Player Ratings: South Africa

OPINION: The Springboks clinched the Greatest Rivalry series, with a 43-28 win over All Blacks on Saturday Baltimore.

The win saw South Africa clinched the series 3-1 in front of 68,137 fans at the at M&T Back Stadium – the home of NFL side the Ravens.

The Boks outscored New Zealand six tries to four in an entertaining contest.

How the Springboks players rated:

15 Damian Willemse
He returned from injury, which saw him miss last weekend’s 29-24 win over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium. He looked composed under the high ball and gave the Springboks another attacking option. He linked up perfectly with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for the Springboks’ first try, scored by Damian de Allende. His boot was also vital, executing his kick-and-chase. Left the field on the hour mark.
7/10

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse

Didn’t have too many opportunities but made it count when he had the ball in hand. He was found in no-man’s land in the lead-up to the All Blacks’ first try but made up for it in more ways than one. He worked hard off the ball. He also showed his incredible pace, footwork – making 169 metres, beating 8 defenders, and scoring a try.
8/10

13 Jesse Kriel
Had a few solid touches on attack as he linked up with his centre partner, Damian de Allende. Defensively there were a few lapses. His intercept in the second-half proved vital halting the All Blacks’ momentum.
6.5/10

12 Damian de Allende
Showing his skills once again, de Allende had some nice soft touches that facilitated those around him. Mixing his usual physicality with these softer skills, for the Boks’ first try. He made the most carries with 18 and was also solid without the ball, completing 17 tackles – deserving Rugby365’s man of the match.
9.5/10

11 Ethan Hooker

One of the standouts during last weekend’s win over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, Hooker is certainly one talented player. His chances on attack were limited, however, his work without the ball was immense. He made some big tackles and showed great effort in the aerial battle. He also put in some big defensive hits.
8/10

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 

The flyhalf has been under a lot of pressure and it was certainly not a terrible performance from the flyhalf. He showed his X-factor and was instrumental in Damian de Allende’s try, selling a dummy and creating some magic to get his team inside the 22. However, in the second quarter, mistakes started to creep in. He pushed his attempted drop goal wide and then overcooked back-to-back kicks, alleviating pressure for the All Blacks. His ideas were there but execution was off.
6.5/10

9 Morne van den Berg
Coming off the bench during last weekend’s win over the All Blacks, the Lions scrumhalf was promoted to the starting line-up and delivered yet again. He showed variation on attack, dictating the game and catching the Kiwis by surprise, putting them under pressure. Playing in his 10th Test, the scrumhalf scored his first try against the All Blacks when he sniped and dived over. He made a steal in the 43rd minute and also added a conversion to his name. He completed 10 tackles.
9/10

8 Jasper Wiese

Pinballing through All Blacks defenders, as he has been doing throughout the four-Test series, Wiese did the same again. The big highlight was when he made Fletcher Newell sit on the floor in the first half. He concluded his day as the team’s top tackler, completing 17 tackles, and also made 17 carries. Certainly a contender for Player of the Series.
9/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
It was a slow start for the flank, but he eventually got into the game. He did well when it came to stopping the All Blacks’ maul, with his defensive work at set-piece time particularly effective. He also finished his performance with a try.
7.5/10

6 Siya Kolisi
The Springbok captain looked sharp, carrying strongly into contact. He also showed up defensively, completing 10 tackles, before leaving the field early in the second-half.
6.5/10

5 Ruan Nortje

Not one to get a lot of praise from the public, but the former Bulls lock has been an incredible feature of the Springboks’ pack. While he did not hit all the strides tonight, the 28-year-old’s work rate continues to impress. He does all the gritty stuff and completed a number of tackles.
7/10

4 Eben Etzebeth

The most-capped Springbok of all time put in an effective performance, making a few heavy collisions both with the ball and without it. He concluded the match with seven carries and 15 completed tackles. He made a wonderful line-out steal in the 10th minute, which set the tone for the encounter.
8/10

3 Wilco Louw

The prop certainly announced himself during the Greatest Rivalry series and continues in that form. While his scrummaging time was limited this time around, he starred in other departments, completing 11 tackles.
7/10

2 Malcolm Marx

Arguably one of the men of the series, the hooker has been immense over the last four weeks. He hit the target with his line-out throws, carried strongly and his work rate off the ball was solid. He scored a try at the back of the maul, which was his last contribution to the match. Certainly, the most defining figures of this Springbok era.
8.5/10

1 Ox Nche

It was a mixed bag for the loosehead. He conceded a crucial scrum penalty on the stroke of half-time, but overall, he was lively around the park. He completed 10 tackles.
7/10

Replacements: 

16 Deon Fourie (on for Malcolm Marx, 50th minute)

The veteran hooker landed his line-out throws and brought his usual work rate when he entered the fray. The scrum was a mixed bag, with Fourie also conceding a penalty, but his effort and commitment were unquestionable.
6/10

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (On for Ox Nche, 43rd minute)
Steenekamp conceded a scrum penalty but otherwise produced a solid cameo. He went about his work without making too much of an impact, but importantly, he did little damage.
6/10

18 Thomas du Toit (on for Wilco Louw, 43rd minute)
He won a scrum penalty, getting the better of Ethan de Groot. He completed three tackles.
6.5/10

19 Lood de Jager (on for Ruan Nortje, 43rd minute)

A lively character from the moment he entered the field. De Jager brought plenty of energy to the Boks’ pack and made eight carries as he added some physicality in the second half.
7/10

20 Andre Esterhuizen (On for Siya Kolisi, 43rd minute)

Esterhuizen carried strongly and added some much-needed power to the Springboks’ pack. A typically physical cameo from the powerful hybrid
7/10

21 Cameron Hanekom
Another energetic performance from Hanekom, who made some big tackles and was fortunate to escape punishment for an early challenge on an All Blacks wing Josh Moorby, with the referee ruling that the contact was simultaneous and allowing Arendse’s try to stand. He then put the finishing touches to a memorable cameo by scoring his second try in a Springbok jersey, dotting down for the Boks’ sixth try.
7.5/10

22 Cobus Reinach (On for Morne van den Berg)
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Manie Libbok (on for Damian Willemse, 57th minute)

Not quite as influential as he was during last weekend’s 29–24 victory over the All Blacks, but Libbok still made a valuable contribution off the bench. He made a line break and added a few carries as he helped keep the Boks’ attack ticking.
7/10