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Springboks player ratings vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship

(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The Springboks failed to record back-to-back wins over the All Blacks on Saturday.

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Just a week after the Boks recorded a stunning win over the All Blacks, the visitors bounced back in fine fashion beating South Africa 35-23 at Ellis Park.

Trailing 10-15 at the break, the Boks failed to combat the All Blacks’ physical onslaught and had to settle for the defeat.

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South Africa suffered an early blow with only 10 minutes gone when groggy wing Jesse Kriel was forced to retire and veteran fullback Willie le Roux came on.

Leezil Hendricks of Rugby365 rates the South African players:

15. Damian Willemse – 8/10

Simply another fantastic performance by the 24-year-old. He copped a yellow card in the opening minutes of the match. Fortunately for him, the Boks did not concede any points during the 10 minutes. He moved to No.12 following Jesse Kriel’s departure in the eighth minute and it was not a bad effort from the utility back. He made up for his early mishap as he ignited the Springboks’ attacking plan, setting up Makazole Mampipi’s try with a perfectly executed loop pass.

14. Jesse Kriel – N/A

The wing’s return was cut short as he was forced to leave the field following a failed HIA Test. Similar to Faf de Klerk, Kriel sustained the head-nock in his tackle attempt on Caleb Clarke in the eighth minute.

13. Lukhanyo Am – 9

Another masterclass by Am. Unfortunate not to score a try in the opening minutes of the match. But eventually, his hard work was rewarded – powering over two defenders for his first try against the All Blacks. The centre had to move to the wing after coach Jacques Nienaber rejigged his backline, but he continued to cause loads of problems for the All Blacks out wide.

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12. Damian de Allende – 5
A very disappointing Test by the usually electrifying centre’s standards. He missed crucial tackles including the big one Caleb Clarke which set up the All Blacks’ first try. The centre tried to get in the match with some carries but failed to make an impact – moving him to the outside centre certainly did not help.
5/10

11. Makazole Mapimpi – 6.5

He won a penalty in the opening minutes and faded in the first half. However, he improved in the second half as he continued to look for work. He also contested the high ball very well and scored a try.

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10. Handre Pollard – 7

The flyhalf struggled and failed to dictate the match in the first 40 minutes. However, labelled as Mr Cool by All Blacks legend Justin Marshall, Pollard bounced back and produced another cool and collected display in the second half and kicked very well.

9. Jaden Hendrikse – 5

It was a very challenging outing for the No.9. He did the basics well and most of his box kicks were okay. Conceded an obstruction penalty.

8. Duane Vermeulen – 4

Playing in his first Test of the season after his rehab after knee surgery, it was clear that the 36-year-old had problems with his match fitness. Nonetheless, he made two great carries before being replaced by Jasper Wiese in the 35th minute.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 5.5

Far from his best by his standards. He looked out of pace and even missed a couple of tackles. The highlight of his game was when he intercepted the ball inside his own half, unfortunately his legs could not get him over the line.

6. Siyamthanda Kolisi (c) – 6

Was not a perfect performance from the captain, and struggled to inspire his team. He was good in defence, made 10 tackles and missed one. Really not active at the breakdown.

5. Lodewyk de Jager – 6

Was caught offside which resulted in the All Blacks’ first points of the match. Other than that the lock did the basics right, collected the ball well in the line-outs and no one can deny his incredible work rate at the mauls.

4. Eben Etzebeth – 6

A very quiet display by his standards. He made only three carries but was more industrious in defence with nine tackles.

3. Frans Malherbe – 6.5

The best of the struggling starting front row, however not the most memorable 50th test cap for the prop. The All Blacks certainly did their homework on Malherbe along with his fellow front row partners, who also struggled with the scrums. However, his defence was good, making 12 tackles.

2. Joseph Dweba – 3

Coming in for the injured Bongi Mbonambi, the Stormers-bound hooker had big boots to fill. And it was certainly a match to forget. He conceded an early scrum penalty, while he also struggled with line-out throws – one was stolen and the other one in the 22nd minute was skew. He made way for Malcolm Marx after just 29 minutes.

1. Retshegofaditswe Nche – 5

Part of the front row that was realy under pressure in the scrums – the prop also conceded an early penalty. He had problems in defence and failed to make his usual strong carries.

Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx (on for Dweba, 29th minute) – 7 – The hooker made a big impact. His line-out throws were solid and he managed the driving maul superbly. Far from last week’s show, the hooker’s tackle rate is in double figures.

17. Steven Kitshoff (on for Nche, 35th minutes) – 7 – His introduction was much-needed, especially at the scrums. He was also solid in defence with eight tackles. However, he failed to deliver some solid carries.

18. Vincent Koch (on for Malberbe, 50th minutes) – 3 –  He certainly made very little impact and was basically anonymous on the park.

19. Franco Mostert (on for De Jager, 40th Minutes) – 6 – Made a great line-out steal inside his own 22. Worked very hard and made all of his tackles.

20. Jasper Wiese (On for Vermeulen, 35th minute) – 8 – He took to the field when the Boks were trailing 0-15 and certainly made a huge impact. He added physicality and carried well. Conceded a silly penalty in the 48th minute but overall it was a tremendous display by the replacement, who certainly has a case for the No.8 jersey.

21. Albertus Smith (on for Kolisi, 50th minute) – 5 – Working very hard off the ball, making a couple of good tackles.

22. Hershel Jantjies (on for Hendrikse, 75th minute) – N/A – Not enough time to be rated

23 Willie le Roux (on for Kriel, 8th minute) – 6 – The replacement was solid under the high ball and his kicks helped alleviate some pressure. His experience is another facet the Boks will need doing forward.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours 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
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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