Player Ratings: Bittersweet for Boks

OPINION: The Springboks ended their Rugby Championship with a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Los Pumas at Kings Park on Saturday.

But the win was not enough to secure the Rugby Championship title.

The Boks needed a bonus point and a 39-point plus win to clinch the trophy away from the All Blacks.

However, it was a big ask for Boks, who failed to execute their chances against a relentless Los Pumas side.

Check out how the Boks’ players rated!

15 Willie le Roux
The fullback has been very influential through the season, however, the final Rugby Champs match was not the best performance from the experienced fullback. He struggled under the high ball and also had trouble in defence. Was left on the floor after try-scorer Juan Martin Gonzalez stepped his way around the Bok. He helped out with the kicking after Frans Steyn struggled to find the touchline.
4

14 Canan Moodie
A very quiet day for the wing. He was forced to put in some big hits, including a try-saving tackle on Argentina captain Julian Montoya in the 43rd minute – showing immense bravery and confidence.
6

13 Jesse Kriel
The No.13 was basically absent in the first half of the game. He also conceded a penalty. He made two big hits in the second half and helped set up Kurt-Lee Arendse’s try. However overall not the best performance, really needs some more game time.
4

12 Damian de Allende
Made some wayward passes which put his team under pressure. However, tried to get involved on the attack and made some strong abrasive carries beating six defenders. He also joined the pack at maul time.
6

11 Makazole Mapimpi
Rarely got the ball in hand and was a very frustrating figure. He got involved in the closing minutes, however, it was a little too late to make any impact.
4

10 Francois Steyn
Playing in first his first Springbok start as a playmaker since 2008, it was a cameo the 35-year-old would want to forget. He failed to find the touchline on a couple of occasions and was charged down in the opening minutes. Nonetheless, his kicking from the tee was absolutely sublime, even slotting over a 55m penalty.
5

9 Jaden Hendrikse
There was nothing spectacular about his performance – he did the basics well. His delayed passes were not the most effective especially when the Boks were in the strike zone. Simply just lack energy. Nonetheless, his name will certainly be in the year-end squad.
6

8 Jasper Wiese
An absolute powerhouse and growing in stature. He scored his first try for the Boks and thoroughly deserves it. The No.8 was really effective with his ball carrying, getting over the gain line with most of his carries. He made nine carries and 58 metres. Very unfortunate to be substituted after 48 minutes.
9

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
The 2019 World Rugby player of the year is slowly hitting his strides. Not his personal best after missing last weekend, and made way for Kwagga Smith after 48 minutes.
6.5

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain)
He was hungry to perform at Kings Park and delivered a very commanding performance.  He did really well in open play, scoring the Boks’ second try. He did concede two penalties, however, he put in a massive defensive display making 11 tackles missed one.
7

5 Lodewyk de Jager
It was an industrious performance by the lock. Making some solid runs with great carries, he also showed great hands with an offload to Pieter-Steph du Toit at the start of the match. His work at the line-outs never falters.
7

4 Eben Etzebeth
Produced a very physical performance and made a crucial line-out steal. Unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet after he went over the tryline. The try was disallowed for offside. He had more bad luck in the second half when he was handed a controversial yellow card for what the referee deemed reckless play.
6

3 Frans Malherbe
Very quiet when it came to open play, but made up for it with some solid scrums, winning an early penalty for the Boks.
6

2 Malcolm Marx
It was not the best from the hooker, however, he still managed to add that physicality that is so vital for the Boks.  He made some crucial steals, including the one inside the Boks’ 22. His line-out throws were not flawless.
7

1 Steven Kitshoff
The prop was a rock at the scrum and made a couple of crucial tackles. He also put his body on the line with some strong carries against the powerful Los Pumas pack
7

Replacements:

16 Mbongeni Mbonambi (on for Marx, 70th minute)
Not enough time to be rated

17 Retshegofaditswe Nche (on for Kitshoff,58th minute)
His work around the rucks was very good, while his effort at the scrums was valuable.
5

18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe, 58th minute)
Part of the Bomb squad, he continued to dominate the scrums with Mbonambi and Nche and was rewarded the scrum penalty.
5

19 Franco Mostert (on for De Jager, 71st minute)
Not enough time to be rate

20 Duane Vermeulen (on for Wiese, 48th minute)
With a lot to prove, the No.8 made an immediate impact with his big run, while his work at the maul handed South Africa the penalty try. Vermeulen made 45m and four carries in his stint
6.5

21 Albertus Smith (on for Du Toit, 48th Minute)
He immediately injected some valuable energy, making a crucial steal inside his own 22. However, his overeagerness at the breakdown proved costly as he also conceded a penalty.
6

22 Francois de Klerk (on for Hendrikse, 61st minute)
Copped a yellow card, which saw the Boks go down to 13 men.
3

23 Kurt-Lee Arendse (on for Le Roux, 50th minute)
First game since serving his four-week ban. Took up the role as scrumhalf with De Klerk in the sin bin, and he scored a try during his cameo
5