It may not have been a classic, but it was certainly gripping. South Africa edged past a resurgent Wallaby side in a contest that could have swung either way. For Rassie Erasmus, this was a step in the right direction after last week’s disaster, though plenty of questions remain around discipline and selection.
On the other side, Joe Schmidt is beginning to mould a Wallaby outfit that looks hungry, organised, and willing to fight until the final whistle. The Australians fell short, but Schmidt can be proud of the effort his side produced.
With that, here are our Springbok player ratings:
Player Ratings
15. Aphelele Fassi – 6/10
Still searching for his best form after a strong 2024.
14. Canan Moodie – 6/10
Excellent under the high ball but made costly errors in the second half.
13. Jesse Kriel (C) – 7/10
Led with composure. A couple of strong tackles underlined a steady performance as stand-in captain.
12. Damian de Allende – 8/10
Playing some of the finest rugby of his career—powerful, direct, and reliable.
11. Cheslin Kolbe – 9/10
Magnificent. Rock solid under the high ball, dangerous with ball in hand, and relentless in defence.
10. Handré Pollard – 9.5/10
Man of the Match. His control, kicking, and calm decision-making reminded everyone just how vital he remains to the Springboks.
9. Grant Williams – 8/10
Sharp around the fringes with crisp passing and accurate box-kicks.
8. Kwagga Smith – 7/10
Scored a try and popped up everywhere with his trademark energy.
7. Franco Mostert – 7/10
Did the unseen graft that often goes unnoticed but lays the platform for others.
6. Marco van Staden – 5/10
Conceded too many penalties and struggled to impose himself. Needs a reset.
5. Ruan Nortje – 7/10
Reliable at the lineout and industrious with ball in hand.
4. RG Snyman – 7/10
The Viking brought physicality and composure throughout.
3. Thomas du Toit – 7/10
Solid in the scrum, carried strongly, and tackled with intent.
2. Malcolm Marx – 8/10
A force at the breakdown and dominant in contact. Firmly staking his claim as the Bok first-choice hooker.
1. Ox Nche – 8.5/10
Immense once again. Currently the best loosehead prop in the world.
Replacements
16. Marnus van der Merwe – N/A
On too late to make an impact.
17. Boan Venter – N/A
Didn’t have enough time to influence proceedings.
18. Wilco Louw – 6/10
Short cameo but effective in the tight exchanges.
19. Eben Etzebeth – 7/10
Made a huge impact off the bench and scored the winning try.
20. Lood de Jager – 6/10
Showed glimpses with a couple of carries but was largely quiet.
21. André Esterhuizen – N/A
Introduced late as a flanker replacement; not enough minutes for a fair rating.
22. Cobus Reinach – 6/10
Injected pace but struggled to stamp his authority.
23. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 5/10
Okay under the high ball but nearly cost the Boks with a reckless high tackle.
Coach’s Corner
The Springboks showed resilience in closing out a tight match, but discipline continues to haunt them. Marco van Staden’s penalty count will be a concern, while questions remain about whether the bench has the impact needed at Test level.
Handré Pollard’s performance was the clear highlight. His kicking, tactical control, and composure steadied the ship. Cheslin Kolbe was another standout, proving once again why he is indispensable in big games.
What’s Next?
The All Blacks await at Eden Park—the fortress where so many South African campaigns have faltered. To topple New Zealand there, the Boks will need greater precision at the breakdown, fewer penalties, and sharper execution in attack.
If the discipline issues persist, a bruising reality check looms. But with Pollard in commanding form and Kolbe firing on all cylinders, South Africa still carries hope.
What the ratings mean
10 – World-Class: A flawless, unforgettable performance. Dominated every aspect of the game.
9 – Outstanding: Nearly perfect. Played a crucial role and made a big impact.
8 – Excellent: A top-tier display with strong contributions throughout.
7 – Very Good: Reliable and effective. Did the basics well with a few standout moments.
6 – Solid: Decent shift. No fireworks, but they held their own.
5 – Below Average: Mixed performance. Some good, some shaky.
4 – Disappointing: Struggled to influence the game. Too many errors or missed opportunities.
3 – Poor: Lacked composure and execution. Clearly off their game.
2 – Very Poor: Frequently exposed. A performance to forget.
1 – Nightmare: Completely out of sorts. Arguably cost the team.