springbok players assessment

Jan de Koning, Rugby365

However, the 36-27 win over England in Johannesburg on Saturday produced everything that is good, bad and even ugly about Springbok rugby.

Four tries to three, 22-3 after 20 minutes and the Boks looked like world champions. Move the clock on 40 minutes and the scoreline reads 31-27. Also, after leading 28 – 10 just after half-time, the home side managed to lose their structure and had to scramble for the win.

Injuries may also have been a factor, as the high number of replacements impacted on the Boks’ momentum.

15 Pat Lambie:
His positional play was from the top shelve and not even a heavily strapped ankle (when he came down heavily from a high ball in the first half) seemed to bother him.
6/10

14 JP Pietersen:
He found his verve and swerve, while his workrate was even more impressive. There was one great run in the second half – when the Boks were under pressure and he finished off a move he started way back in his own half – that said all about his game. His defence was also exemplary – such as the occasion when he shoved a charging Thomas Waldrom into touch.
8/10

13 Jean de Villiers (captain):
Great chasing to set up scrum five metres from England line and his defence was dominant – resulted in a few turnovers. However, it was his sublime off-loading that really impressed.
7/10

12 Frans Steyn:
Took the ball up strongly and then produced a sublime grubber that almost resulted in a try. However, his power with all in hand is what made him so valuable to this team.
7/10

11 Bryan Habana:
He continues to regain his best form, even though it was by no means flawless. Made plenty of ground with ball in hand early in the match, and even starting to win turnovers at the breakdown.
6/10

10 Morné Steyn:
He appears to be so intent on silencing those critics, who suggest he is one-dimensional and don’t have a running game, that he is neglecting what makes him so great – his kicking. While his out of hand kicking mostly kept the English on the back foot, he did put one directly into touch that ultimately resulted in an England try. His goal-kicking remains an issue and some of his options can be questioned
5/10

9 François Hougaard:
His options were much better and only when he sniped it counted. He handled the ball 79 times, passing it 72 times. And he scored a great try.
6/10

8 Pierre Spies:
The most impressive aspect of his game – apart from his powerful carries and weaving runs – was his work off the ball and a number of line-out steals.
7/10

7 Willem Alberts:
He set the tone with that early pick-up from a scrum for the opening try and then continued with those bullocking runs to which England had no answer. He could do a bit more work on defence.
8/10

6 Marcell Coetzee:
He ran into space and took the ball up at pace to ensure the Boks got on the front foot from the outset. However, he produced the highest tackle count of the Boks and did not slip a single one.
7/10

5 Juandré Kruger:
One of the unsung heroes of the pack – doing the hard yards in the close exchanges. He was missed when he left the field.
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth:
He is growing in stature with every match and at this will rate will be a fixture in the Boks’ second row for years to come. Another monster on defence.
7/10

3 Jannie du Plessis:
His scrumming has improved out of this world and his cleaning out at the ruck was also impressive. Did not slip a single tackle.
6/10

2 Bismarck du Plessis:
His workrate was immense in the early stages – cleaning out countless rucks and then charged at the English as much as any of the other Bok forwards. He produced his usual turnovers.
7/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
Beeeaaaast! That cry went up numerous times and grew louder with every metre he gained in the first half. But he was the epitome of the Bok team after the break – some strong moments and then got dominated in the scrums.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Adriaan Strauss (on for B du Plessis, 60 min):
Simply did not have the same impact as last week.
5/10

17 Werner Kruger (on for J du Plessis, 59th min):
One very strong run, but then penalised at another scrum. Boks appeared to lose momentum with the changes.
5/10

18 Flip van der Merwe (on for J Kruger, 62nd min):
He had his moments, but also disappeared at times. Struggled to get into the game.
5/10

19 Keegan Daniel (on for Alberts, 52nd min):
He did nothing wrong, but was pretty much anonymous and the absence of Alberts was certainly felt by the Boks.
5/10

20 Ruan Pienaar (on for Habana, 57th min):
Made one tackle, but was mostly a link. Another questionable replacements.
5/10

21 Wynand Olivier (on for Lambie, 44th min):
Made his tackles, as he always does, but otherwise had no impact on the game. His move to centre also eliminated the effectiveness of Frans Steyn, who moved to fullback.
5/10

biltongbek wrote:Offload, he had a good game, but similarly to Etzebeth they manage to remain on their feet but dom't offload when there are support runners, so yeah, maybe a little harsh, I do agree though he had a very good game. But then don't forget the try he gifted England with that long throw in.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Pieterson try was very smart. After nearly 10 years of always kick the ball back nobody expect a run-return from a deep kick.

Pieterson just run through the England team and no one could believe what was happened and all out of position to tackle!

It was like a punch line to a very long joke.

Taylorman wrote:Yes appreciate that bullsbok. Its just whether its the game to be no.1. It could well be if Hansen doesnt have Henrys instinct in knowing how to match it.

Mixed results for us doesnt push our style out there a lot either.

Whether Ireland can back that up I have my doubts. But England dont look like they have a lot more in them either.

Wales were unlucky but not retaining the ball at the end is basic rugby 101 and reminds of Donald ducks explosion in hong kong.

More interesting matches than last week even if the same results.