Rating every Springboks player from the Nations Championship: Rassie Erasmus’ ‘irreplaceable’ back and ’embarrassing’ depth
Springboks Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Zach Porthen and head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus’ charges went three from three in the July Nations Championship matches, beating England, Scotland and Wales respectively; here’s how we rate every Springboks player’s performances in July.
Outside backs
Damian Willemse: Simply incredible against England at Ellis Park, where he dominated the airwaves and produced an epic shift that should have resulted in a man of the match award had it not been for SuperSport’s blunder. Moved into the midfield against Scotland and was superb against the brilliant Sione Tuipulotu and enjoyed a lively cameo off the bench in Durban against Wales. A stunning start to the year as he also celebrated his 50th cap in the first game of the season. Quite simply, a world-class operator. 9
Aphelele Fassi: Started against Scotland and Wales at full-back but the Sharks star is lacking game time, and it’s showing. While others have returned from injury and hit the ground sprinting, Fassi is struggling to find his form and was error-ridden in both of his appearances. His performances weren’t detrimental to South Africa’s cause, but they were hardly helpful. Will need to improve fast. 5
Kurt-Lee Arendse: Also not quite at his best at the moment but still managed to score tries in each of his appearances, taking his Test tally to 25 in 32 appearances – a 78.1% strike rate. A nuts-and-bolts player who always does what his position requires of him, and that was what he did in July. Solid without hitting his usual highs. 6
Canan Moodie: Limited to just 23 minutes off the bench against England with injury and illness denying him further opportunities this month. He managed to trouble the English defence in that short cameo but overall, didn’t have much to do. A shame he didn’t get to play more. 6
Cheslin Kolbe: Just one appearance for the superstar winger this month, and Kolbe did not disappoint with a 15-point haul against England. He used his dazzling footwork to skin Cadan Murley and score a belter of a try. He showed off his goal-kicking accuracy, knocking over five conversions. He impressed on defence and under the high ball too, again proving his world-class pedigree. 8
Ethan Hooker: Erasmus was left baffled that the returning back was pulled from proceedings in Pretoria for an HIA. He returned from injury ahead of schedule for the clash with Scotland and equipped himself well overall. Solid without being outstanding. 6
Edwill van der Merwe: Starved of possession against Scotland after his hat-trick against Baa-Baas. However, he kept Kyle Steyn largely quiet during his shift and contested under the high ball too. 6
Jaco Williams: A dream debut against Wales as he scored and assisted a try and played a major role in another and did so at his club’s home ground – a special talent at just 21 years old. 8
Centres
Jesse Kriel: Played all three fixtures for the Springboks in the number 13 jersey and crossed the whitewash on every occasion. Led the defence well but showed he has far more to his game than just that. His try against Scotland was crucial to the victory overall. He was brilliant in July; no wonder the coaches thought he was undroppable, irreplaceable. 8
Damian de Allende: Started the first and third Test alongside Kriel as the duo extended their record as the most-capped Springbok centre pairing. He is on the cusp of becoming a centurion and deservedly so. De Allende is seldom flashy but always effective, and that’s exactly what he produced in Johannesburg and Durban, erroneously earning the man-of-the-match award in the former. 7
Fly-halves
Manie Libbok: Marshalled the Boks’ attack effectively against England and kicked well out of hand as South Africa dominated the English in the air. Came off the bench to see out the victory over Wales and the side scored three tries during his cameo. His goal-kicking was wayward that day, while Kolbe took over the duties in the first Test. 7
Handre Pollard: Handed the number 10 jersey for the Loftus showdown with Scotland and moved into the centres later in the game. He missed a ton of tackles, but so did several of his teammates. However, he was hugely influential in securing the win with a flawless goal-kicking display and set up the try for Kriel that sealed the result. It was a statement performance by the veteran playmaker. 8
Quan Horn: One of Erasmus’ biggest experiments against Scotland as the Lions full-back was thrown on at fly-half in the second half, where he remained despite Hooker’s injury when shifting him would have made more sense. He added some real direction and kicked well during that second-half shift. Promising signs. 6
Vusi Moyo: Could have been turning out for the Junior Boks on the same day as his Test debut. His head coach said he ‘performed nervously’ but added that he ‘definitely played well’ and it’s hard to argue with that summation. The 20-year-old didn’t look out of place for a second and had some standout moments, including a cross-kick leading to Kriel’s try. He was set up for success in that game with a powerful pack and experienced backs around him but still deserves the praise he has received. 8
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Scrum-halves
Cobus Reinach: Lifted the tempo on his return from injury against England in the second half as the Springboks ran away with the match before being the perfect guiding hand for Moyo in the clash against Wales. The experienced half-back grabbed a try in the latter Test, and whilst he wasn’t box-office, he showed signs that he is quickly getting back to top form. 7
