Springbok player ratings: Mediocrity all round
There were exceptions - albeit just a few - but the Test in Washington wasn't a great day to showcase the depth of Bok rugby.
Andre Esterhuizen was one of few shining lights for the Springboks. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski
Here’s how the Springboks fared on their first ever trip to Washington.
15 – CURWIN BOSCH (3/10)
Hardly made any claim for a long-term stay in the fullback position. Seemed to follow the kick-based tactics to the letter … and to his detriment.
14 – TRAVIS ISMAIEL (5/10)
Given the overall context of the Boks’ performance, this wasn’t a bad debut for the Bulls winger. Poached his try well but should’ve tried to dot down a second time when he was bundled into touch.
13 – JESSE KRIEL (5/10)
Did brilliantly with his quick hands to make Mapimpi’s try a certainty. His off-loading game is become a strength.
12 – ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN (7/10)
How this man has improved within a year. Showed vision and finesse with a superb break and kick forward early in the first half. A storming dart set up the Boks’ second try. Solid on defence too. He’s staked a claim to become a first-choice player for Rassie Erasmus.
11 – MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI (6/10)
Who said this man is a one-trick pony? Showed his try-scoring ability by dotting down on debut but his real triumph was his work rate without the ball. Chased high balls all day and completed 8 tackles. Really promising.
10 – ELTON JANTJIES (5/10)
This was a typical Jantjies performance of 2018. Solid in the goal-kicking department, inconsistent everywhere else.
9 – IVAN VAN ZYL (5/10)
No fireworks but as John Mitchell will tell you, that’s not this Bulls scrumhalf’s game. Calm in sticky situations and his distribution reliable.
8 – DAN DU PREEZ (3/10)
Disappointing day at the office for the towering No 8. His handling was really poor and conceded two turnovers.
7 – OUPA MOHOJE (6/10)
Deserves credit for gradually imposing himself during the game. Looked very rusty initially – he hasn’t played for a few weeks since the Cheetahs’ Pro14 run finished – before carrying well, tackling hard and being an extra lineout option.
6 – KWAGGA SMITH (5/10)
His hands were disappointingly poor for a sevens star but he delivered a mountain of work on defence – an immense 12 tackles.
5 – PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT (6/10)
As always led by example with a solid all-round performance though his captaincy debut was less glittering.
4 – JASON JENKINS (6/10)
There was a Bakkies Botha vibe to his performance. Certainly potential for a so-called enforcer role in future.
3 – WILCO LOUW (4/10)
Did his part on defence but conceded a scrum penalty and didn’t carry much.
2 – CHILIBOY RALEPELLE (6/10)
Showed his experience in delivering a solid performance. Robust defence and one very good turnover.
1 – OX NCHE (3/10)
Difficult debut for the young Cheetahs prop. Shot out of the line too early in the build-up to one of Wales’ tries and had to be lectured by the referee about his struggles in the scrum.
16 – AKKER VAN DER MERWE (5/10)
Bustling as ever. Certainly injected energy and made his tackles as the game became a bit looser.
17 – STEVEN KITSHOFF (4/10)
Stabilised the scrum but conceded a penalty and a turnover. Didn’t deliver the usual magic.
18 – THOMAS DU TOIT (5/10)
Did nothing prominent but also didn’t do anything wrong.
19 – MARVIN ORIE (7/10)
Brilliant cameo from the Lions man. Carried well, made two tackles and stole two lineouts within a 17 minute stint.
20 – SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE (6/10)
Worthy replacement for the out-of-sorts Dan du Preez. Deserves more opportunity.
21 – EMBROSE PAPIER (NOT ENOUGH TIME TO BE RATED)
One lovely break in the dying seconds.
22 – ROBERT DU PREEZ (3/10)
At least nailed his first penalty goal for the Boks but had two kicks charged down within two minutes. One of them led to Wales’ winning try.
23 – WARRICK GELANT (6/10)
Provided far more than Bosch.
