Player Ratings: No clean sweep for Boks
OPINION: South Africa failed to complete a clean sweep over England at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Instead, courtesy of some brilliant goal-kicking by Owen Farrell and a Jonny May try, the Springboks went down 10-25 to England in the final June Test series match.
A win for the hosts would have been amazing especially with the news that the encounter could be the last Test match ever played at Newlands.
The result means South Africa win the Series 2-1.
Leezil Hendricks rates the South African players!
15 Warrick Gelant
Showed maturity under the high ball. Not only did he impress with his side-steps but the fullback also displayed great strength with a hand-off on Owen Farrell in the first half. In the second half, the fullback’s grubber was instrumental in Jesse Kriel’s try. But with the switch to wing, his performance faded in the last 20 minutes and conceded two silly penalties.
7
14 Sibusiso Nkosi
Looked keen to get involved, had a couple of great runs and showed vision when he put in a vital grubber which could have resulted in a try at the closing stages of the first half.
6
13 Jesse Kriel
Had a quiet first half but gradually worked himself in the match. He had a valid try-scoring opportunity, along with Sibusiso Nkosi, in the first half, but the Jonny May’s crucial defence came up on tops. However, the centre’s second-half performance was much better and scored the Springboks’ only try in the 45th minute.
6
12 André Esterhuizen
Good test, but not a great one. Had some good runs in the second half but struggled to find space. He did put in a noteworthy defensive performance.
5
11 Aphiwe Dyantyi
Less involved than the other wing Nkosi, his first real moment was in the second half with an impressive line break. However, failed to make an impact.
4
10 Elton Jantjies
Had a horrendous performance, which included a missed penalty kick in the opening minutes. Also had two catastrophic moments under the high ball.
4
9 Faf de Klerk
His box kicks weren’t as accurate as last week. Made some silly errors but put in a few huge tackles – which include the massive hit on No.8 Nathan Hughes.
7
8 Duane Vermeulen
The No.8 bit farewell to the Series with yet another a solid performance. Wasn’t that spectacular as last week but instrumental at the breakdown battle, vital on attack and managed to steal a line-out!
7
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Whether at flank or at the lock, Du Toit’s work rate is impeccable. His cover defence in the opening minutes nullified Johnny May’s opportunity to score points. He made some strong carries with ball in hand and was solid in defence.
8
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
Seems like the breakdown battle kept him busy. He was absent as a captain and failed to lead the team as well as he did in the two previous matches. Subbed after 65 minutes.
5
5 Franco Mostert
Did the basics well, had some carries and set up the Boks try. Was also solid in defence and at line-outs.
5
4 RG Snyman
Similar to his lock partner, Snyman did the basics well, he had a noteworthy run but didn’t bring anything extra.
5
3 Frans Malherbe
Solid shift but failed to make an impact especially in terms of scrummaging. He put in five tackles before he was subbed after 55 minutes.
4
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle
The hooker’s line-out throws were solid, however, he was too over-enthusiastic and conceded silly penalties which handed England a 6-0 lead.
3
1 Tendai Mtawarira
Failed to produce effective carries and struggled to gain the upper hand over England’s prop Kyle Sinckler.
4
Replacements:
16 Schalk Brits (On for Ralepelle, 44th minute)
First touch was a line-out throw which was a perfect platform for the first try of the match. His mobility did not quite suit the wet conditions but a notable impact when he came on.
6
17 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 44th minutes)
Made his presence felt immediately with some huge tackles. He did concede a questionable scrum penalty but other than that the prop proved to be a great replacement.
6
18 Thomas du Toit (on for Malherbe, 44th minutes)
Didn’t make a massive impact, but made a few tackles in open play
5
19 Jean-Luc du Preez (On for Snyman, 58th minutes)
Showed great work rate with a couple of runs and solid tackles.
5
20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (on for Kolisi, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Embrose Papier (on for De Klerk, 75th minutes)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Handré Pollard (on for Jantjies, 58th minute)
The crowd erupted when the flyhalf entered the field. Struggled with his first touches but eventually found his feet and added some value.
5
23 Willie le Roux (On for Nkosi, 50th Minute)
Not perfect but was showed real intent in terms of his attack. Unfortunately his knock-on aided the Jonny May try.
6
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