Grant Williams: Scored a great try against England and was a crucial cog in that victory with his accurate box-kicking wreaking all kinds of havoc for the visitors. He came off the bench for Embrose Papier against Scotland and made an epic cover tackle on Kyle Steyn to deny the winger a possible try. 8
Embrose Papier: The Springboks really got great return from their number nines this month with Papier producing a standout shift in his first appearance in Green and Gold since 2018. He scored a blinder of a try against Scotland at Loftus, but that performance wasn’t without error. Still, good enough to possibly get another look-in this year. 8
Herschel Jantjies: First cap in three years, and while Jantjies also grabbed a five-pointer as reward for his work-rate, the number nine looked to force things against the Welsh. 7
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Loose forwards
Paul de Villiers: The breakout star for the Springboks this month. De Villiers was not even supposed to play against England but ultimately made his Test debut after Siya Kolisi’s withdrawal. He made the most of his opportunity and was rewarded with starts against Scotland and Wales, the latter being the pick of his performances as he collected the man-of-the-match award. He has looked every bit an international flanker and the timing couldn’t have been better following Kwagga Smith’s injury. Consistency was key in his three games, as was his incredible work-rate. 8
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Pieter-Steph du Toit: Never really worse than a 7/10, usually better, and that was the case again in all three Tests. His work-rate and effectiveness is otherwordly. The best player in his position in the world and that was with added lineout and captaincy responsibilities. He was frankly irreplaceable in the Springboks pack and proved it again. Brilliant international performances but by his insanely high standards, over average. 7
Ben-Jason Dixon (2): Possibly lucky to escape a red card for his collision against Scotland, but Dixon helped remedy the Springboks’ lock crisis from the bench in all three Tests. Like PDST, he has an immense work-rate, was a solid lineout option and grabbed a try against England. 7
Cameron Hanekom: Earned his long-awaited second cap for the Springboks after Eben Etzebeth’s withdrawal from the matchday squad to face England. A shuffle in the pack meant he had to don the number seven jersey, and while he had flashes of brilliance, he didn’t quite live up to the hype and pedigree his form with the Bulls suggested he would. Bound to get more opportunities this year and can still be a big player for the team. 6
Jasper Wiese: Ended the debate around who the best Boks’ number eight is as he threw down the gauntlet against England and brutally reinforced his stronghold on the jersey against Wales. His try against the Welsh perfectly illustrated his ball-carrying prowess while he was busy around the park in his two appearances too. 8
Marco van Staden: Two Bomb Squad appearances for the Bulls star who featured purely in the back-row despite moonlighting as a hooker for his club last season. Aggressive and physical in everything he did. He is another who is making Smith’s absence hurt less. 7
Andre Esterhuizen: The Boks’ hybrid man came off the bench in the back-row against England, hence his inclusion among the loose forwards instead of the centres. He was solid in his two brief cameos at Ellis Park before breaking his cheekbone, which denied him further involvement in July. 6
Elrigh Louw: Back in Green and Gold after recovering from a career-threatening injury which came at the worst time as he racked up 11 appearances for the Test team in a single year. The man affectionately known as The Sheriff impressed off the bench against Scotland at Loftus, where he scored a try and was abrasive and effective in contact. He hasn’t quite been in great form since his return, but that shift against the Scots was him laying down a marker and statement that he is back. 7
Evan Roos: Also scored a try against the Scots in his first start since 2024. He was energetic while on the pitch but was pulled by the coaching team before half-time. Looks to be some accuracy issues, or quite simply he is a victim of not being Jasper Wiese. 6
Vincent Tshituka: Given an opportunity to shine off the bench against Scotland, Tshituka didn’t really make the most of his chance. He had a quiet shift and struggled to stand out. 5
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Locks
Ruan Nortje: Like Du Toit, his incredible work-rate is his superpower. He was immense in the first two Tests and then rested for the clash against Wales. The 27-year-old continues to be an incredibly consistent and effective performer for the men in Green and Gold and is bound to be a key figure in the pack throughout this year. 7
Ruben van Heerden: Has been producing strong performances for several seasons now for the Stormers and finally got the chance to replicate that form with the Springboks. He made his debut against Wales, where he ran the lineout well and got through a healthy amount of work on both sides of the ball. Nothing flashy, but that wasn’t required. 7
