Player ratings: The answers Bok coaches didn't want

OPINION: South Africa ‘A’ were given a lesson in team cohesion and determination by a second-string Munster team in Cork on Thursday.

Munster ended a 50-year wait to get their first win over a South African representative team.

The Irish province beat SA ‘A’ 28-14 in foul weather conditions, adding this to the famous scalps of the Wallabies and All Blacks.

Not many of the visiting team’s players put their hands up for selection to the Springbok team.

Jan de Koning rates South Africa ‘A’ players!

15 Aphelele Fassi
His attacking skills are well-documented. However, he started by putting the ball directly into touch, then shot out of line and created an overlap that resulted in Munster’s first try.
4/10

14 Suleiman Hartzenberg
Reduced to a defensive role for most of the match and got his timing wrong on occasion.
5/10

13 Henco van Wyk
Impressive running lines and great decision-making with limited opportunities.
6/10

12 Cornal Hendricks
He showed his experience and created a few opportunities – especially in the second half.
7/10

11 Leolin Zas
Produced great pressure with his kick-chasing and had a couple of powerful runs.
6/10

10 Johan Goosen
Limited opportunities with the ball in hand, but showed his class. His out-of-hand kicking requires some attention.
6/10

9 Herschel Jantjies
His slow service and poor kicking made life unpleasant and complicated for his teammates. He worked hard on cover defence.
4/10

8 Jean-Luc du Preez
Looked rusty, but eventually got into the groove. Had a steady second half.
5/10

7 Elrigh Louw
Worked his socks off, without much reward. Surprised he was replaced so early in the second half.
7/10

6 Phendulani Buthelezi
Was almost invisible for long periods. Did his reputation more harm than good.
4/10

5 Ruan Nortje
Had a very high work rate, was solid on his own line-out balls and won a crucial line-out steal. His message to the Springbok coach: ‘PICK ME!’
8/10

4 Jason Jenkins
Impressive work rate and showed his experience of playing in Irish conditions. Certainly a Bok candidate.
6/10

3 Thomas du Toit (captain)
He put in a big physical shift and did plenty of the dirty work.
6/10

2 Joseph Dweba
His line-out throwing was much-improved, but the rest of his game was found wanting.
5/10

1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Sloppy no-look pass that gifted a turnover and put his team under pressure. Penalised at scrum time.
4/10

Replacements:

16 Andre-Hugo Venter (on for Dweba – 50th min)
Was on the wrong side of the referee a few times, but brought some real energy.
5/10

17 Simphiwe Matanzima (on for Mchunu – 56th min)
Made no significant impact, other than a couple of powerful scrums.
6/10

18 Sazi Sandi (on for Du Toit – 56th min)
His most significant contribution was to concede a scrum penalty at a crucial stage late in the second half – with SA ‘A’ deep in Munster territory.
4/10

19 Dan du Preez (on for Louw – 45th min)
Added some much-needed grunt and energy. Will not let the Springboks down.
6/10

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Buthelezi – 58th min)
His energy levels were markedly higher. He – conceded a penalty at a crucial stage, then won a crucial penalty.
6/10

21 Grant Williams (on for Jantjies – 45th min)
His service was much snappier and kicking a level up. Brought some pace to the game.
6/10

22 Sanele Nohamba (on for Fassi – 75th min)
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Gianni Lombard (on for Goosen – 60th min)
Like Goosen. he did not get many opportunities, with the scrumhalf doing most of the ‘playmaking’.
5/10

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* Picture credit: @Springboks