Springboks player ratings: Brutal Boks pack ‘decimates’ the Wallabies as ‘remarkable’ Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shines
Our Springboks player ratings following a dominant performance against the Wallabies.
Following a brutal Springboks performance in the 33-7 victory over Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, here is how we rated Rassie Erasmus’ players.
Springboks player ratings v Australia
15 Willie le Roux: He botched a try in the first half but that was one of the few blights on his game as he ran the attack with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Le Roux kicked well out of hand and covered the backfield impressively and tracked back brilliantly on one occasion. 7
14 Cheslin Kolbe: He did a bit of everything, feeding the ball into the scrum, throwing in at the lineout and attempted a drop goal. Kolbe didn’t cross the whitewash but still shone throughout the game with his work-rate on both sides of the ball. 7
13 Jesse Kriel: Ended the match in the sin bin after sticking his hand out for an intercept but it was yet another world-class performance from the stupendous Springboks centre. He brilliantly stepped through the Australian defence to set up Kurt-Lee Arendse’s second try and gained over 50 metres while being sharp defensively too. 8
12 Damian de Allende: Linked up well with Kriel and Feinberg-Mngomezulu and was still strong in contact when carrying to the line. He was solid defensively as well. 7
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: He just can’t stop scoring as the brilliant winger grabbed a brace. He scythed through the defence for his first try and ran a superb support line to finish off a beautiful attacking play from the Springboks. 8
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: He scoffed his first shot at goal but he did not let that miskick impact his overall performance as he quickly recovered to produce another stunner. He kicked and passed well all game and sparked some scintillating attacks. He really is a remarkable talent. A few errors in his game but overall, a super shift. 8
9 Cobus Reinach: A few blunders including his last pass before being replaced by Grant Williams. Overall, it was solid performance from the veteran scrum-half who kicked well and tested the Wallabies’ defence around the fringes, linking up well with Feinberg-Mngomezulu. 6
Bok pack dominates
8 Elrigh Louw: The powerful number eight thrived with ball in hand with hulking carries driving the Wallabies’ defence backwards, gaining over 30 metres from his nine carries. He was solid defensively too and made a good fist of his chance in the starting line-up. 7
7 Ben-Jason Dixon: Moved into the starting XV following the withdrawal of RG Snyman and certainly made the most of his opportunity as he continues to impress so early in his Test career. He got through a mountain of work topping the tackle count for the Springboks. Another classy blindside flanker for the side. 8
6 Siya Kolisi (c): Got the ball rolling as he finished off a brilliant lineout move to score the opening try. He got his hands on the ball plenty making eight passes, an offload and three carries. It was an accurate and effective performance from the Springboks skipper. 7
5 Pieter-Steph du Toit: Shifted into the second-row before kick-off and he was just as effective as ever. The Springboks did have some concerns in the lineout but overall, he was excellent in the set-piece, grabbed a try and was powerful with ball in hand and on defence. He continues to be a star performer for the Boks and today was just another strong outing. 8
4 Eben Etzebeth: Thrived in the trams benefitting from Tony Brown’s attacking system as he caused all kinds of havoc for the Wallabies’ back three. He was still effective in his more traditional roles as he was excellent in the lineouts, tackled well and pressured the Wallabies’ kickers. 7
3 Frans Malherbe: Made a really nice cover tackle early in the second half but his scrummaging was the highlight of his game as he put on a clinic, dominating Isaac Kailea who was making his first start for the Wallabies. Malherbe hasn’t been in the best form of late but today he was superb in the scrums and around the park. 9
2 Bongi Mbonambi: Surprisingly hooked after just 30 minutes. Luke Pearce noted that it was a tactical change and not because of injury. Strong in the set-pieces and pretty solid around the park. Perhaps the Boks just wanted to get more minutes out of Malcolm Marx. 6
1 Ox Nche: Absolutely decimated Allan Alaalatoa in the scrums and didn’t let that dominance slip. He was sensational around the park too. It’s hard to argue against him being the best loosehead prop in the world right now. A scrummaging masterclass from the cake-loving powerhouse. 9
Replacements: The front-row replacements continued the scrum dominance while Kwagga Smith made a telling impact at the breakdown and grabbed a try. Marco van Staden also shone as Gerhard Steenekamp while Marx was strong once again. 8
READ MORE: Hammer blow! Springboks forced into last-minute change and a pack reshuffle for Australia
