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Springboks player ratings vs Argentina | 2021 Rugby Championship
Springboks player ratings: South Africa showed why they remain the world’s top-ranked team, beating Argentina 32-12 in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.
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Flawless it was not.
However, scoring three tries without reply means they are in the running to successfully defend the crown they won in 2019 – before COVID-19 tournament last year’s tournament into a Tri-Nations.
Jan de Koning rates the South African players:
15 Damian Willemse – 5
It was not his best day at the office – with a handling error, conceding a turnover with selfish play and then conceding a penalty for playing an opponent in the air. Although he eventually settled down, it was decidedly average.
14 Sibusiso Nkosi- 5
The ball did not flow his way, but he looked for work and chased hard. Also missed several tackles.
13 Jesse Kriel – 6
He did not get many chances with the ball in hand in a game where kicking was the dominant factor. Did manage to beat one defender in his four carries and made all but one of his tackles.
12 Frans Steyn – 6
Carried with purpose and made some good metres at times. Was generally good on defence, had one monster touch finder and won a turnover. However, – goal-kicking not good, as he missing both his shots at goal.
11 Aphelele Fassi – 7
Had a few handy runs, making 30-odd metres with four runs, beating two defenders and made two clean breaks. Was also very good in the air, although his defence requires some work.
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10 Elton Jantjies – 6
His game management was from the top shelve and one sublime cross-field kick set up the Aphelele Fassi try. His defence was general great and while he made the odd error, it was a applaudable performance.
9 Cobus Reinach – 7
Scored the opening try when he picked up a stray pass and sprinted more than 60 metres. Gave good service from the base and his out-of-hand kicking was also VERY good value to the team. Missed a few tackles, but also won a great turnover.
No.8 Jasper Wiese – 8
Not flawless, but without doubt his best performance in the Green and Gold – earning him our Man of the Match award. He had some strong carries and made good metres – 40-odd from 12 carries. Made seven tackles and was solid on the restarts.
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7 Kwagga Smith – 7
Worked hard on defence, making a match-high 21 tackles without slipping any. He conceded penalty at the breakdown early in the second half.
6 Siyamthanda Kolisi – 6
There can be no doubt that his form has improved as the year progressed. Made nine tackles and won a turnover. Missed just one tackle and conceded one penalty.
5 Lood de Jager – 7
Carried six times for little reward, but made 19 tackles, won five line-outs and stole one on the opposition throw. Missed just two tackles.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 6
Another industrious performance by the lock, who had a handful of carries for little reward. However, he made 10 tackles without slipping any and even chased and regathered a high bomb that set up the play resulting in the Fassi try.
3 Wilco Louw – 6
Exerted some great pressure in the scrums and made plenty of tackles. However, he also conceded a couple of silly offside penalties.
2 Joseph Dweba – 6
He may not have got any rewards for his handful of carries, but he stayed busy and won a great penalty turnover. Made most of his tackles.
How good was this thump from Damian McKenzie? ? #AllBlacks #NZLvAUShttps://t.co/mXuUlR1osz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2021
1 Ox Nché – 6
Hard-working on defence, taking his tackle count into double figures – slipping just one. Was also very solid in the scrums and had a couple of decent carries.
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx – 5
Not his best day at the office. Started with a tray throw and then cost his team a try when he went crawling along the ground with the ball in hand.
17 Trevor Nyakane – 5
Solid in the scrums, but otherwise very quiet. Not the impact the coach would have wanted.
18 Vincent Koch – 5
Mad all his tackles, but conceded scrum penalty and made no impact with the ball in hand.
If Ian Foster was looking for a superlative performance from some of his charges, he sure got it. #NZLvAUS #AllBlackshttps://t.co/L64XGtIuBj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 14, 2021
19 Marvin Orie – NA
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Marco van Staden – 6
Made all his tackles and had a few decent carries. One of the more industrious replacements.
21 Dan du Preez – 6
Had two strong carries, made all his tackles and worked hard off the ball.
22 Jaden Hendrikse – NA
Try on debut and conceded an obstruction penalty, but not enough time to be rated.
23 Morné Steyn – NA
Not enough time to be rated.
