PLAYER RATINGS | The Viking, Eskom and Andre the Giant among outstanding Springbok performers

The Springboks were severely disrupted by red and yellow cards in their match against Italy, while Head Impact Assessments also took a toll. The coaching staff had a tough time keeping track of who was on and off the field as they made plan after plan. Still, most of the individuals had an opportunity to make an impact in the dogged 32-14 win. We rate the Springboks.

15 Damian Willemse (9)

 If the fullback was erratic the week before against France, he was magnificent in this match. He was a rock at the back, showing excellent field positioning to take endless high balls in the wet. He was the deserved Player of the Match.

14 Edwill van der Merwe (7)

The winger was one of the players indirectly but heavily impacted by the Mostert red card. Around the half-hour mark, he was replaced by Andre Esterhuizen. He had seen little of the ball on attack in that period, but was very good in cover defence. He came back on late in the game for Kurt-Lee Arendse.

13 Canan Moodie (8)

He was consistently good as players came and went all around him. His tackling was exceptional. Late in the game, he memorably wrong-footed Louis Lynagh to set up the try for Grant Williams.

12 Ethan Hooker (7.5)

The red card disruption meant he had little time at 12 in his return to his preferred position — he shifted back out to the wing to make way for Esterhuizen. Like the latter, he spent time at flank in the set scrums. He was a model of determination, as he played and was rewarded with a try at the death.

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (6)

It was an unfortunate outing for the plucky wing in that he had few opportunities on attack during a first half in which the Boks soaked up pressure. He went off at the end of the half for an HIA and never returned.

10 Handre Pollard (7)

With his vast experience, Pollard did an excellent job in keeping the Boks calm as disruption rocked the team endlessly. His game management in the rain was very good, as was his kicking, for goal and out of hand.

9 Morne van den Berg (7.5)

Like Pollard, there was a big responsibility on the halfback to settle the team, and he did that well with some immaculate box kicking. He took his try superbly at a crucial time of the match. The nippy Lion has bagged four tries in his five Test appearances.

8 Marco van Staden (8.5)

Despite his yellow card for a deliberate offence on defence, the man they call Eskom deserves a high rating. He epitomised Springbok defiance. He was huge on attack and defence. Add in the fact that he was playing out of position, and you have probably Van Staden’s best Test performance.

7 Ben-Jason Dixon

Sadly, he can’t be rated. He was on the field for just 11 minutes before being sacrificed when Franco Mostert was sent off. Coach Rassie Erasmus was spot on when he said after the game that the refereeing calls can impact players' careers, because this was Dixon’s big chance.

6 Siya Kolisi (6)

For the second match in a row, the captain spent the second half watching from the stands because of circumstances beyond his control. Before making way in the 45th minute, he had some strong ball carries and was a powerful presence at the breakdowns.

5 Franco Mostert

The unfortunate lock cut a devastated figure as he watched 70 minutes of the game, pondering what he had done wrong to get red-carded. Like Dixon, he did not play long enough to warrant a rating.

4 Jean Kleyn (7)

With his team a man down in the pack, Kleyn’s customary honest industry was more important than ever. As always, he rolled up his sleeves and emptied the tank in doing the unglamorous work required in the engine room.

3 Zachary Porthen (5)

The youngster was doing well in his second start for his country before having to be subbed in the 19th minute as the coaching staff dealt with the fallout from the red card. Wilco Louw’s experience and power were urgently required.

2 Johan Grobbelaar (8.5)

The hooker was outstanding across the full 80 minutes he had to play. His set-piece work was faultless and his effort ceaseless. The turnover he made in the 70th minute was crucial.

1 Boan Venter (6)

Venter was having a solid outing before being replaced in the 24th minute by Gerhard Steenekamp as the coaching staff looked to shore up the depleted scrum with the big Bull’s experience. Venter returned just before half-time when Steenekamp went off for an HIA.

REPLACEMENTS

Gerhard Steenkamp (7)

The big Bull helped Wilco Louw stabilise the scrum after Porthen and Venter were subbed. Steenkamp also made some significant carries.

Wilco Louw (7)

Immense in the scrums as ever, he was also busy with his ball carries, often generating momentum for his team with strong surges.

Andre Esterhuizen (8.5)

He has been called a hybrid and a “Flenter” as he moves between flank and centre. Call him what you want, for the second match in a row, Andre the Giant has been invaluable for his team as they dealt with crises.

Ruan Nortje (7.5)

With his big engine, Nortje is the perfect man to bring on when your team is down a player. The lanky lock is having a stand-out season for his country with his industrious performances.

RG Snyman (8)

The Viking took over the captaincy from Kolisi and led the Springbok fight back from the front. His country needed him to rise to the occasion, and he did.

Kwagga Smith (7.5)

He came on 15 minutes into the second half and provided priceless energy. He was a constant nuisance and pulled off some important turnovers.

Manie Libbok (6.5)

His game management was sound in the final 15 minutes of the game that he played. His cross-kick for Hooker’s try was superb.

Grant Williams (7.5)

Is he the quickest player in world rugby? The Italians would suggest as much after he proved too much for them in the final quarter. His late try was brilliantly taken.