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How South Africa's players rated versus Canada

South Africa's Damian Willemse scores his team's ninth try versus Canada in Kobe (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

South Africa made a big statement with their 66-7 win over Canada. Rassie Erasmus’ side were ruthless as they ran 10 tries past the 14-man Canucks and the win means the Boks booked their spot in the quarter-finals. Here’s how they rated: 

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15. Damian Willemse – 8/10

Was constantly looking for work. He made a couple of good runs and managed to beat a few defenders in the process.  Also scored his first Test try in a Springboks jersey. Certainly a good replacement for Wille Le Roux.

14. Warrick Gelant – 6 

Neatly collected Elton Jantjies’ cross-kick which prompted Cobus Reinach’s try. The utility back also got his name on the scoresheet by battling past a couple of defenders before he touched down.

13. Damian de Allende – 7 

Took his try well and looked comfortable at outside centre. He made a couple of good breaks and got the team over the advantage line. He also scored the Springboks’ first try.

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12. Frans Steyn – 8 

Safe in the midfield. He was busy throughout the match and scored an intercept try.  His experience really boosted the backline.

(Continue reading below…)

11. Sibusiso Nkosi – 7 

Great under the high ball and looked dangerous with the ball in the hand. He showed great skills during an offload and scored a try. Certainly made his case for the No11 jersey.

10. Elton Jantjies – 8 

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Great support play. The flyhalf missed two kick at the posts but made up for it in other areas. His kicks out of the hand were impressive and he got the team in the right areas. Overall a solid game.

9. Cobus Reinach – 9

He scored the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. Dictated proceedings and his box-kicks were executed very well. Was one of his best performances in a Springboks jersey.

8. Francois Louw – 7

Safe pair of hands and one the best loose forwards on the park. He made a handful of tackles and only missed one.

7. Kwagga Smith – 6

The flanker was very quiet and butchered a try with a knock-on. Tried to be more effective in the second half but struggled with the greasy ball.

6. Sisi Kolisi (capt) – 6 

Similar to Smith, he was anonymous and failed to assert himself throughout the game. Made a couple of runs but nothing extraordinary.

5. Franco Mostert – 7 

Made a couple of lineout steals but conceded two unforced penalties in the second half. Nonetheless, the lock has been very good throughout the tournament and continues to impress with each game.

4. Rudolph Snyman – 9

One of the best players on the park. The lock was in fine form, making a couple of good breaks and throwing a few offloads. Despite falling short of the try line, the tall figure set up a couple of tries.

3. Vincent Koch – 6

Made some good tackles and was solid in the scrums before being replaced after just 50 minutes.

2. Schalk Brits – 7

Had a niggle or two but managed to hold his own in the scrums. The hooker also scored his second World Cup try – becoming the second-oldest try scorer in World Cup history.

1. Thomas du Toit – 6

Scrummaged well and was very mobile with a couple of strong carries. Was certainly an extra advantage on the pitch.

Replacements:

16. Malcolm Marx (for Brits, 57 mins) – 6

Ran an excellent line and also directed one rolling maul very well.

17. Steven Kitshoff (for du Toit, 53) – 6

Made a couple of good carries while on the field.

18. Frans Malherbe (for Koch, 53) – 6

Was very effective and scored a try thanks to a powerful carry.

21. Herschel Jantjies (for Reinach, 50) – 6

Kept up the fast pace with quick ball from the base. Despite not scoring he generally carried on where Reinach left off.

22. Handre Pollard (for de Allende, 62) – 6

Ran a few good lines.

19. Eben Etzebeth, 20. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 23. Willie le Roux – Not Used

rugby365.com

WATCH: RugbyPass gets the fans’ verdict following South Africa’s easy win over Canada

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RW 13 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

It's funny you say that boet, it's one thing to say “We are the best team in the world and yet still do no better than your predecessors” and still fail at a QF game in a RWC for instance.

It's another thing to not only say but also to show HOW you are the best team in the World by winning a RWC twice in a row which is what both NZ and RSA have done.


So yes it could be arrogance on the part of Boks and Blacks but we have a legitimate reason for feeling that way. Whereas Ireland never have. In fact in terms of WCs, they have only ever done better than Italy regarding the Six Nations teams.

England have been in at least three finals, won one.

France have been in three finals, although they lost all of them, Wales have been in at least two Semi Finals, Scotland one Semi Final.

Even amongst your peers, you guys are at the back. So I don't see what reason you have be arrogant and yet, and yet you are.


Yes you win when the ultimate pressure is not on you. Pool games, three match series, autumn series, etc, URC and EPCR pool games. But when it comes to highest tier stakes, you don't have the ability to capitalize.


It's not how you start that matters, although it does help, but how you finish. I am reminded of Munster from 2023, playing seven away games in a row and managing to win all of them on the trot including a final. That one hurt because it was against my team the Stormers.


But the stats don't even help your case. So there is a difference between “arrogance” based on fact and that based on feeling.

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R
RedWarriors 1 hour ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I can read out the headlines to you in all the National Irish Papers and none were complacent. To say they were is a fabrication pure and simple. People (including you) saying that Irish media are arrogant does not actually equate to Irish media being arrogant.

Since Ireland beat NZ in the 2022 series Irish supporters have had to deal with these accusations of arrogance. Out of nowhere. If you wish the International game to grow then please dont make supporting rugby this unpleasant for emerging nations.

Lets look at the Wales match in the 6N. One Irish podcast took the piss. 99% were completely respectful to Wales a few actually doing useful research in which Irish successes could be transferrable to Wales and which couldn’t.

Ofcourse the internet lit up. Ireland were arroagant. The Telegraph did a big column on it. Their substantiation? The same off the ball piss take and some hearsay about one Irish supporter at the Ireland/Scotland RWC match.

Things were dying down when Pundit Brian O’Driscoll claimed he read the Telegraph article and thought Irish supporters needed to have a good look at themselves. Everything was about that one piss take. And so what? Every Scots and irish supporter knows that the Welsh took no prisoners taking the piss during their scores of victories over us over the years. They like a bit of fun.


Next time you want to accuse Irish of arrogance then read all the articles and make that decision. Otherwise its disingenious.

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