The Springboks secured a 42–24 win over a second-string Italy side at Loftus Versfeld — but this was far from a convincing display. In the build-up, expectations were clear: anything short of a 30-point demolition would raise eyebrows. And while the scoreboard says “comfortable win,” the performance left plenty on the table.
Sloppy defense, poor discipline in the final quarter, and a lack of urgency in key phases allowed Italy to stay in the contest far longer than they should have. Yes, the Boks bagged six tries and blooded new combinations — but this wasn’t the ruthless machine we’ve come to expect under Rassie Erasmus.
Here’s how the men in green and gold rated:
PLAYER RATINGS
15. Damian Willemse – 7/10
A solid return to the Test arena. Showed his usual flair on attack and kicked smartly, but lacked game-breaking moments.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 8/10
Even when he’s not at his best, Kolbe finds ways to create magic. Beat defenders, sparked counters, and added bite on defense.
13. Jesse Kriel (c) – 7/10
Played well overall, but the weight of captaincy may be muting his usual energy. Needs to grow into the leadership role fast.
12. Damian de Allende – 9/10
The Boks’ best on the day. Carried with venom, hit hard in defense, and led the midfield charge. My Man of the Match.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8.5/10
Electric as always. Found space, danced past defenders, and looked hungry every time he touched the ball.
10. Handré Pollard – 7.5/10
Managed the game well with precise kicking and calm decision-making. A few missed tackles slightly marred an otherwise sharp outing.
9. Morné van den Berg – 7.5/10
Named official Man of the Match for his two tries, but his overall performance was patchy. Passing and ruck tempo remain work-ons.
8. Jasper Wiese – 7/10
Truck-like carries, but lacked the dynamism we’ve seen from him at his best.
7. Vincent Tshituka – 8/10
This man is on fire. Another imposing display filled with aggression, pace, and hunger. A future regular?
6. Marco van Staden – 8/10
Immense at the breakdown, scored a try, and tackled like a demon. Classic fetcher performance.
5. Lood de Jager – 7/10
Controlled the lineouts and offered steady work around the park.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 7/10
Quiet by his standards, but still delivered physicality and set-piece security.
3. Wilco Louw – 7/10
Anchored the scrum well and put in a physical shift. Growing into his role.
2. Malcolm Marx – 7.5/10
Hit his jumpers mostly, smashed into contact, and contributed at the ruck. A reliable enforcer.
1. Ox Nché – 7/10
Strong at scrum time and held his ground well in the trenches.
THE BENCH
16. Bongi Mbonambi – 5.5/10
Struggled to assert himself after coming on. One of his quieter performances.
17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels – 4/10
A rough day at the office. Conceded two late penalties and looked off the pace.
18. Vincent Koch – 7.5/10
Brought real energy and experience off the bench. Strong carries and dominant scrums.
19. RG Snyman – 6.5/10
Not the impact expected from the towering lock. Looked rusty and lacked his usual spark.
20. Franco Mostert – 6.5/10
Worked hard, but couldn’t shift the momentum. Not his usual high-output self.
21. Kwagga Smith – 7/10
A bundle of energy. Made yards with the ball and always looked busy.
22. Faf de Klerk – 7/10
First appearance in a while and looked sharp. Tempo, experience, and trademark feistiness.
23. Willie le Roux – N/A
Didn’t play long enough to make a proper impact.
COACH’S CORNER: A MIXED BAG FOR RASSIE
This wasn’t a disaster — far from it. But Rassie Erasmus will know his side left a lot of meat on the bone. Defensive lapses, ill-discipline in the final quarter, and clunky ruck speed meant Italy were allowed far too many inroads.
There were bright sparks: De Allende was immense, Kolbe and Arendse shone in patches, and Tshituka continues to rise. But combinations still need fine-tuning, and the bench lacked its usual punch.
With stronger opposition looming, the Springboks must tighten up — and fast.
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.