Player Ratings: South Africa

OPINION: The Springboks continued to fine-tune their squad as they recorded a comfortable 76-0 win over Romania in their second World Cup pool match on Sunday.

Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and wing Makazole Mapimpi both scored hat-tricks as South Africa ran in 12 tries to nil in rainy Bordeaux.

Check out how the Springboks’ players rated:

15 Willie le Roux
Aside from his horrendous knock-on in the first half and forward pass in the second, the fullback was solid at the back. He was a try-assist maestro, setting up a couple of tries, including a hattrick for Makazola Mampimpi. Le Roux also scored a try. A noteworthy return from the veteran who is in dire need of some minutes.
8/10

14 Grant Williams
One of the four scrumhalves selected in the Springbok squad, the 27-year-old struggled in the first half. He conceded a penalty and often misjudged his own pace. However, he managed to overturn his first-half woes and ran two great lines for his double.
7/10

13 Canan Moodie
It was a very quiet display from the 20-year-old. His defence was troubling, missing four tackles. Also, at fault for Damian Willemse’s No Try, while botched one try midway through the second half after a beautiful line break. Not the best of the Bulls’ star but he showed great promise and has tremendous talent to overturn the display, so no need to panic.
5/10

12 Andre Esterhuizen
While it wasn’t his trademark performance, it was still a quality outing from the centre. The strong carries were limited, but he made up for it in defence, making 10 tackles and missing one for his 80 minutes on the park.
7.5/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
The wing really showed his deadly finishing skills, scoring a hat-trick of tries. He also set up Wille Le Roux, a very enjoyable outing.
8.5/10

10 Damian Willemse
While the utility back did not ease any concerns regarding the Springboks’ goal-kicking – at time erratic – his general play was gold. His long pass to Willie le Roux was vital in the build-up to Mapimpi’s try and while his quick feet saw him weaved through defenders for his own try.
7/10

9 Cobus Reinach
It was an incredible performance by the No.9. He was amazing on attack. He scored the Springboks’ first try at the back of the scrum and bagged a hat-trick in the 23rd minute – missing his World Cup record by just three minutes. He was calm and read the game really well.
9/10

8 Duane Vermeulen
The No.8 conceded the Boks’ first penalty and struggled in the first quarter. However, the veteran found his feet and put in a very physical display. He made 10 tackles and won several turnovers while his carries were strong.
8/10

7 Kwagga Smith,
One of the best performers in the Springbok jersey. His workrate was immense and he was a menace at the breakdown, topping the charts for turnover won.
9/10

6 Marco van Staden
He was incredible today – very industrious. In the last quarter, he slotted in effortlessly at hooker and was successful with all his lineout throws. The flank could’ve had his first World Cup try, however was ruled No Try after obstruction at the maul.
8/10.

5 Marvin Orie,
It was not a great start for the second row, he failed to collect the first line-out of the match, but bounced back and was eventually a key line-out jumper, winning five lineouts. He left the field in the second half.
5/10

4 Jean Kleyn,
It was certainly a mixed bag for the lock. At fault for Marco Van Staden’s no try, while he found himself lucky not to be yellow carded for his high tackle in the first half. The lock made up for in the second 40 and topped the charts for lineouts won with seven.
6/10

3 Trevor Nyakane
Propelled to the starting XV after an injury to Vincent Koch ahead of the kick-off. The prop scrummaged really well in the first half, but had trouble in the second half, conceding as a scrum penalty before he made way for Frans Malherbe in the 59th minute.
7/10

2 Bongi Mbonambi (captain)
His line-out throwing didn’t look as assured, which is a massive concern for Springboks given the injury to premier hooker Malcolm Marx. However, he scrummed really well with his fellow front rowers. He also motivated the team very well. Made for Deon Fourie at halftime.
7/10

1 Ox Nche.
Very busy in the open play, carry well and earned a penalty try. He also held is his own at the scrums and was part of a very powerful front row.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Deon Fourie (On for Mbonambi, 40 minutes)
He immediately made an impact with a turnover. His first lineout throw was also accurate and after three minutes off the bench, he powered over the line for a try. He moved to flank in the last quarter of the match.
9/10

17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Nche, 59 minutes)
He has been on from and again delivered in his 20 minutes. The highlight is certainly when he charged down the touchline.
7/10

18 Frans Malherbe (on for Nyakane, 59 minies)
Expected to enjoy a rest day, however, He was a late change on the bench after Vincent Koch suffered an injury ahead of the kick-off. And in pure Malherbe fashion, the prop dominated the scrum
6/10

19 RG Snyman (on for Orie, 40 minutes)
He immediately made a huge impact. Partnering with his Munster teammate Jean Kleyn, the lock added some stability at the lineouts. He also made a couple of runs and again delivered some lethal offloads.
7/10

20 Jasper Wiese (Not used)

21 Jaden Hendrikse (on for Reinach, 46 minutes)
A little bit slow behind the pack. However, was part of a confident Springboks team already on their way to a win.
6/10

22 Faf de Klerk (on for Willemse, 56 minues)
Came on as the flyhalf and kicked one beauty but missed a couple. Aside from that his stint as flyhalf was good overall.
7/10

23 Jesse Kriel (Nor used)