Player Ratings: South Africa

OPINION: The Springboks showed true grit to beat Italy 32-14 in Turin on Saturday.

Rassie Erasmus’ side played most of the game with 14 men after Franco Mostert’s 12th-minute red, but some tactical substitutions helped the Boks lay the foundation for victory.

See the Player Ratings below: 

15 Damian Willemse
His ability to read the game from the back saved his team on numerous occasions. He was an assured figure under the high ball, except for one or two occasions. With only 14 men on the field, his contributions on attack were limited, but when there was a bit of space, he caused chaos.
8.5/10

14 Edwill van der Merwe
The speedster produced some great sweeping at the back to prevent Italy from scoring in the sixth minute. He also conjured up a fantastic interception in the 23rd minute when Italy were looking dangerous on attack. He was eventually replaced by Andre Esterhuizen in the 27th minute, but returned after the break for a Kurt-Lee Arendse HIA.
6.5/10

13 Canan Moodie
Outside centre is an important position when it comes to the defensive system, and he was excellent. There were plenty of disruptions around him, but he was consistent with his standards. He took a high ball in the 1st minute before producing a ferocious tackle on Niccolo Cannone in the 18th minute. He also ran a great line and produced the final offload for Grant Williams’ try.
7.5/10

12 Ethan Hooker
He started in the midfield but played most of the game on the wing after Andre Esterhuizen was introduced early. He didn’t have a lot of opportunities to attack, but he chased each ball with determination. The youngster also showed great positioning to score a try after collecting the ball from a Manie Libbok cross-field kick.
7/10

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
It was a very quiet outing for the wing. Most of his work was done on defence, and he never returned to the field after the break due to a failed HIA.
5.5/10

10 Handre Pollard
When a game starts to get ugly, especially in wet conditions, he is the man you want on the field. His decision-making kept his team calm after they were a man down and his kicking game was crucial in certain stages of the game.
7.5/10

9 Morne van den Berg
His try off the back of the scrum in the 60th minute would make Fourie du Preez proud. In difficult conditions, he showed his cool head under pressure, and his high balls gave Italy plenty of headaches. The Lion made some good decisions out there.
8/10

8 Marco van Staden
He received a yellow card in the 52nd minute for playing the ball on the ground, but that was the only blemish in an outstanding performance. He was a powerhouse in all areas of the match, and it was there for all to see when he scored the crucial try just before half-time with a strong carry.
8/10

7 Ben-Jason Dixon
He got sacrificed in the 13th minute after Franco Moster’s red card. He looked busy around the park while he was on the field.
5.5/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
As he has done so many times throughout his career, he put his body on the line, especially with ball in hand. His physicality in the close exchange was there for all to see.
7/10

5 Franco Mostert
Received a permanent red card for a high shot on Paolo Garbisi in the 12th minute. The officials deemed that there was no wrap while attempting the tackle.
2/10

4 Jean Kleyn
Having been out of the matchday squad for some time, he looked a bit rusty at the start. But he asserted himself more in the physical stuff as the game went on, and he showed his aggression with his tackles. He was also a good jumper in the line-outs.
6/10

3 Zachary Porthen
He was solid in the opening scrum of the game, but he could not assert his dominance after Mostert’s red card. He was eventually replaced by the more experienced Wilco Louw in the 19th minute.
4/10

2 Johan Grobbelaar
Rassie Erasmus will be a proud man. He played the full 80 minutes, and he was great in the set-pieces. The Bulls player also showed his dynamism with a brilliant turnover in the 70th minute when his team was under pressure.
8/10

1 Boan Venter
With the Springboks trying to get power in their set-piece after being reduced to 14 men, he was replaced in the 24th minute by Gerhard Steenekamp. He eventually returned to the field late in the first half after Steenekamp went off for an HIA. He helped drive Marco van Staden over for a try just before half-time, and he stood up to the challenge in the physical exchanges.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Gerhard Steenekamp (On for B Venter, 24th minute & 41st minute)
He brought some stability to scrums after the red card, and he was also a powerhouse with ball in hand.
6.5/10

17 Wilco Louw (On for Z Porthen, 19th minute)
Showed his power in the scrums in the latter stages of the game, and he was just a tough man to bring down when he had the ball.
7/10

18 RG Snyman (On for S Kolisi, 45th minute)
He took over the captaincy when he came onto the field, and he led by example. He was just a beast in all facets of the game.
7/10

19 Ruan Nortje (On for BJ Dixon, 13th minute)
The lock never lets his team down, and he was at the heart of the revamped forward effort. He has become a vital cog in Erasmus’ squad.
7/10

20 Andre Esterhuizen (on for E van der Merwe, 27th minute)
It was another successful hybrid performance from the big man. Whether it was on the side of the scrum or in the midfield, he was a standout.
7.5/10

21 Kwagga Smith (On for Jean Kleyn, 51st minute)
Full of energy when he entered the match. A menace at the breakdowns, and he produced a great turnover in the 56th minute.
7/10

22 Grant Williams (on for M van den Berg, 65th minute)
With Italy tiring on the field, William’s speed was just too much in that final quarter and he scored a try as well.
7/10

23 Manie Libbok (on for Handre Pollard, 67th minute)
He managed the game well in those final minutes and he produced a great cross-field kick for Ethan Hooker’s try.
6.5/10