Springboks player ratings: Bomb Squad explodes at Mbombela as ‘mightily impressive’ debutant may end Rassie’s ‘search’
Springboks lock Ruan Nortje and an inset of scrum-half Grant Williams.
Following the Springboks’ 55-10 victory over Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, here is how we rated Rassie Erasmus’ charges.
Springboks player ratings v Georgia
15 Aphelele Fassi: One dropped high ball aside, which he made up for with a great kick soon after, the full-back was sound at the back, adding real venom to the attack. A feisty battle for the number 15 jersey is now on, with Damian Willemse also impressing off the bench. 7
14 Edwill van der Merwe: Three Tests, five tries. Van der Merwe has taken to the Springboks system like a pig in mud and adds to what is an already overflowing back-three division. Today, he not only showed his pace and agility, but was also strong under the high ball and effective in defence. Grabbed another five-point thanks to a cheeky chip over the top from De Klerk. 7
13 Canan Moodie: Pace, power and athleticism. Moodie was outrageous last week and just as excellent this week, as he did wonderfully to stay with the attack to finish off a truly mesmerising try. He made another outstanding break in the second half and, with little support around him, attempted a kick and regather that simply didn’t come off but was worth a try. Defensively, he made some great reads that shut down threatening Georgian attacks. 8
12 Damian de Allende: What’d you expect from the world-class number 12. Hammered into the Georgian defence, punching holes with his hulking carries and was impactful yet again at the breakdown. Runs around like an extra loose forward for the Springboks, but married that with the slick skillset that is coming more to the fray under Tony Brown. 7
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: A cracking cover tackle on the scramble defence stopped a certain try as the live wire winger once again showed that his strengths aren’t just with ball in hand. Less attacking opportunities than he would have wanted, but competed well in the air and linked up stunningly when the ball did come his way, and luckily for him, Williams created the chance for him to grab a deserved try in the latter stages of the game. 7
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Reports emerged ahead of kick-off that he was carrying a nigglesome hip injury sustained in the warm-up, and it certainly showed with place-kicking. He missed all three of his opening kicks before landing his fourth and had a few jittery moments on and off the ball. He grew into the game as it went on, adding touches of true class and quality backfield play, but the kicking woes will be a concern going forward and hopefully just something caused by the niggle. 5
9 Grant Williams: Early hiccup with his first box-kick going out on the full and allowed Georgia to put the pressure on. Recovered quickly, though, and made a scintillating break through the Georgian defence to kickstart a wonderful try, rounded off by Moodie. His floated pass to Van der Merwe was simply fantastic in what was a stunning shift overall before his number was called, making way for the Nelspruit crowd favourite Faf de Klerk. Returning not too long after to set up another try. 8
The forward pack
8 Cobus Wiese: Taking over what is usually his brother’s jersey, Wiese put in a traditionally powerful shift, befitting of the Green and Gold jersey. He doesn’t quite look as angry as Jasper when carrying the ball, but he was no less effective as he regularly got over the gainline and drew in more than one defender. He was excellent at lineout and as a pillar in a compelling maul performance. Made way for Kwaga Smith early in the second half after an abrasive shift that will only see his stocks rise. 7
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year was outstanding yet again, leading the charge in terms of physicality on both sides of the ball. He made a fantastic carry in the build-up to Van der Merwe’s try, and as per usual, was the busiest forward on the park from minute one to 80. 8
6 Siya Kolisi (c): An early HIA disrupted the skipper’s return to the Springboks jersey, but he passed the test and came back to put in a solid performance. He was hammered in a tackle during the second half, but outside of that, he won his collisions and was effective at the breakdown. 6
5 Ruan Nortje: Ran a tight shift lineout time, which produced tries for the Springboks courtesy of the rolling maul while his work-rate was off the charts once again, flying into tackles and rucks at every opportunity. He has been on an upward trajectory since earning a recall before the Rugby Championship last year and has continued in that manner. The lineout had its issues in the second half, but one can argue that was down to some average throws. 8
4 Eben Etzebeth: A pest for Georgian halfback Vasil Lobzhanidze as he once again got one right in the first half, charging down one of his box kicks. Busy defensively as he led the tackle count for the hosts while he was on the park, and was handy at the lineouts. Replaced early in the second half as Erasmus activated the ‘Bomb Squad’. 6
3 Neethling Fouche: A tidy shift from the first of three front row debutants in what was a daunting scrummaging task. He held his own in what was a bit of a give-and-take in the set-piece. Decent in other facets of the game, in what was a solid enough performance. 6
2 Marnus van der Merwe: A two-try debut for the Scarlets’ hooker who threw 11/11 at lineout time, won a turnover and made the tackles required of him. He could not have asked for more in what was a mightily impressive first official cap in Green and Gold. Erasmus has been searching for a third choice out-and-out hooker after Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, and he may just have found him if today’s game is anything to go by. 8
1 Boan Venter: If the Springboks did recruit him to avoid him playing for Scotland, then the loosehead is hellbent on making sure that it is not just a one-off Test. He held his own in the scrums, grabbed a debut try and was powerful around the park. 7
Replacements: The famed Bomb Squad has misfired somewhat this month, but after an improvement last week, it was vastly better today, helped by the fact that eight World Cup winners were included. Mbonambi’s lineout darts are a concern, but De Klerk impressed before he was taken off due to an HIA. Smith had his usual impact, while there was a clear edge at scrum time in the second half. Pollard and Willemse also linked up well while RG Snyman was up to his normal tricks as the Bomb Squad exploded to build on the foundation set and see out the victory. 8