Cobus Wiese: Looked in barnstorming form against the Scots in the second Test of the year before a rib injury ended his shift prematurely. His fantastic sprint from the restart created controversy, but it was still a sign of what he is capable of. He picked up from where he left off against Wales with an aggressive and physical shift in Durban – his first Test match along with his brother Jasper. His ability to play in the second and back row means he could be a huge asset to the Springboks going forward, especially if he continues in this vein. 8
Hookers
Malcolm Marx: Went the full 80 against England in what was a statement performance. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year scored a try, dominated in contact and was a force over the ball. Backed up that performance against Wales, where he was part of a brutal scrummaging display. Fears that his injury could curtail his international season or hamper his performances were quickly dispelled in his two appearances. 8
Andre-Hugo Venter: Earned just his second Test cap and first since his Test debut against Portugal in 2024 when he came off the bench against Wales and produced a tidy 33-minute shift in the place of Marx. He was truly deserving of a recall due to his Stormers’ form and delivered in Green and Gold with solid set-piece work and a decent amount of effort on both sides of the ball. 6
Johan Grobbelaar: Strong candidate to be Marx’s full-time back-up after putting in another tidy shift against Scotland. He was over-eager launching himself over the line and was ultimately held up. Still, his lineouts went rather smoothly, the scrum was solid, and his work-rate was right up where it needed to be. 7
Jan-Hendrik Wessels: After missing the end-of-year tour through suspension, Erasmus was clearly eager to deploy the versatile front rower this July as he featured in all three Tests. He played at loosehead against England, at hooker and loosehead against Scotland and at prop again versus Wales. It’s not only incredible that he is capable of doing that at the highest level, but he is a real presence around the park too. He had some defensive lapses against the Scots, but overall, he was strong and part of a Bomb Squad that delivered in all three Tests. 7
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Props
Gerhard Steenekamp: An early substitute against England after Ox Nche’s injury, Steenekamp was rock solid in the scrums at Ellis Park and effective around the park. He was rested against Scotland and then started against Wales, where he absolutely battered the Welsh scrum with ruthless precision and power. Appreciated in South Africa but underrated elsewhere, comfortably one of the best looseheads in the world. 8
Wilco Louw: Enjoyed a strong and explosive 40-minute shift against Scotland at Loftus before battering Wales in the scrum in Durban. Illness and personal matters impacted the tail end of his season with the Bulls, but he looks to be getting back to his best in Green and Gold. 7
Zach Porthen: The depth that the Springboks have at tighthead prop is frankly embarrassing. The 22-year-old performed at a level beyond his years this July, especially for a front rower, as he not only got the upper hand in the scrums against England but skittled seasoned internationals out of his path with a brutal carry. Backed that up with a powerhouse shift off the bench against Scotland, where he scored his first Test try for South Africa. He showed real promise when making his debut in November but has already kicked into another gear. 8
Boan Venter: Erasmus expected him to last around half an hour at Loftus considering how long he hadn’t played for after Edinburgh’s early exit from all competition. However, the Lions-bound loosehead impressed so much that the coaching staff left him out until after half-time. He wasn’t rewarded for his scrummaging prowess in the fixture but went about making his mark around the park and did so brilliantly, making two pivotal contributions in Roos’ try. 7
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Carlu Sadie: What a journey it has been for the Bordeaux powerhouse who feared for his career and life after a serious neck injury last January. The potential was always there with Sadie, but now he is delivering on the promising signs of what he is capable of. His dismantling of the Welsh scrum in his Test debut was a demolition job of epic proportions and another indication of just how blessed the Boks are in the front row. 8
Ntuthuko Mchunu: The Bok coaching team have been eager to get more minutes into Mchunu at the highest level, and perhaps we saw why against Scotland. He has all the makings to be a world-class loosehead, and he showed that in his first season with the Stormers; whilst his scrummaging was on point, there were aspects of his game that fell short. He was repeatedly caught out defensively off the bench against the Scots and wasn’t as impactful ball in hand. Still, the raw talents are there, and this won’t be his last appearance in Green and Gold. 5
Ox Nche: While it does seem harsh to give a rating on just eight minutes on the park, we are delivering on the headline. Ox didn’t get the opportunity to earn his cake at scrum time against the English before being forced off through injury but did make a cracking break, leading to Kolbe’s try, rampaging through Jamie George and Ollie Chessum. That was the highlight of his short cameo. 7
Thomas du Toit: The coaching staff know what they have in Du Toit, and that paired with his workload with Bath is probably the reason we saw him play just once in July. He started against the English and the scrum battle was even on the balance sheet, while he would have been disappointed by his tackle attempt on Ellis Genge as the prop powered over for a try. Still, better than average and is bound to be a crucial squad member for the Greatest Rivalry series. 6