Springboks player ratings: Phenomenal Deon Fourie and Handre Pollard’s 100% return

Following South Africa’s 49-18 Rugby World Cup Pool B victory over Tonga, here is how we rated the Springboks.

15 Willie le Roux: The veteran full-back became just the third backline player to play 90 Tests for the Springboks, but it was not a vintage performance. He almost cost his side a try when he failed to field a cross-kick in goal. He did cross the line for a score of his own but fluffed another chance with a forward pass. 5

14 Grant Williams: A second cap on the wing for the scrum-half, and he showed the kind of threat he can be with some great runs out wide. He also did not disappoint on defence but did make a costly mistake with his no-look pass going to ground before Patrick Pellegrini’s try. 6

13 Canan Moodie: The youngster clearly listened to his youth coaches, playing until he heard the whistle which awarded him the second Springboks‘ try of the game. He made some good reads on defence and assisted a try in another stellar outing. 8

🇿🇦 Vincent Koch trying his best @JoeMarler… #RSAvTGA #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/b9D1hJ3y3v

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) October 1, 2023

12 Andre Esterhuizen: The powerhouse centre showed off his full box of tricks with good distribution and strong carries while adding a few standout clearouts at the breakdown. He did have a few lapses with ball in hand, but nothing too costly. 6

11 Makazole Mapimpi: Last just half an hour with a high tackle ending his game early. Until then, the veteran winger did little wrong as he made his tackles and regularly got over the gain line when in possession. 6

Handre Pollard’s return

10 Handre Pollard: First Test cap since the Rugby Championship last year. He seemed to shake off the rust relatively quickly and knocked over all four of his conversion attempts, fronted up on defence and kicked well out of hand. The backline was a bit flat with him in control, but overall, from a Springbok point of view, it was a pleasing return. 8

9 Cobus Reinach: Caught the Tongan defence napping as he raced through to score the opening try of the game. The nippy number nine was a bit slow at times to get the ball out of mauls, but was otherwise sharp with his service and kicks. 7

8 Jasper Wiese: The Springboks needed to wear Tonga down, and the abrasive number eight led the charge in doing so, landing some hammering hits, including one where he drove Leva Fifita backwards, and was just as brutal with ball in hand. 7

7 Duane Vermeulen: A stock standard Vermeulen-esque performance where he was solid in all facets of the game. It wasn’t a standout game, but one where he got the job done with little fuss. 6

6 Siya Kolisi: His 50th Test match as Springboks captain. He was another player who was incredibly busy on defence and at the breakdown but got very few chances in attack. 6

Tight five

5 Marvin Orie: He and Eben Etzebeth charged up well to pressure William Havili and Augustine Pulu’s kicks and had success in doing so. He was extremely busy on defence and ran a largely successful lineout. 7

4 Eben Etzebeth: Up to his usual high standard as he constantly put pressure on the Tongan half-backs attempting charge downs and got stuck in with a few hefty tackles. 7

3 Vincent Koch: Got the upper hand in the scrums and ran some sharp lines on attack. It was his first start in four years for the Boks, and he did not disappoint. 6

2 Deon Fourie: Adam Coleman picked off one of the hooker’s throws, but that was more of him out-jumping the Boks than a poor throw. Fourie was at his combative best again as he went foraging for turnovers. He landed some excellent tackles, too. Grew into the game and looked at home in the number two jumper for the first time with the Boks and was simply phenomenal. 9

1 Ox Nche: Strong in the scrums and put in a busy defensive shift. He won a turnover, too, and made inroads in the Tongan defence whenever he carried to the line. 7

Replacements: Jesse Kriel and Kwagga Smith were excellent off the bench with the former coming on late in the first half. Marco van Staden also grabbed a try off the bench while Manie Libbok was accurate off the tee and landed a good shot on defence which resulted into a try. 7

READ MORE: Springboks claim maximum against Tonga as they await knockout fate