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\u2019s disaster, though plenty of questions remain around discipline and selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that, here are our Springbok player ratings<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15. Aphelele Fassi \u2013 6\/10<\/strong> 14. Canan Moodie \u2013 6\/10<\/strong> 13. Jesse Kriel (C) \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 12. Damian de Allende \u2013 8\/10<\/strong> 11. Cheslin Kolbe \u2013 9\/10<\/strong> 10. Handr\u00e9 Pollard \u2013 9.5\/10<\/strong> 9. Grant Williams \u2013 8\/10<\/strong> 8. Kwagga Smith \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 7. Franco Mostert \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 6. Marco van Staden \u2013 5\/10<\/strong> 5. Ruan Nortje \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 4. RG Snyman \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 3. Thomas du Toit \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 2. Malcolm Marx \u2013 8\/10<\/strong> 1. Ox Nche \u2013 8.5\/10<\/strong> 16. Marnus van der Merwe \u2013 N\/A<\/strong> 17. Boan Venter \u2013 N\/A<\/strong> 18. Wilco Louw \u2013 6\/10<\/strong> 19. Eben Etzebeth \u2013 7\/10<\/strong> 20. Lood de Jager \u2013 6\/10<\/strong> 21. Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen \u2013 N\/A<\/strong> 22. Cobus Reinach \u2013 6\/10<\/strong> 23. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu \u2013 5\/10<\/strong> The Springboks showed resilience in closing out a tight match, but discipline continues to haunt them. Marco van Staden\u2019s penalty count will be a concern, while questions remain about whether the bench has the impact needed at Test level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Handr\u00e9 Pollard\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The All Blacks await at Eden Park\u2014the 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10 \u2013 World-Class:<\/strong> A flawless, unforgettable performance. Dominated every aspect of the game. 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,45],"tags":[9,52,48],"class_list":["post-1231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-player-ratings","tag-rugby","tag-rugby-championship","tag-springboks"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nPlayer Ratings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Still searching for his best form after a strong 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excellent under the high ball but made costly errors in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Led with composure. A couple of strong tackles underlined a steady performance as stand-in captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing some of the finest rugby of his career\u2014powerful, direct, and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Magnificent. Rock solid under the high ball, dangerous with ball in hand, and relentless in defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Man of the Match. His control, kicking, and calm decision-making reminded everyone just how vital he remains to the Springboks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharp around the fringes with crisp passing and accurate box-kicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scored a try and popped up everywhere with his trademark energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did the unseen graft that often goes unnoticed but lays the platform for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conceded too many penalties and struggled to impose himself. Needs a reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reliable at the lineout and industrious with ball in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Viking brought physicality and composure throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solid in the scrum, carried strongly, and tackled with intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A force at the breakdown and dominant in contact. Firmly staking his claim as the Bok first-choice hooker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immense once again. Currently the best loosehead prop in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReplacements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On too late to make an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Didn\u2019t have enough time to influence proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Short cameo but effective in the tight exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made a huge impact off the bench and scored the winning try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Showed glimpses with a couple of carries but was largely quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduced late as a flanker replacement; not enough minutes for a fair rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Injected pace but struggled to stamp his authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okay under the high ball but nearly cost the Boks with a reckless high tackle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCoach\u2019s Corner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What the ratings mean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9 \u2013 Outstanding:<\/strong> Nearly perfect. Played a crucial role and made a big impact.
8 \u2013 Excellent:<\/strong> A top-tier display with strong contributions throughout.
7 \u2013 Very Good:<\/strong> Reliable and effective. Did the basics well with a few standout moments.
6 \u2013 Solid:<\/strong> Decent shift. No fireworks, but they held their own.
5 \u2013 Below Average:<\/strong> Mixed performance. Some good, some shaky.
4 \u2013 Disappointing:<\/strong> Struggled to influence the game. Too many errors or missed opportunities.
3 \u2013 Poor:<\/strong> Lacked composure and execution. Clearly off their game.
2 \u2013 Very Poor:<\/strong> Frequently exposed. A performance to forget.
1 \u2013 Nightmare:<\/strong> Completely out of sorts. Arguably cost the team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"