Player Ratings: Zeros to Heroes

OPINION: The Springboks pulled off a shock 36-34 victory over the world champion All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

No one expected the scoreline, especially with Springboks fresh from back-to-back defeats to Argentina and Australia.

Leezil Hendricks rates the South African players.

15 Willie le Roux
The fullback’s impact could not be underestimated. He put in a much better performance and as the game progressed his workrate picked up – a constant menace on attack. A few good grubbers, one which resulted in his own try. However, his yellow card late marred the overall solid performance.
8/10

14 Jesse Kriel
Not his usual position but he looked good on the wing and put his opposite number Rieko Ioane under huge pressure. His tackles on Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor deserve a mention. Impressive overall performance.
7/10

13 Lukhanyo Am
The midfielder made some good runs but was exposed on defence and was replaced at half-time.
5/10

12 Damian de Allende
The centre was hot and cold. He made some good tackles but was not very influential and left the field before the 50th minute.
5/10

11 Aphiwe Dyantyi
Defensively he was exposed and two tries were scored via his channel. However, with the ball in hand, it seems like the wing can’t stop scoring tries. He scored a brace of tries and broke the defensive line on a few occasions.
7/10

10 Handré Pollard
From the Kick-off, he overcooked the ball and handed a scrum to the All Blacks – the worst start for the for the flyhalf. However, he quickly made up for it with successful kicks from the tee.
7/10

9 Faf de Klerk
A much better performance from De Klerk. Put in some crucial tackles however his box-kicks are still a major concern. However, he outperformed one of the world’s best scrumhalves.
7/10

8 Warren Whiteley
Had a good game, a little bit outshone by Pieter Steph du Toit. However gradually worked himself into the game and made valuable tackles, a very effective defender. His leadership when Kolisi left the field was also vital.
7/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Was one of the stand-outs on the field. He was constantly looking for work whether it was on defence or even on attack. His tackle count was 28 and truly showed more guts compared to his loose forward partners.
9/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
The captain played well in patches but failed to deliver his usual robust performance.
6/10

5 Franco Mostert
Put in yet another good performance. The lock was involved in everything and was really effective on the field. Was influential in the rolling maul which resulted in Malcolm Marx try and kept the physicality  throughout the 80 minutes.
9/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
Put in a valid performance was very physical and his carries were very effective,  had some trouble securing the ball when it came to line-outs.
7/10

3 Frans Malherbe
Workrate on defefence was good and produced a strong performance in the scrums. In the first 40-minutes did not do much, however, picked it up in the second stanza
6/10

2 Malcolm Marx
The hooker’s overall performance was impressive. He made 15 meters and scored a try. His work at the breakdown was vital, especially where the loose trio was. But the line-out throwing is still a concern.
9/10

1 Steven Kitshoff
As usual, his scrummaging was good and was tremendous on the defence. He made some valuable carries but conceded some silly penalties.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Bongi Mbonambi (on for Marx, 68th minutes)
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Tendai Mtawarira (on for Kitshoff, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Wilco Louw (on for Malherbe, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

19 Rudolph Snyman (on for Etzebeth, 50th minute)
Managed to make an impact. Was solid on defence and only conceded one penalty.
6/10

20 Francois Louw (on for Kolisi, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Ross Cronje
Not used

22 Elton Jantjies (on for De Allende, 47th minute)
Was nervous at first but quickly worked himself in the match and made some good carries. Defence is still a concern.
6/10

23 Cheslin Kolbe (on for Am, 40th minute)
Came on the field at the start of the second half and within a minutes the until back intercept a pass and outpace Beauden Barrett for a try. Also made a crucial try-saving tackle on Rieko Ioane.
7/10

By Leezil Hendricks
@leezil07
@rugby365com