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Springboks player ratings vs England | Autumn Nations Series

Eben Etzebeth/PA

Springboks player ratings: The Springboks’ hopes of ending the November tour unbeaten was dashed by England on Saturday at Twickenham.

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The English scored three converted tries and two penalty goals – while Makazole Mapimpi dotted down his 20th try for the Boks, with Handre Pollard (five), Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn contributing the rest of the points via penalty goals.

Leezil Hendricks rates the South African players:

15 Willie le Roux – 4
Collected the ball from the kick-offs and was brave under high-ball on a couple of occasions but Bok supporters will be asking for more from the fullback. He saved a try in the opening minutes. However, he was again exploited in defence.

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14 Jesse Kriel – 4.5
Overall an average performance, although he ran really hard when he had an opportunity. In defence, was forced to scramble across on a couple of occasions. In the first half England’s wing Jonny May got the better of him.

13 Lukhanyo Am – 6
It will be a match Am would want to forget. Aside from his try-scoring pass to Makazole Mapimpi, the usually a very sound defender, had a horrendous display in defence. He found himself in noman’s land on a couple of occasions and missed a curial tackle on Joe Marchant, which led to England’s third try. He seems a bit frazzled on attack as well.

12 Damian de Allende – 8.5
One of the best performers in the backline. He made robust runs which got him over the gain line. He did miss a couple of tackles, but he made up for it with some big hits, including a great try-saving on Max Malins and made a good steal inside the Boks’ 22.

11 Makazole Mapimpi – 6
He scored the team’s only try against a 14-man England side. He was not spectacular however he look to get involved. However, unlike last week he failed to be a threat under the high ball, while his tackling left him down.

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10 Handré Pollard – 6
He kicked the ball away when his team were in good attacking positions. An example of this was in the 25th minute in the face of a massive overlap he opted for a cross-kick instead of running the ball. His performance from the tee in the first half was solid keeping the Boks in the game. However, the second half saw him miss two penalties which proved to be crucial in the context of the game.

Handre Pollard
Handre Pollard tackle Manu Tuilagi /PA

9 Cobus Reinach – 6
He finally got a start and it was not the best performance from the scrumhalf. He made a couple of good snipes and delivered one or two good box kicks, which put England under pressure but made a couple of poor decisions on the attack.

8 Duane Vermeulen – 8
Unlike his teammates, No.8 brought physicality from the start with a big hit in the opening minutes. He was a nuisance at the breakdowns and made a couple of good carries. Also a prominent figure at the line-outs and set up a few good drives.

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7 Kwagga Smith – 5
He had a very quiet first half. However, he tried to get involved in the second half. Made one or two good runs, but butchered a try in the second half. Was replaced by Jasper Wiese.

6 Siyamthanda Kolisi – 6.5
Just like Kwagga Smith, the captain was missing for the first half. He got into the game in the second half. There were also a few occasions when England found it hard to bring down when he had the ball in hand. He was also handed a yellow card in the closing minutes of the match.

5 Lood de Jager – 6.5
A very industrious performance by the lock and managed to secure a couple of line-outs. Not as physical as usual in open play, by his standards.

4 Eben Etzebeth – 9
He continues to be one of the Springboks’ most consistent performances throughout the 2021 season. He was a monster in defence and his charge down on Ben Youngs in the 59th minute was also crucial. The lock also made a great steal inside his own five in closing minutes. His break in the last quarter of the match was a highlight. Very unfortunate not to be nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.

3 Trevor Nyakane – 4
Conceded two early scrum penalties which handed England loads of confidence. It was not an ideal performance by the prop, especially in defence.

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi – 4.5
His line-out throwing in the first quarter was very efficient. However, lost his rhythm and cohesion along the way. He struggled at scrum time.

1 Ox Nché – 6.5
He had a much better game than his front row counterparts. He was solid defence and made a big hit on Bevan Rodd inside the Boks’ 22. He also won a scrum penalty just after the break before being replaced in the 44th minute.

REPLACEMENTS:

16 Malcolm Marx – 7
The Hooker immediate made an impact with a big hit on Kyle Sinckler resulting in a penalty for the Boks. His work rate at the breakdown was immense – creating a couple of turnovers.

17 Steven Kitshoff – 7
Like last week against Scotland, the prop was yet again a prominent figure in South Africa’s scrum dominance in the second half and he carried really well.

18 Vincent Koch – 6
His role in the set pieces, like the rest of the front row, was valuable. Had a handful of carries and was solid on defence.

19 Franco Mostert – 7
He helped the Boks find their rhythm in the line-outs, while his workrate is always impressive, especially on defence

20 Jasper Wiese – 5.5
Not much of an impact but made a couple of noteworthy runs.

21 Herschel Jantjies – 5
His decision-making was not great and his service continues to be a concern.

22 Elton Jantjies – 6
Nothing spectacular, he missed a kick from the tee, but was solid.

23 Francois Steyn – 6.5
The longest-serving Springbok attempt a drop goal however it shifted wide from the post. He eventually handed the Boks the lead with a penalty. Unfortunately, an error in the dying minutes eclipsed all his hard work.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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