Player ratings: South Africa 

OPINION: The Boks dismantled Japan 61-7 in a dominant display to open their Northern Tour, with many players showing their class once more in the outing.

It was the Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu show that marshalled the Boks to a solid start, while debutant Zachary Porthen showed why he is so highly rated at the tender age of 21.

*Angus Opperman rates the Springboks!

15 Cheslin Kolbe
Had good positional play at fullback but made one or two tactical mistakes. Showed willingness to spark something and was well watched by the Japanese defenders. Showed late in the game with a counterattack to set Arendse up for a brace why he is one of the most devastating players in the world.
7.5/10

14 Ethan Hooker
Missed a short restart ball, but had a strong running game when he got the ball. Didn’t have too many opportunities to be his devastating self. Went off with an HIA in the 70th minute, with Reinach making a second appearance in his place.
6.5/10

13 Jesse Kriel
Had a relatively quiet evening by his standards and made a few mistakes defensively. Took over the captaincy from Siya Kolisi in the second half and showed good leadership, and scored a late try to put the cherry on top.
7/10

12 Damian de Allende
Got the Boks over the advantage line and bullied the Japanese defenders. Worked hard defensively and never took a backwards step.
8.5/10

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
Conceded the first penalty of his side, but worked hard on defence and kick chases and grabbed a brace for his efforts. Topped the linebreak stats with three and made 11 carries, but also conceded three turnovers. Won the official Player of the Match award.
7.5/10

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Pulled the strings for his side with ease. Scored two beautiful solo tries. Made a crucial intercept with Japan threatening the Bok line and had a player of the match performance. He was the top ball carrier and made two linebreaks in the process.
9.5/10

9 Cobus Reinach
Tactically solid from the boot in tandem with Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and gave solid service from the base. Made good decisions overall and appears to age like fine wine.
8/10

8 Jasper Wiese
Carried hard and disrupted Japan at the breakdown. Bullied the Japanese forwards and were nearly unstoppable with the ball in hand.
8.5/10

7 Franco Mostert
A workhorse as always. He was everywhere on the field and in the faces of the Japanese. Did his job at set-piece and the unseen donkey work, and made 14 tackles.
8.5/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
Showed great leadership as always and got the first try of the game. Got his team over the gainline with strong runs and carries.
8/10

5 Lood de Jager
Solid at set-piece and showed he still has plenty to offer the Boks. Had a few subtle touches with the ball in hand. Stole a few line-out balls and stood up defensively, completing 19 tackles.
8.5/10

4 RG Snyman
A handful with the ball in hand and did his job at set-piece. Forced the offloads a bit too much, but had a decent outing overall. Unfortunately, his double banking in the maul led to Esterhuizen’s try being chalked off. He also made the second most carries (13).
7.5/10

3 Zachary Porthen
Repaid Rassie Erasmus’ faith and boldness to select him. A solid debut and held his own in the scrum. Did well in general play and showed he’s ready for Test rugby.
7/10

2 Malcolm Marx
Solid with his line-out throwing, missing just one. A menace at the breakdown, but conceded one penalty late in the first half. He won the most turnovers in this game with three.
8.5/10

1 Ox Nche
Destroyed the Japan scrum before being replaced in the 18th by Gerhard Steenekamp after going down with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
7/10

Replacements: 

16 Johan Grobbelaar
On for Malcolm Marx in the 44th minute. Did his primary job well but lost a line-out throw late in the match.
6.5/10

17 Gerhard Steenekamp
On for Ox Nche in the 18th minute. Picked up where Nche left off in the scrum and was solid around the park. Did his defensive duties well and made two dominant tackles.
7.5/10

18 Wilco Louw
On for Zachary Porthen in the 44th minute and scored his first Test try two minutes later, sparked by Feinberg-Mngomezulu running a good support line off Kwagga Smith’s shoulders. Did his job defensively and carried strongly despite conceding a soft penalty late in the game.
8/10

19 Ruan Nortje
On for Lood de Jager in the 67th minute.
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Andre Esterhuizen
On for Siya Kolisi in the 44th minute. Showed immediately why he can fulfill the hybrid role and had a solid outing with the ball in hand, and made his presence felt at the breakdown.
7.5/10

21 Kwagga Smith
On for Jasper Wiese in the 44th minute. Conceded a penalty three minutes later, which led to Japan’s first try, but made amends later in the game for his indiscretion at the breakdown. Worked non-stop in every situation during his time on the field.
8/10

22 Grant Williams
On for Cobus Reinach in the 54th minute. Increased the match’s tempo in the final quarter. Tactically solid with the boot off the base of the ruck.
7.5/10

23 Manie Libbok
On for Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu in the 54th minute. Dictated and controlled the game well despite one or two mistakes and had Japan scrambling with his contestable kicks. Also didn’t shy away from his defensive duties.
7/10