Springboks player ratings: Cheslin Kolbe ‘leads the way’ as Rassie Erasmus’ selection gamble pays off with deserved win over All Blacks
Springboks flyer Cheslin Kolbe and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit (inset).
After their 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in their Rugby Greatest Rivalry encounter at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, here’s how the Springboks players performed on Saturday.
Springboks player ratings v All Blacks
15 Damian Willemse: Although he was only on the field for 40 minutes, Willemse delivered another solid display as he made some fine runs from the back, was solid under the high ball and did well on defence. Replaced by Manie Libbok due to injury at half-time. 7
14 Cheslin Kolbe: The Springboks‘ excitement machine came to the fore with another outstanding all-round performance as he led the way to victory. Kolbe proved a genuine threat on attack as he finished with a team-high 59 metre made which included a clean break and three defenders beaten. Just like last week, he produced another perfect goal-kicking display as he finished with an 18-point haul courtesy of four penalties and three conversions. 8
13 Jesse Kriel: After seeing little of the ball last week, the veteran midfielder was thrust into the action early on when he crossed for the opening try after just two minutes. However, he missed several tackles on defence and a couple of those resulted in All Blacks tries. 5
12 Damian de Allende: The experienced centre showed his class with some powerful carries and one of those was rewarded with a well-taken try midway through the opening half. Continued to test New Zealand’s defence as the match progressed and also put in a high work-rate on defence as he finished with 16 tackle completions. 7
11 Ethan Hooker: Justified his selection as he competed relentlessly in the aerial duels and put plenty of pressure on his opponents in that aspect of the game. Had few attacking opportunities but looked dangerous when he found himself in space out wide and tested New Zealand’s defence with some fine runs. 7
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Came into the starting line-up after initially being dropped to the bench and put in a better performance than the one he produced in the first Test. Although he was not influential on attack, Feinberg-Mngomezulu put his body on the line in defence as he made two try-saving tackles. Played at full-back during the second half with Libbok taking over at fly-half after replacing Willemse. 7
9 Cobus Reinach: Provided a slick service to his outside backs and varied his play well with clever offloads, which brought the Springboks forwards into the game, and fine kicking out of hand before being replaced by Morne van den Berg in the 57th minute. 6
The forwards
8 Jasper Wiese: Was a willing ball carrier but not as effective as last week on attack as he was closely marked by the All Blacks. Despite that, Wiese continued to take the fight to the opposition while also impressing with 10 hits on defence. 6
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: He was making his 100th Test appearance for the world champions and delivered a performance fitting the occasion. As usual, Du Toit put in a powerful all-round showing in which he did carried with great intent, defended well as he made a joint match-high 18 tackles and did his bit in the lineouts. 8
6 Siya Kolisi (c): The captain returned to action from injury and produced a solid 43-minute shift. He competed ferociously in the battle at the breakdowns and scored a well-taken try which proved crucial in the grander scheme of things. Eventually replaced by Andre Esterhuizen. 7
5 Ruan Nortje: Was the Springboks’ main source of possession in the lineouts as he won several balls at the set-piece while also putting in a huge defensive shift as he made 13 tackles. Was replaced by Lood de Jager in the 68th minute. 7
4 Eben Etzebeth: The world champions’ enforcer was in the thick of the action from the outset, carrying with great intent while also impressing on defence and he finished with 18 tackles made. Also did well in the lineouts during a fine 80-minute shift. 8
3 Thomas du Toit: The Sharks-bound front-row came into the starting line-up shortly before kick-off with Wilco Louw dropping down to the bench and Du Toit emptied the tank during a 56-minute stint on the field. Stood up well in the scrums and brought great physicality with ball in hand, especially at close quarter. 7
2 Deon Fourie: Another one of South Africa’s front-rowers who was elevated to the run-on side in the build-up to the game and the veteran can be happy with his efforts as he put in a solid display during his 36 minutes on the field before being replaced by Malcolm Marx. Impressed with his throw-ins at the lineouts and put his body on the line at the breakdowns. 7
1 Gerhard Steenekamp: Another one who came into the starting line-up shortly before kick-off with Ox Nche relegated to the bench. Steenekamp did what was expected of him in the tight exchanges before being replaced in the 36th minute. 7
Replacements: Much was said about Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus chopping and changing his run-on side in the build-up to this encounter but his decisions were justified in the end as his replacements were influential in deciding the outcome of this game. Marx was one of the stars of the show as he made a big impact when replacing Fourie late in the opening half. Meanwhile, there were also solid shifts from Esterhuizen, Louw, Nche up front while Van den Berg also shone amongst the backs. A late yellow card to De Jager was the only blemish on a fine collective effort from the Bok bench. 8
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