Springboks player ratings: Bomb Squad ‘implodes’ in an embarrassing second half

Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok and an inset of Eben Etzebeth.
Following the Springboks’ 22-38 defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park, here is how we rated Rassie Erasmus’ charges in the Rugby Championship opener.
Springboks player ratings v Wallabies
15 Aphelele Fassi: Fantastic hands in the opening minutes to send Edwill van der Merwe over for the try, but had issues with his defensive positioning and a few of his kicks were overcooked and not accurate. Still, he had some bright moments with the ball in hand. 5
14 Edwill van der Merwe: Some key interventions on defence and came agonisingly short of a try in the first half after outpacing Dylan Pietsch. Some great contributions under the ball, but wasn’t quite rewarded for his efforts. Replaced on the hour mark as Erasmus emptied his bench. His defensive reads got worse as the game went on and the Wallabies pounced. 5
13 Jesse Kriel: Left in no-man’s land so often on defence and not all his own doing. Had some great runs and showed brilliance with ball in hand but not his best outing, particularly in the second half. 4
12 Andre Esterhuizen: Will have been pleased to finally get his first try for the Springboks and he really threw down the hammer at times. His passing was also brilliant but he will rue his error after a line break that the Wallabies’ epically punished. 5
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Grabbed the opening try and was excellent under the high ball, but the Wallabies managed to get around him and Van der Merwe far too easily as the game went off forcing the coaches to make the change. 4
10 Manie Libbok: Started the game brightly, but much like many of his teammates, his bright start turned into a nightmare. His wide pass that Joseph Suaalii picked off was simply not on while his defence gifted Australia opportunities. 4
9 Grant Williams: His sharp, accurate kicking game paved the way for an emphatic half-time lead as did his pace and accurate passes. Shifted to the wing after the starters began to struggle defensively. 6
Siya Kolisi: Springboks’ mindset has changed, we want to win everything and be the best all the time
The forwards
8 Siya Kolisi (c): Some quick thinking combined with a brutal fend saw the Bok skipper canter through the Wallabies’ defence to score a fantastic try. The breakdown was a mess but Kolisi equipped himself overall and landed some telling hits on defence. He looked to be struggling from a knee injury that he sustained late in the first half and was hooked off early in the second. 6
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: Always gives his all and here was no different. Did extremely well to send Esterhuizen through for his try and continued to pester the Wallabies with his hulking carriers. Also came up with a lineout steal. 7
6 Marco van Staden: A menace at the breakdown, he was even more effective with ball in hand. Tackled well but got little reward for any of his efforts. 6
5 Lood de Jager: The lineout woes were more down to the throws than the lock’s calls, while the second-rower was mightily effective around the park. His link-up play was excellent, as were his carries to the line. He exited the pitch when the Springboks were comfortably ahead. 6
4 Eben Etzebeth: Battled away brilliantly throughout the match and the end result cannot be pinned on his efforts by any means. He shone in the lineouts, pestered the Wallabies kickers while carrying strongly and showing off his offloading prowess. 8
3 Wilco Louw: Played his part in a truly dominant first-half performance in the scrums and around the park. Did little wrong and can hold his head high after another excellent shift from him personally. 7
2 Malcolm Marx: Lineout throws were well below par but he made his impacts at the breakdown and defence, making up for a poor throw almost immediately on one occasion. Was also part of a strong scrummaging effort. 6
1 Ox Nche: Clear dominance in the scrums against Taniela Tupou and regularly got over the gain line with the ball in hand. A tidy, strong shift from the powerhouse prop. 7
Replacements: The Bomb Squad imploded and it cost the Springboks the match. Bongi Mbonambi couldn’t hit his lineout targets, Kwagga Smith conceded penalties, Canan Moodie missed tackles and while the scrum remained a strong point, the game was lost in a second half where the Boks were held pointless. 2