Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw rates the Springboks after their 37-14 win over France at Loftus.
Andries Coetzee 8.5/10:
What a game by the Lions fullback! He made some great tackles, and his decision-making at the back was superb. His run, step, quick reaction off the ground and top offload to Malcom Marx set up the Boks’ first try in fantastic style. And what a run and pass was that to Jan Serforntein to put him away? Grubber gained great ground for the Boks early on. One slightly overcooked kick.
Raymond Rhule 6/10:
Great offload and interplay with Marx in the first quarter. After Saturday I guess we can’t say he can’t tackle anymore. His aerial contesting was also good. But what was that grubber-attempt in the first quarter – the one he kicked straight into French hands to ruin a promising Springbok attack?
Jesse Kriel 6.5/10:
He should have passed the ball more instead of taking contact (it wasn’t like his outside men weren’t sometimes in a better position than him), and when he did decide to pass to his wing he did so when Rhule was smothered by five defenders two inches from touch. But he made some nice runs (the ones that were straight and not diagonal) and he did his part on defence.
Jan Serfontein 5.5/10:
Threw a pass in behind Rhule early in the second half. Scored a run-in try, but he was invisible for just too long in the first half. Looked a bit better in the second.
Courtnall Skosan 5.5/10:
Did well on defence and looked for work, but he didn’t get enough ball. Threw an excellent pass to Warren Whiteley.
Elton Jantjies 8/10:
What a game he had. He produced a few great attacking kicks that just didn’t go to hand. His goal-kicking was excellent, his decision-making was great, he put in few great passes and he managed the game well. He dropped a ball and kicked the ball into touch on the full, but it didn’t really matter. The only thing the Jantjies-haters can hate on now is probably that hairstyle.
Ross Cronje 8/10:
He showed that he can be more than just a “calm and collected” scrummy as he was quick to the breakdowns and his service was speedy. Made a few good runs. Forward pass to Skosan in the second quarter. Nice run to score his try.
Warren Whiteley 7.5/10:
It could have been quite something had he gotten hold of the ball after Jantjies’ cross-kick. Fantastic pass to Cronje after a lineout to put him away for his debut try. A good start to his captaincy.
Oupa Mohoje 6/10:
Lost the ball forward when he picked it up and aimed to go through the middle. Made a lot of tackles, but his impact in broken play wasn’t great.
Siya Kolisi 7/10:
He made a few great runs and looked exciting with ball in hand whenever he carried. Made a crucial turnover and made his tackles.
Franco Mostert 7/10:
He collapsed a maul early on, but he had a good game. When he did carry, he did so well, and he made a few great tackles.
Eben Etzebeth 7.5/10:
A great game by the Bok lock. He didn’t carry as much as I’d have liked, but he put in a great performance on defence and he snatched two lineouts.
Frans Malherbe 4/10:
I didn’t understand why he was included in the matchday squad given his mediocre form of late with the Stormers, never mind making the starting line-up. Apart from making a few tackles, he didn’t do much on the field.
Malcolm Marx 8.5/10:
I sincerely want to thank Malcolm for allowing me to give a Springbok hooker such a high rating, because we all know I couldn’t do that last year. He competed at the breakdowns, he made his tackles and his ball-carries were just superb. His powerful fend was almost as entertaining as his running and his offloading game.
Tendai Mtawarira 4/10:
He made a few good tackles but the scrummaging wasn’t great. And as far as his carries go, well, his impact in open play was about as weak as the printing on France’s jerseys.