OPINION: The Springboks produced a clinical performance to beat the Wallabies 33-7 in their Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
Rassie Erasmus’ side never really looked troubled throughout the game and their speed and power proved to be too much for Joe Schmidt’s side.
Check out the Player Ratings below:
15 Willie le Roux
The veteran fullback showed why he is such an integral part of South Africa’s attacking system. He joined the attacking line on several occasions which caused the Wallaby defenders plenty of problems and his distribution was excellent. He did mess up a try-scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when he didn’t feed the ball on his outside, but it was a great performance.
8/10
14 Cheslin Kolbe
He raised eyebrows when he popped up in the scrumhalf position for the first scrum of the game and found himself in other positions on the field towards the end of the game after a flurry of yellow cards. However, he was a livewire when the ball went his way and he managed to beat a few defenders when he ran at the Wallabies’ defence with pace.
7.5/10
13 Jesse Kriel
The Springboks’ defence was well organised out wide and you could see him directing his teammates to get into position in that area. His passing and vision on attack were noticeable and he had a great eye for the gap which led to Arendse’s second try. He received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on late in the game.
7.5/10
12 Damian de Allende
When he did have the ball, it took more than one defender to bring him down. He didn’t make the metres as did in previous games, but he was part of a solid defensive system in that midfield.
6.5/10
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
He terrorised the Wallabies on several occasions with some devastating runs. He weaved his way through the Australian defence to score a try in the 35th minute and he got another try in the 64th minute after a great run and pass from Jesse Kriel.
9/10
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
His first shot at goal was a shocker. But it didn’t matter as he produced an attacking masterclass in the No.10 jersey. His passing was excellent, and he reminded everyone of his talent with an excellent break in the 19th minute on attack. He also produced a great final pass to Pieter-Steph du Toit for a try in the 24th minute. He needs to get the No.10 jersey again next weekend.
9/10
9 Cobus Reinach
His service from the base of the ruck was crisp and he had a few great sniping runs which kept the Aussies on their toes.
7/10
8 Elrigh Louw
He can be proud of his first start for the Boks. He had several carries when he was on the field and he made some serious metres with ball in hand. The Bulls star also brought the physicality when it was needed in open play.
8/10
7 Ben-Jason Dixon
He got into the thick of the things from the word go and it was his work on defence that stood out the most. He is growing in confidence and that can only bode well for the Springboks’ depth. The Stormer was also a key figure in the line-outs and he was part of a smart move which led to Siya Kolisi’s try.
7/10
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
It was a great performance by the captain. He found himself in the wider channels on a few occasions again and he carried the ball into contact with aggression. He tackled like a man possessed and he scored a try from a driving maul in the 10th minute.
7.5/10
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit
He moved into the No.5 jersey after RG Snyman was a late withdrawal. He filled that role incredibly. The star forward made more carries than anyone else in the team and he got his side over the gain line each time. He disrupted the Wallabies’ line-out ball and he was a monster on defence. The big man also produced a great running line to pounce on a pass to score in the 24th minute.
9.5/10
4 Eben Etzebeth
His impact on the field was significant. The veteran lock was a colossus in the physical exchanges. He carried the ball eight times for 40 metres. He was also a key presence in the line-outs and the powerful driving mauls, which suffocated the Wallabies.
8.5/10
3 Frans Malherbe
An immovable figure in the scrums and a rock on defence. It was another solid performance by the big man.
7.5/10
2 Bongi Mbonambi
He found his line-out jumpers well when he was on the field and was part of a few powerful driving mauls and scrums. He left the field in the 28th minute, but he returned to the field in the 73rd minute after Malcolm Marx’s yellow card.
6.5/10
1 Ox Nche
He gave Wallaby captain Allan Alaalatoa all sorts of problems at scrum time while he was on the field. He won a number of scrum penalties which helped his team get into good positions on the field. Nche was also a key figure in the mauls as well and he carried the ball powerfully.
9/10
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx (On for Mbonambi, 28th minute)
He brought some aggression and momentum to the physical exchanges when he had ball in hand. He could not find his jumper early in the second half at line-out time and he got a yellow card for a high tackle in the 68th minute. However, it was a solid performance after returning from injury.
7/10
17 Gerhard Steenekamp (On for Nche, 54th minute)
He immediately made his presence felt in the scrums when he came on and he showed his versatility with a great steal at the breakdown in the 58th minute.
7/10.
18 Vincent Koch (On for Malherbe, 54th minute).
Vincent was solid and powerful in the scrums just like Malherbe.
6.5/10
19 Salmaan Moerat (On for Eben Etzebeth, 54th minute)
He didn’t quite have the impact that was needed when he came onto the field, but he was a key defensive figure in the second half.
6/10
20 Marco van Staden (On for Kolisi, 57th minute)
Yellow card for not rolling away in the 72nd minute – Not enough time to be rated.
21 Kwagga Smith (On for Louw, 57th minute)
The veteran loose forward brought some great energy when he joined the action. His speed at the ruck was excellent and he scored one of his team’s tries.
7.5/10
22 Grant Williams (On for Reinach, 52nd minute)
His speed around the fringes troubled the Wallabies and an example of that came in the second half when produced a try assist for Kwagga Smith.
7/10
23 Handré Pollard (on for De Allende 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
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