Following the 35-20 Rugby Championship loss to the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, here is how we rated the Springboks.
15 Willie le Roux: A mixed bag for the veteran full-back who got the Springboks out of some sticky situations through his brilliant left boot. However, he also had slips defensively, failing to stop Will Jordan in the build-up to the first try, got bumped out the way for Shannon Frizell’s score and really could have done better to deny Jordan later on in the game. He did throw a great pass, which might have been forward, to assist Cheslin Kolbe and got the Bok attack progressing well in the second half. 5
14 Cheslin Kolbe: One of the Springbok try scorers and unlucky to not have two. Kolbe was a real attacking threat each time he touched the ball and was one of the better defenders, too, despite being unable to stop the rampaging Frizell early on. Up there with the best of the Springboks in defeat. 8
Under par performances
13 Lukhanyo Am: The centre usually produces some of his best moments against the All Blacks, but it wasn’t to be this time. He did manage to beat a few defenders with some swift footwork, but overall it was a below-standard performance from Am. He still hasn’t quite got back to his best on both sides of the ball. 5
12 Damian de Allende: The powerful inside centre impressed when he did get his hands on the ball, drawing in multiple defenders. He made a great tackle and turnover on Rieko Ioane but also had some soft moments, including a silly knock-on from the goal-line dropout. One of the better performers in the backs but far from his best. 6
11 Makazole Mapimpi: He was absolutely everywhere if you believed the New Zealand commentators, who evidently decided that every black player on the ball was the left wing. In fact, it was actually a forgettable and quiet game from the veteran speedster whose reads on defence weren’t quite up to scratch; he dropped a high ball he would normally gobble up and saw little ball on attack. Pressure is on from the younger wingers in the squad. 4
10 Damian Willemse: Like most of his teammates, Willemse grew in the game after a poor start. He did, however, have instances in the first half where he looked rattled and tried to force it. 5
Underwhelming
9 Faf de Klerk: While New Zealand dominated the game’s opening stages, De Klerk did not help the Springboks get back in the match as several of his kicks were off the mark. He also horribly missed a kick to touch and slipped off numerous tackles, including the one of Frizell, which the flanker scored from. Not De Klerk’s finest Test. 4
8 Jasper Wiese: He had little influence in the first half as the All Blacks dominated possession, with Wiese making some decent shots on defence. However, he made a silly lunge on Willemse’s poor pass from a quick lineout and made other errors, including a few defensive lapses. Replaced early in the second half due to injury. 5
7 Franco Mostert: Substituted shortly into the second half after the Springboks spent most of the first forty defending. Mostert produced his usual high work-rate for the Boks but had little success. The South Africans were bossed at the breakdown and on the gain line in the first half in particular. 4
Best from pack
6 Kwagga Smith: A tireless performance from the former Blitzbok who continually thundered into tackles attempting to force a turnover or hold up the ball carrier. He had little success at the breakdown but constantly looked to slow the All Blacks attack and scored a late try with a rampaging run after grabbing a turnover. One of the Boks’ best. 7
5 Lood de Jager: Replaced shortly after half-time in an underwhelming shift from the usually excellent lock. He denied any chance of a potential try before the break as his neck roll stopped the review of Etzebeth’s score. He was busy defensively, making 10 tackles in 44 minutes, but he was far better last year in Green and Gold. 4
4 Eben Etzebeth: A tough day for the stand-in Springboks captain, who started the Test despite his father’s passing earlier in the week. The second-rower landed a few massive tackles throughout the game and got stuck into the rucks – a big effort in defeat from the lock. 6
Front-row
3 Frans Malherbe: Aaron Smith bought a penalty out of some lazy running from the Bok tighthead prop. He also conceded a penalty at scrum time while holding his own against Ethan de Groot. He made a crucial cover tackle on Jordie Barrett clinging onto the All Blacks centre’s jersey to deny the line break. 5
2 Bongi Mbonambi: A relatively quiet performance from the Springbok hooker, who was far more accurate at the lineout compared to last week but spent most of his shift defending. He did miss three of his seven attempted tackles. 4
1 Steven Kitshoff: One of the best Springboks over the ball throughout his shift. His 60-minute performance included some hefty hits and turnovers while he was unlucky to have an early scrum penalty go against him. He and Tyrel Lomax engaged in a fierce battle in the scrums, with neither dominating. 6
Replacements: While the ‘Bomb Squad’ looked nuclear on paper, they were left with far too much to do to swing the game into the Springboks’ favour. However, the Boks were better in the second half, and players like Duane Vermeulen, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Malcolm Marx and RG Snyman played a significant role in the improved performance. 7
READ MORE: All Blacks make statement with dominant victory over the Springboks
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