Springboks player ratings: Bomb Squad saves Bok blushes including a Kwagga Smith blinder and a hero is born in victory over All Blacks

Following the Springboks 31-27 victory over the All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium in the Rugby Championship, here are our player ratings.

Springboks player ratings v All Blacks

15 Aphelele Fassi: The Springboks fullback was busy defensively in the opening minutes of the match but his work in that area of the game saw him visit the sin bin for an offside penalty. He returned to put in an assured performance under the high ball and looked to spark the attack on occasion and did so with some success. 8

14 Cheslin Kolbe: He will have loved to get his hands on the ball more throughout the match but when he did get it, he made his mark beating defenders including a run where he toppled over Scott Barrett. Close but no cigar in so many ways today. Still, he worked incredibly hard throughout the game. 7

13 Jesse Kriel: A titan on defence making some sharp reads but got one wrong leading to Caleb Clarke’s first try. He challenged the All Blacks’ defence with the ball in hand but the backline was just not firing to standard today. 6

12 Damian de Allende: After a blinder in the first half where he claimed a pair of turnovers, shifted the ball on well and made key tackles, De Allende threw a pass into the welcoming arms of Jordie Barrett for an All Blacks try. Still, he was industrious as ever and the glue in the Bok backline.7

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Sadly his game was cut short after getting his tackle technique wrong and sustaining a head knock. Before that, it was a rather quiet game for the Bok winger who was starved of possession but did almost make the most of his one chances but his footballing skills let him down. 5

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Halfbacks

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: A mixed bag for the rookie ten who slotted a marvellous 60-metre kick and kept the All Blacks defence guessing with ball in hand. He also kicked a ball out on the full and got timed out by the shot clock for his first conversion attempt. However, he put in a clutch kick to set up the match-winning try, and converted that try. A hero was born today as a generational talent produced big plays in rugby’s greatest rival even if it was not all pretty. 8

9 Cobus Reinach: His first start against the All Blacks in his career and a rather solid outing overall. Slick and accurate service overall and did manage to beat a defender. Decent with the boot too. 6

Loose forwards

8 Jasper Wiese: Hard to believe that he hasn’t played since May! Clearly looking to cement his place back in the number eight jersey, Wiese hammered into every All Blacks jersey that came his way, whether it was in defence or with ball in hand. He was simply immense throughout the game, winning a pair of turnovers in the first half too. A mighty shift from the powerhouse Bok back-rower. 9

7 Ben-Jason Dixon: Ex-Skipper John Smit believes that as a Springbok, you make two debuts; your first appearance in Green and Gold and your first game against the All Blacks. While Dixon impressed in the former, his latter was below the brilliant standard he has set so far. He was excellent in the lineout, but he made costly errors, getting his maul defence all wrong for New Zealand’s first try and then his poor offload not going to hand for Caleb Clarke’s try. A forgettable shift but one he will recover from. 3

6 Siya Kolisi (c): Abrasive in the carries and equally so on defence. Pestered the All Blacks breakdown and was sharp when in possession. Took a knock and was unable to close out the game but he  was strong today. 7

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Tight five

5 Ruan Nortje: His HIA replacement did not impact his rhythm as ran the lineout well, made his tackles and got through a ton of work throughout his performance. Also his first game against the All Blacks and he did not disappoint with a tidy and tough shift. 7

4 Pieter-Steph du Toit: The brilliant forward once again put in a busy shift after moving into the back row just 26 minutes into the game and moved back into the second row in the 50th minute. He was a sharp option at the lineout, pressuring the All Blacks’ ball and securing his own. Less busy with ball in hand than what has become the new norm for him but still effective at the breakdown and in defence. 9

3 Frans Malherbe: Unlucky to not have some of his scrum dominance rewarded as he put Tamaiti Williams under the pump. He was effective in the loose particularly on defence making eight tackles but also carried twice for two metres. 7

2 Bongi Mbonambi: Solid as ever both in the set-piece and on defence. Very fortunate that his try was not chalked off after his knock on but it stood. Stock standard to what is expected of him. 7

1 Ox Nche: Like his fellow front rowers, he too was unlucky to not get rewarded for his work against the excellent Tyrel Lomax in the scrum. Handy on both sides of the ball too. 7

Replacements: The Springboks Bomb Squad saved South Africa’s blushes once again thanks mostly in part thanks to the brilliance of Kwagga Smith who scored a try, won key turnovers and made strong tackles in an absolute blinder of a performance. Grant Williams also popped up with a score to win the game and added real whip to the Bok attack while the front row did not let the pressure slip in the scrum. Notable contributions from Elrigh Louw too while Eben Etzbeth was strong once again. There were flat periods but as many predicted, the bench made the difference. 9

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