There were few highlights from the Springbok performance on Saturday.
Jasper Wiese was one of the better performing Springbok players on Saturday. Picture: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The All Blacks stunned the Springboks 33-16 in the first of four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry matches at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The All Blacks scored five tries to the one by the Boks, who led 13-12 at half-time, but were blown away in the second spell by the visitors to South Africa.
This is how The Citizen rated the performance of the Springbok players, out of 10.
Damian Willemse 7: He didn’t put a foot wrong, chased hard and made some good tackles, and was excellent under the high ball. Made some nice runs, but without impact.
Cheslin Kolbe 7: He kicked well at goal and went on one or two good runs, showing off his magical feet. Jumped high and strongly for balls and made his tackles.
Jesse Kriel 5: He didn’t get many chances on attack, but made his tackles. Didn’t have much of an impact on the game, shifted to the wing early, and left the action in the 58th minute.
Damian de Allende 6: In his 100th Test, didn’t get as many chances as normal to carry the ball. Made a few big tackles, but also had little impact overall.
Kurt-Lee Arendse N/A: He went off early after a head knock.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 6: He ran hard at the opposition and tried to inject some energy into his team-mates. Kicked well out of hand, made some tackles, missed some tackles.
Grant Williams 6: He was better and more dangerous out wide playing wing after replacing Kolbe. Had a kick charged down, which led to a try. Missed a few tackles.
Jasper Wiese 8: One of his best Tests for the Boks. He was everywhere … he made numerous carries over the gainline and tackled superbly. He did, however, lose a few balls in contact.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 6: Surprisingly one of the quieter Tests for the captain on the day. He made some tackles, and the occasional carry and lineout win, but was never quite in it.
Paul de Villiers 7: He was really busy in the first half, made the occasional breakdown steal, and put in several tackles and good carries, but faded later on.
Ruan Nortjé 6: He dominated in the lineouts and took several balls. He also made a number of tackles, but went missing in the second half.
Eben Etzebeth 5: Not quite the enforcer of before … got pinged for penalties a few times, but made one excellent lineout steal and tackled well enough.
Wilco Louw 8: A superb scrummaging performance, one area where the Boks dominated. He also made some tackles.
Malcolm Marx 7: He was busy at the breakdowns, making one steal, but missed his first lineout throw. He also lost the ball going over for a try. Contributed to excellent scrumming effort.
Ox Nche 8: After a long injury layoff, came back and scrummed superbly. He also made some big hits in the first half.
Bench:
Jan-Hendrik Wessels 5: Got on in the 67th minute and failed to make an impact.
Gerhard Steenekamp 6: Came on in the 46th minute, scrummed superbly, went off in the 67th.
Zachary Porthen 5: Entered in the 62nd minute and didn’t have any impact.
Cobus Wiese 5: Only got on in the 74th, made one big carry, but lost the ball in contact.
André Esterhuizen 7: Got on early for Arendse, powered his way over for a try. Off again in the 63rd.
Marco van Staden 4: Got on in the 62nd minute, but only picked up a yellow card.
Cobus Reinach 4: Entered the action in the 58th minute, didn’t get much opportunity, got a yellow card.
Manie Libbok 5: Came on in the 63rd minute, unable to make any impact.
