Player ratings: A great response

OPINION: The Springboks bounced back from their defeat in Adelaide with a morale-boosting 24-8 win over the Wallabies in Sydney.

Jacques Nienaber’s side showed that they are capable of playing a more exciting branding of rugby. It was there for all to see at the Sydney Football Ground where they outscored their opponents by four tries to one.

However, there is still a lot to work on ahead of their next match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Check out the Player Ratings below:

15 Willie le Roux
The love-hate relationship with Wille continues. He was guilty of getting his kick charged down when there was an overlap in 26th minute. He also gave away a penalty in the 37th minute at a ruck when Boks were in the strike zone. However, he did produce the final passes in South Africa’s two second-half tries. His pass for Makazole Mapimpi’s try was a thing of beauty.
6.5/10

14 Canan Moodie
Every single Bok fan must have jumped up and down when he rose above Marika Koroibete to gather a high ball before running away for a sensational try in the 39th minute. Overall, it was a solid performance by the debutant and it looks like he has a bright future in the green and gold.
7.5/10

13 Jesse Kriel
He looked like the odd one out in that backline. His positioning on attack was not the best and you just felt nervous every time the ball went his way. He needs some more game time to build his confidence.
4/10

12 Damian de Allende
His defence in the midfield was outstanding. However, his attacking game was not up to scratch. He was guilty of kicking the ball away early in the game when his team had an overlap out wide and his knock-on from a goal-line restart in the 19th minute was a bit embarrassing. He produced some strong carries and he scored a try in the ninth minute.
6.5/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
He was missing in action in the first half and seemed more focused on chirping the opposition and the officials. He scored a great try in the 71st minute, but he needs to watch his attitude. It did cost him a yellow card in the end.
5.5/10

10 Damian Willemse
It was a mixed bag from the playmaker. His kicking game was not the best, but he showed some nice vision on attack and he produced some neat touches with the ball in hand. He was given the man-of-the-match award by the commentators, so he didn’t do a lot wrong out there.
7/10

9 Jaden Hendrikse
He produced a perfectly weighted kick for Canan Moodie’s try. There was nothing too spectacular about his performance, but he did the basics well and it played a big role in the Springboks’ win.
6.5/10

8 Jasper Wiese
A colossus in open play, especially with ball in hand. He made the most carries and he made more metres than any another forward. He was also a machine on defence. He is definitely South Africa’s top No.8 at the moment.
8/10

7 Franco Mostert
It was another industrious performance in open play from the big man. He was solid on defence and he got his team over the gain line with some good carries. He was also in a good position out wide to score that try in the 43rd minute.
7/10

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain)
It was probably his best performance of the Test season so far. He was magnificent at the breakdown – he won three turnovers in crucial positions on the field for his team. The captain was also powerful in open play. He made plenty of metres with his carries and he beat three defenders as well.
8.5/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager
He was the main target man in the line-outs and he did his job well. He also won a turnover and tackled like a man possessed in open play.
7/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
He deserves a 10 just for all the future nightmares Allan Alaalatoa is going to have after that brief scuffle late in the game. Once again he brought plenty of aggression in open play. He produced a neat offload for Damian de Allende’s try and he applied plenty of pressure when it was the Wallabies’ turn to throw in at the line-out.
7/10

3 Frans Malherbe
Another strong performance in the scrums. He was on the field for about 65 minutes, which must be close to a record for him. he hardly put a foot wrong in open play.
7/10

2 Malcolm Marx
His line-out throwing was impeccable apart from one overthrow. He just gave the Springboks an extra physical edge in tight exchanges, especially with some powerful tackles. The Wallabies also had to use a lot of energy to stop him at the breakdowns.
7/10

1 Steven Kitshoff
It was a huge shift from the prop. He was on the field for over 70 minutes. He was an immovable object in the scrums and also applied some pressure around the rucks. The big man also put his body on the line with some aggressive carries.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Deon Fourie (on for Siyamthanda Kolisi, 70th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Retshegofaditswe Nche (On for Steven Kitshoff, 73rd minute)
(Not enough time to be rated.

18 Trevor Nyakane (On for Frans Malherbe 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

19 Albertus Smith (on for Lodewyk de Jager, 58th minute)
He just brings plenty of energy when he comes onto the field. He made several big tackles and kept the Wallabies on their toes when he had ball in hand.
6.5/10

20 Duane Vermeulen (On for Jasper Wiese, 60th min)
Nothing much to write home about. However, he brought the physicality when it was needed.

21 Jacobus Reinach (On for Jaden Hendrikse, 73rd minute)
Not enough time to be rated

22 Francois Steyn (On for Jesse Kriel, 70th minute)
Not enough time to be rated

23 Warrick Gelant
Not used