Player ratings: Bomb squad exploded ... again

OPINION: It was not perfect and it was perhaps more of a slog than most pundits would have expected.

However, South Africa wrapped up their three-Test series against Wales with a 30-14 win in Cape Town on Saturday.

There were some promising signs that the Springboks are improving, but it was the famous Bomb Squad that secured this win.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Damian Willemse
Great chasing and beating player in the air. Was moved to inside centre after Kolbe left the field. Produced a big hit on defence under pressure deep inside Bok territory. Made great calls on defence and some impressive carries.
8/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe
Was exposed on defence a few times and left the field with a suspected jaw fracture after just 20 minutes.
5/10

13 Lukhanyo Am
Sublime chip for Mapimpi, who just put a foot into touch. He struggled when he moved to the wing and made some errors in judgement.
5/10

12 Damian de Allende
Had a couple of powerful carries. However, conceded a few penalties and missed as many tackles as he made.
5/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
Chased hard and tackled well. Was penalised for head contact late in first half and lost his contest with George North.
5/10

10 Handre Pollard
His kicking was far more clinical and ran into the gap between two forwards for the opening try. However, made some poor decisions and while better, still not up to his World Cup standard.
6/10

9 Jaden Hendrikse
Showed a great turn of pace down the right wing, but unfortunately, the pass to Am was forward. Did the basics well, but conceded a few turnovers.
6/10

8 Jasper Wiese
Impressive with the ball in hand, with 11 carries in the first half. Made his tackles and worked hard at the breakdown, but conceded two turnovers. Subbed just before half-time.
6/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
His work on defence and wi ball in hand is improving. He clearly enjoys the additional game time at this level. However, he conceded a soft penalty after a warning as well as a couple of turnovers.
6/10

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain)
His best game of the season. Some really powerful carries and crucial try. It was not flawless, but his work rate was impressive.
7/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager
Was powerful with ball in hand, making some decent metres with a couple of his runs. Did his work in the set pieces and slipped just one tackle.
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
Showed great endeavour and had plenty of carries. Showed good turn of pace and made all his tackles. Some great pressure at the breakdown and a crucial charge down early in the second half when Wales looked to be having the momentum.
8/10

3 Frans Malherbe
Unfortunately his work rate outside of the set pieces – where he was impressive – remains a concern.
6/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi
Great in the set pieces and good value for his try. Didn’t get many metres for his five carries, but made all his tackles.
6/10

1 Trevor Nyakane
Powerful scrumming – again showed he is comfortable on both the tighthead and (in this case) loosehead side. However, he also penalised at a couple of scrums. His work rate outside the set pieces also still a concerns.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx (on for Mbonambi – 45th min)
Brought the power game, with some very impressive carries – especially in the final 10 minutes. Also won a crucial turnover penalty.
7/10

17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Nyakane – 45th min)
Not his usual self, making no impact with ball in hand. Another player who needs to improve his work rate.
5/10

18 Vincent Koch (on for Malherbe – 45th min)
Some impressive carrying and a high work rate, with his only downside the two missed tackles.
6/10

19 Franco Mostert (on for Eben Etzebeth- 61st min)
Brought some energy, but a penalty at a maul late in the second half and a missed the let-downs.
5/10

20 Albertus Smith (on for Wiese – 39th min)
His first action was winning a turnover inside his own 22 and then another crucial turnover close to his line n the final 10 minutes. Plenty of energy and made good ground with ball in hand. Add in his seven tackles and he was the most productive player for the Boks.
9/10

21 Elrigh Louw (on for Du Toit – 77th min)
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Francois de Klerk (on for Hendrikse – 65th min)
Did the basics well and was a menace on defence.
6/10

23 Willie le Roux (on for Kolbe – 21st min)
Solid at the back and brought some much-needed energy on attack. His vision added a real threat to the Bok attack.
7/10

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