Player ratings: One-way traffic

OPINION: South African had no trouble to dispose of their Africa neighbours Namibia 57-3 in their World Cup Pool B match on Saturday.

For perspective, it has to be accepted that Namibia put up only token resistance for most of the game – with rare spurts of energy.

While it is a large win, it also showed up some of the same weaknesses that have so far bedevilled the Bok game this year.

Jan de Koning rates the South African players!

15 Warrick Gelant:
Looked full of running, making cleans breaks and beating defenders. However, seemed selfish at times, allowing promising moves to end prematurely. His hands also let him down at times.
6/10

14 Sibusiso Nkosi:
Even though the ball didn’t go his way as much as it did to the other wing, showed that perhaps he deserves more game time and perhaps even a start with the A-Team. Not just is he more energetic than most, but also more skilful.
6/10

13 Lukhanyo Am:
In such a dominant performance, it was expected he would have a field day and at times he didn’t disappoint. He even won a turnover.
6/10

12 Frans Steyn:
Provided the variety and error-free game that has been lacking in the inside centre channel all year long. His booming boot also added value. Certainly put his hand up for a start in the ‘A-Team’.
7/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi:
Given the amount of possession that flowed his way, one would have expected his stats to look much better. Satisfactory, when it should have been sublime.
6/10

10 Elton Jantjies:
Perhaps tried too hard to put down a marker and produced a somewhat erratic showing – some good moments, interspersed with some real shockers.
5/10

9 Herschel Jantjies:
Also looked very energetic, but his concentration was not what you would have expected from a player pushing for a starting spot.
6/10

8 Schalk Brits (captain):
Showed why, earlier in his career, there were calls for him to be converted to a midfield player. He has all the skills, to go along with the vision and the energy. Gives new meaning to the term ‘X-factor’.
9/10

7 Albertus Smith:
Perhaps not as visible as his captain, but no less valuable – beat three defenders, made two clean breaks, eight tackles and even won a turnover.
7/10

6 Francois Louw:
Had a field day at the breakdown, winning a number of turnovers, beat four defenders and made two clean breaks.
7/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager:
Apart from his captain, the Springboks’ most productive player. He produced 14 carries, beating a couple of defenders, making a clean break and even winning a turnover.
8/10

4 Rudolph Snyman:
He relished the free space on offer in such an open game, also winning three turnovers.
7/10

3 Vincent Koch:
Laid a solid platform with his destructive scrumming and put his hand up for a starting spot on the big games.
6/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi:
Great workrate, enjoying a couple of armchair rides to the tryline and making all of his tackles.
6/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
The Beast needed this game. Some of his form is returning and while he didn’t make many metres with his five carries, he absolutely loved the scrum contest.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Steven Kitshoff (on for Mtawarira, 70th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Thomas du Toit (on for Koch, 46th minute):
Had a few decent carries, but did not provide the same scrum dominance the Boks enjoyed while Koch was on the field.
5/10

18 Eben Etzebeth (on for Snyman, 58th minute):
Behaved like a bit of a schoolyard bully by pushing and shoving players. Made just two carries and one tackle in his 20-odd minutes.
5/10

19 Siya Kolisi (on for Smith, 53rd minute):
Relished the open nature of the game and desperately needed the additional game time. Made all his tackles, won a turnover and scored a try.
6/10

20 Franco Mostert (on for Mbonambi, 64th minute):
Not a great workrate, given that the game was truly over as a contest. Made all his tackles.
5/10

21 Cobus Reinach (on for H Jantjies, 57th minute):
Showed the tactical kicking game and variety that was absent last week and the first hour of this game. One nice clean break.
7/10

22 Damian de Allende (on for Am, 56th minute):
Showed glimpses of the passing game he possessed in the early stages of his career.
6/10

23 Cheslin Kolbe:
Not used.

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