Springboks player ratings: Pack flattens Wales as Canan Moodie and Jesse Kriel shine

Jared Wright
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Springboks Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Manie Libbok and Jesse Kriel in action in Cardiff against Wales during the Rugby World Cup warm-up match

Springboks Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Manie Libbok and Jesse Kriel in action in Cardiff against Wales.

Following the Springboks’ 52-16 victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Cardiff, here is how we rated the South African players.

15 Willie le Roux: A few struggles under the high ball with Kieran Hardy kicking well in the first half. Showed his value on attack, assisting another try for Canan Moodie and forced the error from Rio Dyer for the second. 7

Player of the match Moodie

14 Canan Moodie: Sam Warburton picked the Springbok flyer as the player of the match after another stunning showing. He grabbed two tries and came narrowly close to making it three. His defensive reads will please Jacques Nienaber, especially for his second try. Moodie did have some soft moments, but all-in-all another impressive game from the 20-year-old. 8

13 Jesse Kriel: While the centre is usually a safe and solid performer for the Springboks, Kriel was a superstar today. He worked tirelessly on both sides of the ball, his work rate rewarding him with a try in the first half. He showed off his pace in the second after Pieter-Steph du Toit’s intercept and didn’t give an inch on defence. With Lukhanyo Am injured, Kriel proved that the number 13 jersey is safe in his hands. 8

12 Damian de Allende: Regularly got over the advantage line, linked up with some good hands, won a turnover at the breakdown and was rock solid on defence. 7

Elusive Kolbe

11 Cheslin Kolbe: The box office winger was a real handful for Wales as he beat defenders with regular ease and contested in the air well too. He gained over 100 metres from the few opportunities he did get the ball in space. 7

10 Manie Libbok: A few wobbles from the tee, which will not ease the concerns, but that mattered little today. He marshalled the attack wonderfully along with Le Roux and Damian Willemse. He did kick out on the full once, but overall, his kicking was on point out of hand. His excellence on attack was crucial in posting over 50 points. 8

9 Jaden Hendrikse: Swift, sharp and accurate in a promising 62-minute outing on his return from injury and compassionate leave. A lot of the Springboks’ brilliance on attack was down to his near-flawless surface. 7

Back row and Siya Kolisi’s return

8 Jasper Wiese: Stripped of the ball in the first half, but that was one of the few blips in his game. He got stuck into the breakdown and was his usual excellent self with his barnstorming carries.7

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: We have noted several times over the last month or so that the sensational blindside flanker was trending towards his 2019 form, and today he hit it. It was an all-action blockbuster showing. The busiest tackler in Green and Gold, strong in the defensive mauls and made an outstanding intercept to set up Kriel’s second try before deservedly scoring one himself. The comparisons to Juan Smith will continue. 8

6 Siya Kolisi: After his miraculous comeback, the Springboks’ skipper produced a stellar 40-minute shift 119 days after he sustained the setback. His offload to Malcolm Marx for the opening try set the tone for his performance, which included some great carries, great cover tackles and good breakdown work. 8

Munster locks

5 RG Snyman: A first start in nearly four years for the second-rower and made the most of it. He flexed all of his skills with delightful hands, called the lineout well, and dominated contact. 7

4 Jean Kleyn: Key to dismantling Wales’ maul in the first half and was immaculate in the contact areas stalling the Welsh attack with choke tackles. An abrasive, effective and clean shift from the tighthead lock. 7

Front-row and ‘Bomb Squad’

3 Frans Malherbe: One penalty against him before he was taken off, but the Springbok tighthead had the Welsh pack in reverse for the entire first half. Made some good carries, but he prides himself on his set-piece work, and he shone in that facet. 7

2 Malcolm Marx: The hooker equalled Schalk Burger’s record of the most Springbok tries from a forward, dotting down for his 16th five-pointer. He was a pest at the breakdown once again and brutally effective with the ball in hand, making a key carry in the build-up to their second try. 8

1 Steven Kitshoff: Like his tighthead, Kitshoff conceded a penalty, his was at the breakdown, before being replaced. But that shouldn’t take away from an otherwise super game from the prop. He gained over 15 metres from his four carries and was staunch on defence. 7

Replacements: The front-rowers continued the dominance in the scrums while the rest of the pack kept the pace set in the first 40 minutes. While Willemse will be disappointed by his yellow card, the rest of the bench impressed. 7

READ MORE: Eight-try Springboks put 52 points on Wales in Siya Kolisi’s comeback game

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