Springboks v Wallabies: Winners and losers as ‘flawless’ Handre Pollard shines while James O’Connor’s late blunders cost Australia
Handre Pollard impressed for the Springboks.
Following the Springboks’ 30-22 victory over the Wallabies at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, here are the key winners and losers from the clash on Saturday.
Winners
Handre Pollard
Two penalties from two off the tee early on helped set the tone and steady any Springbok nerves after last week’s defeat. The recalled fly-half then launched an excellent flat cross-kick for Canan Moodie to go over on 11 minutes, adding the conversion too for 13-7. He finished with 15 points in a flawless performance off the tee.
Corey Toole
Scored a try on debut after just eight minutes as he showed his searing pace when Nic White grubbered through for him into space. As many Super Rugby Pacific watchers will know, there was only going to be one winner as Toole is a speed merchant. The new Wallaby had a few nice touches thereafter in a positive first outing.
Cheslin Kolbe
A notable return to Test rugby from the decorated Springboks wing as he showed his class throughout in Cape Town. Kolbe commanded the airwaves as South Africa peppered the skies via the boot of Pollard and Aphelele Fassi. In possession, too he was his slippery self as the wing impressed in another high-class showing.
Ox Nche
Enjoyed a longer stint on the field today and that was probably due to the fine work he was doing up front. Nche won a penalty at scrum time on five minutes, which led to Pollard making it 6-0, and later in the Test, he disrupted Tate McDermott at the back of a maul to force an error. A no frills but effective shift from the prop.
Len Ikitau
Impressive every time he pulls on the gold jersey, and again, Ikitau was in the mood today, making decent ground with ball in hand and was a strong presence defensively. What a signing he promises to be for Exeter in the Prem this season but for now, Australia have a gem at 12 who can drive them to bigger and better things.
Eben Etzebeth
When the Springboks needed something, the veteran delivered, coming off the bench to get what proved to be the match-sealing try on 74 minutes. Acting as an impact man, Etzebeth stepped up when it mattered as he reached out just enough from a close-range carry to graze the try-line, making it 30-22, which was how things ended.
Losers
Tom Wright
One of the form players on the planet at the moment after sparkling form in the British and Irish Lions series and against South Africa at Ellis Park, but unfortunately, his evening was cut short after a knee injury struck on four minutes. It looked innocuous, but sometimes those are the most concerning, as the Wallabies star came off. Australia will be holding its breath on the news of the injury, as they will be desperate to have him back for the upcoming clashes with Argentina and New Zealand.
Jean-Luc du Preez
Talk about bad luck. Du Preez had waited seven years for his next Springboks start, and it was cruelly taken away from him due to illness on Saturday. The announcement came just an hour before kick-off as Kwagga Smith replaced him in the XV. Du Preez will hope another chance to run out from the off comes around much sooner than last time, but one can’t help but think that with Jasper Wiese returning from a ban, today was his best chance to make an impression, so it’s a real shame for him.
Nic White
The veteran started the game like a house on fire with quick thinking from a free-kick, seeing him tap and kick through, knowing that Toole would have the pace to get there first and score. However, shortly afterwards, Springboks number eight Smith threw him to the ground and his head thumped the surface, ending his game.
Jesse Kriel
Not regarding his performance as the South Africa’s skipper, he had a solid outing in the midfield alongside Damian de Allende. However, it was frustrating to see the captain race in to ask referee James Doleman to check for head contact on four occasions in the first half. Doleman was clearly irritated by it too, stating “three of the four times have been incorrect” in a firm message to Kriel to cool it. We do not want rugby to turn into football in terms of hounding refs. This needs nipping in the bud.
James O’Connor
Possibly harsh given his overall performance, but how costly might those three late missed kicks at goal prove in the later stages of the Rugby Championship title race? O’Connor was wayward with a conversion attempt for Brandon Paenga-Amosa’s try on 68 minutes and then missed a relatively easy penalty and one from long-range late on. A losing bonus point would have been a welcome consolation for Australia, taking six points from the two Tests in South Africa. However, they must settle for five.
READ MORE: Springboks exact revenge over Wallabies in Cape Town to get Rugby Championship hopes back on track
