Player ratings: BlunderBoks go backward

OPINION: South Africa continued their dramatic slide in the Rugby Championship, as they lost 17-25 to a motivated Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

The margin flatters the Springboks, who scored both the consolation tries in the last 15 minutes, the second in the 80th minute – when the game was well-and-truly over as a contest.

Out-thought and outplayed by their hosts the visitors trailed 3-25 going into the final quarter.

The Boks got off to a horror start, conceding a try in the first minute and then going 0-10 down minutes later.

From there on it was all downhill in what must rank as the worst performance after winning the 2019 World Cup.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Damian Willemse
He had a kick charged down as a result of sloppy execution and conceded another turnover, when he lost the ball in contact. However, he made a number of promising runs, which yielded 60 metres.
6/10

14 Warrick Gelant
No value (metres) from his three carries, with a wild pass that conceded possession and other turnovers, meant his contribution was in the negative.
4/10

13 Lukhanyo Am
is reading of the game and tactical appreciation is on another level. He rescued Boks on more than one occasion and was South Africa’s most productive player.
8/10

12 Damian de Allende
Massive early tackle miss and turned over the ball on occasion. Got into the game in the final quarter and was good value in the late rally.
5/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
His finishing is not at his usual standards and had limited success with the ball in hand. Didn’t deal well with Wallaby high bombs. Also kicked away possession on attack.
5/10

10 Handre Pollard
His first kick at goal was a real shocker and missed the second one as well. his game management also not the best, missed a tackle for Koroibete’s try and conceded a turnover.
4/10

9 Francois de Klerk
Got yellow carded for poor execution of an attempt to smack Nic White’s arm and hitting his face. However, he generally looked out of sorts and is in poor form.
4/10

8 Duane Vermeulen
Won a crucial turnover early in first half when Australia had all the momentum and generally a much-improved performance – looking like he is regaining some form.
6/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Lots of energy, but execution often letting him down – conceding a couple of turnovers. Two decent carries and made most of his tackles.
5/10

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain)
Won a crucial turnover in the first half and kept working hard – with a handful of decent carries and his tackle count into double digits. Won a turnover that resulted in the consolation try for the Boks.
7/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager
Great work rate and stealing a couple of line-outs. His tackle count was also into double digits and he had some strong carries, although he conceded a couple of turnovers
6/10.

4 Eben Etzebeth
Got very little reward for his half-a-dozen carries, with his best work on defence.
5/10

3 Frans Malherbe
Offered nothing outside of the scrums – with one carry and four tackles,.
5/10

2 Joseph Dweba
His line-out throws remain a major concern and only made a handful of tackles.
5/10

1 Retshegofaditswe Nche
Much-improve scrum showing and a hand full of tackles, but overall his work rate remains a concern.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx (on for Dweba for a first-half blood bin and then at half-time)
Provided energy and physicality, with some strong carries. Missed one tackle and was flawless in the line-outs.
6/10

17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Nche at half-time)
Carried well and looked full of energy, but missed a couple of tackles.
6/10

18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe – 56th min)
Had a couple of decent carries and made all his tackles. Did not get the scrum dominance that was expected.
5/10

19 Franco Mostert (on for Du Toit – 60th min)
Conceded silly penalty soon after coming on and failed to make an impact.
4/10

20 Albertus Smith (on for Vermeulen – 51st min)
Tried to inject himself into the game, with some promising moments – including some strong carries and two consolation tries.
7/10

21 Jaden Hendrikse (on for De Klerk – 59th min)
Did the basics well and cleared quickly, helping te Bok backs get some front foot ball.
6/10

22 Elton Jantjies (on for Pollard – 60th min)
His first contribution was conceding a penalty, but settled to create some momentum with good game management.
6/10

23 Francois Steyn (on for Gelant – 53rd min)
Looked well short of a gallop and out of shape. Also lost the ball in contact close to the Wallaby line, although there was one decent run.
5/10

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