Player ratings: Boks come to the party

Much like they have done on so many occasions in the past, just when even the most die hard supporters begin to doubt the Springboks’ capabilities, they produce a fantastic performance against their arch rivals New Zealand.

The Boks were superb on defence and although there were some breaches, the covering defenders made some crucial tackles when the All Blacks entered the strike zone.

While it wasn’t a completely polished performance, there was a lot of things to be pleased about for the South Africans, who calmly kicked the points that were on offer and tackled the life out of the All Blacks.

Heinrich Brüssow’s work at the breakdown was the highlight of the match and while the attack wasn’t able to produce a try, there were some encouraging signs moving into the all important World cup.

Timmy Hancox rates the Springbok players.

15 Pat Lambie: (Replaced by François Hougaard after 20 minutes)
Looked good on the couple of occasions he had the ball in his hands and has a cool head for a 20-year-old. Difficult to give a proper review of only the first 20 minutes of the match. 6/10

14 JP Pietersen:
Had the difficult task of moving to fullback when Lambie went off and performed well in a position he hasn’t played in for some time. Showed good awareness, looked for work and was strong on his feet, but perhaps more impressive was the way he dealt with the way the All Blacks targeted him with a few high bombs. 7/10

13 Jaque Fourie:
Made two crucial interceptions on defence in the first half and was the general organising the defence brilliantly to close down several of the All Blacks’ best scoring opportunities. Didn’t have as much work to do on attack, but he is worth his weight in gold in the Bok midfield. 8/10

12 Jean de Villiers:
Was far more creative and less one-dimensional that he has appeared at times. He will be happy to have had the ball in his hands to play more often than in most of last year. Some committed tackling and chasing the high ball with disregard for his own safety. 7/10

11 Bryan Habana:
Started with a fantastic cover tackle on Jimmy Cowan to stop the All Blacks scoring inside the first five minutes and built his game from there. There were limited attacking opportunities for him on the left wing and he still charges out of the defensive line on occasion, but he ran his heart for the team. Looked more like the Habana of old than he has for some time. 8/10

10 Morné Steyn:
Questions have been asked of the pivot in the last few weeks and he delivered when it counted just before the World Cup. Landed all of his penalties under immense pressure, a few of which were from a long way out. One out of two drop-goals to help him grow in confidence, but the most pleasing thing was seeing him spending more time standing further up on attack and better decision-making of when to kick or pass. 7/10

9 Fourie du Preez: Controlled proceedings well and did the basics right, but didn’t quite look himself for long periods of the match. No costly errors, but he lacked the x-factor that he is so often associated with. 6/10

8 Pierre Spies:
More involved in the physical exchanges and didn’t wilt and disappear when the going got tough. Some strong ball carries and did what was required of him without really imposing himself and stealing the show. 6/10

7 Willem Alberts: (Replaced by Ashley Johnson after 67 minutes)
A quality defensive effort and produced some important tackles during his time on the park without being used as a receiver. A solid performance, but he did drift in and out of the game here an there while he shook off some rust. 6/10

6 Heinrich Brüssow: (Off for 10 minutes with blood)
Kicked in face early on and covered in blood for most of the game, while he turned the game on its head. Few players are capable of having such a great influence on a match, but Brüssow is one of them. Without Richie McCaw in the opposition ranks he was in his element creating turnovers from nothing and within the laws of the game without giving away needless penalties. In crucial phases he was always on hand to steal the ball like a thief in the night. Tackled well knocking down runners twice his size and did everything you could ask of him and then some more. 10/10

5 Victor Matfield:
Reminded everybody why he is so highly rated and was pure class in open play with a safe pair of hands and produced some great tackling. Not his best day in the line-outs, but no glaring mistakes to cause any real concerns. His leadership was faultless he will be delighted with his final match on South African soil. 7/10

4 Bakkies Botha: (Replaced by Danie Rossouw after 47 minutes – with a 10 min reversal for blood)
He was in the thick of things doing what he does best in the engine room and cleaning out rucks to keep the Kiwis honest. Launched himself into a few massive tackles and was a mountain of strength in every physical exchange. 8/10

3 Jannie du Plessis: (Replaced by CJ van der Linde after 69 minutes)
There may be a shortage of top class tighthead props in South Africa, but the good doctor proved that there is at least one. An incredible scrumming performance against the fearsome All Blacks front row. He won a tighthead scrum and a penalty for his team with the assistance of the rest of the Bok tight five. Some useful ball carries and he isn’t a liability on defence like many other tighthead props.  9/10

2 Bismarck du Plessis: (Replaced by John Smit after 61 minutes)
As strong as an ox and capable of creating as many turnovers as a loose forward. The muscular hooker was menacing with ball in hand is just so strong that he is difficult to stop when he was some momentum going forward. A few missed line-out throws did take a little of the shine off of an otherwise excellent performance. His appetite more game time was evident in his obvious displeasure when he was replaced. 8/10

1 Gurthrö Steenkamp: (Replaced by Tendai Mtawarira at half time)
A pillar of strength in the early scrums and had the better of John Afoa in their dealings, while he was solid as a rock as a ball carrier. A far improved performance from last week’s cameo and he can crash over the advantage line with the best of them. 7/10

Replacements:

16 John Smit: (On after 61 minutes for Bismarck du Plessis
A short stint off the bench, but a solid performance and when he is playing at hooker he is world class in the scrums. Found his line-out jumpers and provided some stability at the death. 6/10

17 Tendai Mtawarira: (On for Gurthrö Steenkamp at half time)
A fantastic performance at scrum time and few props are able to brag about forcing Ben Franks to buckle. Without any opportunities to go one of his charging runs down the field, but used his strength to smash All Black runners in the tackle. 7/10

18 CJ van der Linde: (On after 69 minutes for Jannie du Plessis.
Not enough time to be rated

19 Danie Rossouw: (on for Bakkies Boths after 47 minutes – with a 10 min reversal for blood)
Hit the rucks hard and made his tackles, but struggled to impose himself on the opposition and. 6/10

20 Ashley Johnson: (On for 10 minutes while Brüssow was patched up and then after 67 minutes for Willem Alberts)
Attempted one unsuccessful kick and he wasn’t given the freedom to build up a head of steam and run over the opposition. Without making any notable errors he didn’t let anybody down. 6/10

21 François Hougaard: (On after 20 minutes for Pat Lambie)
Full of energy from start to finish and watched the dangerous Hosea Gear like a Hawk. His ability to fill in at scrumhalf and provide a quick crisp pass was valuable in the fast paced game. Determined tackling and willingness to run into gaps made him a handful and his versatility was a major asset. 7/10

22 Butch James:
Not used