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South Africa vs England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
By Josh Raisey at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
South Africa maintained their status as the number one side in the world with a 20-29 victory over England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
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In their first meeting since last year’s World Cup semi-final, it was another cagey affair with nothing separating the two sides at the break.
The world champions were able to pull away in the second 40, although they never looked completely comfortable as England kept showing signs that they would claw their way back.
It was a match where South Africa’s world-class operators stood up to be counted though, and produced some moments of absolute class.
Here’s how the Springbok players rated:
1. Ox Nche – 5
Was left isolated after Marcus Smith’s dummied drop-goal in the build-up to the first try of the match. Nasty looking gash on his knee saw him leave the field after half an hour without having a great impact on the game.
2. Bongi Mbonambi – 5.5
Perfect lineout display is a hooker’s bread and butter, so in that regard, Mbonambi can be pleased. May be disappointed with a couple of missed tackles though.
3. Wilco Louw – 8
Playing his first Test since 2021, the Boks’ 50th player this year was brought in to do a job on England’s scrum and was able to deliver by winning two important scrum penalties in the first half to relieve some pressure deep in the Bok half. Left a slight gap for Sam Underhill to exploit for England’s second try but otherwise was industrious in defence, topping his side’s tackle count with 11 when he left the field after 42 minutes, which may have been above and beyond what Rassie Erasmus was expecting from him. Found himself back on late in the match, and was pinged for holding on.
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4. Eben Etzebeth – 8
Towered over England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet at the ruck, and quite simply terrorised his box-kicking, which led to the Boks’ second try (although that pressure did abate). Didn’t make the evening for England’s hookers much easier either. Chased kicks all evening and competed well with Freddie Steward in the air. Made some errors, including an uncharacteristic knock-on just to remind us all that he is indeed human still.
5. RG Snyman – 8
Stole an early lineout when England were in a good position and was able to stretch his legs with some galloping runs. His offloading game is invaluable in the tight in Test rugby. Partnered with some brutal hits, that makes quite a formidable player.
6. Siya Kolisi – 8.5
An early hit on Ben Earl would have measured on the Richter scale all the way in Durban. That was not the only time the Bok captain’s shoulder did some serious damage to English carriers in a busy defensive effort, making the most tackles for his side with 15.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7
Gave England three points in the first half for a penalty at the breakdown, although he can feel slightly aggrieved. Bounced back seconds later with a charge-down try. A big shot on George Martin from a kick-off put his side in a good position, although they could not capitalise. Made the most carries for the Boks, nine, but not the lofty standards we are used to. Solid, nevertheless.
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8. Jasper Wiese – 7
Teamed up with Kolisi to march Maro Itoje backwards just under his own posts and teamed up with his captain again later in the first half at the breakdown to win a penalty. Ran tirelessly into the guts of the English defence before being replaced on the hour mark.
9. Grant Williams – 8
Showed the benefit of picking a scrum-half/ wing hybrid with a wonderful solo effort to bring the Boks their opening try of the match against the run of play, making a mockery of England’s defence. Always threatening England around the ruck, where England proved to be severely weak last week.
10. Manie Libbok – 6
After failing to even see half-time of the semi-final last year, Libbok was out to redeem himself but understandably looked nervous early on with some wayward kicking and handling errors, including one kick on his 22 that went flat at very best. Grew into the game though, and his boot began to control proceedings. Forced into some important tackles as well with England targeting him with strong carries. Did have errors in him though, and was replaced shortly after half-time.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
Subjected to an aerial bombardment where he won some and lost some. Some crucial defensive reads shut England’s attack down, which included sending Ollie Lawrence into reverse. At times his height difference with Steward was noticeable, which resulted in him taking England’s full-back out in the air. Robbed of a nice finish in the corner due to a forward pass.
12. Damian de Allende – 6
Tried to make an impression on the game after a quiet first half, but was pinged for holding on at one point shortly after the break. Showed up when it mattered though with a break to put Cheslin Kolbe in for his second, which proved to be the decisive score in the match. Found himself winning a lineout at one point which is one to tell the grandkids.
13. Jesse Kriel – 4
A few knock-ons, a missed tackle on Steward, an escort line to give England the lead after 50 minutes, not Kriel’s finest afternoon. Big hit on Lawrence at the death forced a turnover though.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 9
The wing’s kicking game was put under pressure by England in the opening quarter with a few efforts that effectively went straight out. Made South Africa’s third try look very easy by stepping in the process of catching a cross-field kick- no easy feat – and produced another world-class finish for his second try. England looked to target his wing with some driving kicks to the corner, which he dealt with for the most part, looking comfortable as ever in the air. Had no right to step through England’s defence early in the second half, and quite possibly no one else on planet Earth could have. Brilliant.
15. Aphelele Fassi – 4
A neck roll gifted England field position, and a subsequent try, when the Boks had full control of the match. Did not look overly secure under the high ball either. Some nice flashes with ball in hand, but his forward pass prevented the Boks from extending their lead in the second half. Summed up an error-strewn performance.
Replacements
16. Malcolm Marx – 5
Was in no way as secure as Mbonambi at the lineout. Won a vital breakdown penalty in his own 22 and had a high workrate, but his throwing was creaking.
17. Gerhard Steenekamp – 3
Penalised at a scrum, which is a rarity for a Springbok prop, when South Africa were in a strong position. A yellow card late on allowed England back into the game although nothing came of it.
18. Vincent Koch – 8
Ripped the ball from Chandler Cunningham-South to repel England in the Bok 22 and got over the ball in a similar position a few minutes later. All part of a strong defensive contribution from the tighthead, with the second-most tackles for his side.
19. Elrigh Louw – 5
Didn’t get his hands on the ball as much as he would have liked in the final 20 minutes.
20. Kwagga Smith – 6
Came on with Marcus Smith in his crosshairs and did his job to shut England down when they needed to attack.
21. Cobus Reinach – 5
Steady late on as South Africa had to bring the win home.
22. Handre Pollard – 7
Provided some security under the high ball from an English onslaught, and his composure shone through. Scored a long-range penalty to give the Boks the lead in the second 40 where Libbok had failed to in the first.
23. Lukhanyo Am – 5
A quiet 10 minutes at the end, but still injected some energy into what would have been a tiring defence.
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
I'd love to see little benny BS smith do the Bok ratings. I'm sure it'll be hilarious.