Following the Springboks’ nightmarish display against Australia at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, here is how we rated Rassie Erasmus’ charges.
Erasmus’ Springboks delivered a rotten performance en-route to an embarrassing loss against Wallabies in this Rugby Championship opener.
The Wallabies were superb in the second half. They not only kept the Springboks scoreless, they scored 38 unanswered points to record their first Test win on South African soil in 14 years and only a second-ever triumph at Ellis Park.
With that in mind, here’s how the Springbok players rated individually.
SPRINGBOKS’ PLAYER RATINGS VS AUSTRALIA
15. Aphelele Fassi – 7
He helped set up an early try for Kurt-Lee Arendse, and was safe under the high ball all game. Fassi didn’t do his status as incumbent Springbok fullback any damage.
14. Edwill van der Merwe – 7
Standing in for Cheslin Kolbe, who was held back for this game, van der Merwe was fast, elusive and clinical. And with each performance in the green and gold, he is staking a more serious claim for a starting role.
13. Jesse Kriel – 7
Kriel was excellent again. He made key tackles and passes. And defensively, he made some great reads that shut down threatening Wallaby attacks. Although it was his missed tackle on Tom Wright that was primarily responsible for the Wallabies’ fourth try, which put the visitors in the lead for the first time in the match around the 63rd minute.
12. Andre Esterhuizen – 8
He did exactly what you would expect from the world-class number 12. Esterhuizen rushed the gainline, dominated the contact zone and shifted seamlessly between attack and defence. He capped off his performance with a first-ever Test try.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
Another Test cap marked with another Test try for Arendse and he beat a couple of defenders to score it. Along with Van der Merwe and absent Kolbe, fleet-footed
10. Manie Libbok – 6
Erratic off the tee again, but solid in open play. And that is the issue, South Africa didn’t need solid from their playmaker, they needed outstanding. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t provide that spark today.
9. Grant Williams – 7
Williams wasn’t at his electric best, but tactically he was one of the few standout performers in the Springboks’ ranks.
8. Siya Kolisi – 7
The skipper led from the front with 34 carries and a top solo try. His tireless engine and ability to recycle possession were pivotal.
He combined muscle with smart running lines and contributed well in both attack and defense.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 5
Arguably the world’s best player, but today Du Toit had an uncharacteristically quiet game. He was inexplicably subdued. Ran brilliantly in the wider channels, but that left the team vulnerable around the ruck area.
6. Marco van Staden – 5
Another one who was solid in the Springboks’ dominant first half, but faded into obscurity in the second, much like most of his teammates.
5. Lood de Jager – 7
As he works his way back to full match-fitness, De Jager continues to rise his performance levels with each game he plays. He made six dominant tackles before he was subbed off.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 6
Again, prominent in the first half, poor in the second. The Springbok enforcer lacked the physical dominance that he so often displays.
3. Wilco Louw – 6
Like the rest of the front row, Louw wasn’t bad, but they weren’t excellent and in top form either.
2. Malcolm Marx – 6
The fulfilled his primary role throughout his time on the field, but South Africa required Marx to play like an extra loose forward around the breakdown area and he didn’t step up.
1. Ox Nche – 6
The Ox was good at scrum time, but he wasn’t as industrious a runner as he could have been.
Replacements:
The less said and or written about the replacements’ impact – or lack thereof – on this game, the better.
16. Bongi Mbonambi – 5
17. Boan Venter – 5
18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – 5
19. Franco Mostert – 5
20. Kwagga Smith – 6
21. Cobus Reinach – 6
22. Canan Moodie – 6
23. Damian Willemse – 5
THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE SPRINGBOKS’ DEFEAT WAS … ?
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