Hanekom (on for Jasper Wiese in the 61st minute) – 8.5/10
Made an immediate impact with a strong carry and got stuck in defensively. Showed Rassie Erasmus that he is the second choice No.8 for the Boks in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.
22 Morne van den Berg (On for Cobus Reinach in the 42nd minute) – 9/10
A menace on defence the moment he came onto the pitch. Made a crucial tackle on Will Jordan inside his own 22 that led to the winger spilling the ball to save the day. Tactically also solid with the boot from the base and provided crisp service to his backline.
23 Manie Libbok (On for Cheslin Kolbe in the ninth minute) – 8/10
Almost cost his side with a short goal line dropout but executed his line kicks well in difficult conditions. His missed touch finder also led to Ardie Savea’s second score. However, the Boks’ attack came to life, and he made a beautiful linebreak to get the Boks in the red zone, eventually leading to a penalty try. This performance reminded us of his class and might be the starting No.10 next weekend after this showing.
