How the Boks rated

Damian de Allende Photo: Nic Bothma

Damian de Allende Photo: Nic Bothma

Published Aug 29, 2016

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The Boks produced an all-round shocking display against Argentina in Salta, writes Wynona Louw.

 

 

 

 

Johan Goosen 4/10: He sometimes looked good when he joined the line as he found space. Made some crucial tackles. But his handling was dicey at times and we saw a little too much of that ‘let me kick and hope for the best’ kicking.

Ruan Combrinck 6/10: His monster kicks to touch relieved great pressure and he was solid on defence. Good under the high ball. Didn’t have any real chances with the ball. Left the field in the 33rd minute with a serious leg injury.

Lionel Mapoe 4/10: Messed up one of the few good things Elton Jantjies did (after he put the Boks into Argentina 22 with a superb touchfinder) when he got penalised for not rolling away after a Pumas line-out. Looked a bit more comfortable in the Bok jersey but saw very little ball and didn’t do much on defence, except for his try-saving tackle. Why the grubber in the Argentina 22?

Damian de Allende 3/10: How could he lose the ball like that with the tryline screaming at him? Conceded a breakdown penalty in the second quarter. Again took contact when passing was the better option.

Bryan Habana 5.5/10: Very quiet in the first 40. Came across from the opposite wing to ground the ball after the hosts looked sure to score again just before half-time. Showed glimpses of his former self on attack in the second half. Good under the high ball. Superb effort to try and stop Juan Manuel Leguizamon’s try. But missed a tackle that led to the first try.

Elton Jantjies 3/10: Poor tactical and goal kicking. His decision-making was questionable.

Faf de Klerk 4.5/10: Some good moments were erased by some poor decision-making and sloppy play. A lot of his kicks went way too deep. Looked better in the second stanza.

Warren Whiteley 5/10: Conceded a few penalties. One nice run. Made a few good tackles.

Oupa Mohoje 4/10: He went from rucking and tackling last week like it was going out of fashion to grabbing opponents around the neck and conceding a ruck penalty for side entry in Salta.

Francois Louw 4/10: Too slow to the breakdowns. Looked better in the second half, but he still hasn't justified his inclusion. Granted, that was a beautiful offload in Habana’s try.

Lood de Jager 6/10: Looked good at the line-outs initially, but his work at the set-piece gradually became less effective.

Eben Etzebeth 6/10: Was good defensively and saved a certain try when he pushed the Pumas into touch just short of the try-line. Did well to get the pass away to Louw before Habana’s try.

Vincent Koch 3/10: Decent scrummaging, but he made too many defensive errors including when he came off his line which led to Joaquin Tuculet’s try.

Adriaan Strauss 2/10: Captain of what exactly? Most of the times it seemed he was just loitering around the breakdowns. Worked a bit more in the second half. Gave a hospital pass to Etzebeth.

Tendai Mwatwarire 2/10: Missed tackles, collapsed a scrum and wasn’t great in open play.

Steven Kitshoff 6/10: Made a real impact at scrum time and he was good on defence, but missed an important tackle.

Lourens Adriaanse 4/10: Helped stabilise the scrums but wasn’t great otherwise.

Pieter-Steph du Toit 6.5/10: Massive on defence and showed great power to spin out of a tackle and force his way over for the try.

Jaco Kriel 7/10: Won a much-needed turnover to get the Boks out of boiling water in the third quarter. He should be starting.

Morne Steyn 4/10:‘Mr Reliable’ missed his first penalty kick when he came on. Also missed a conversion and a drop goal attempt. His decision-making also left much to be desired. Not so reliable after all.

Jesse Kriel 5/10: Was very involved when he came on. Hot and cold on defence but looked good with ball in hand. Didn’t get many chances.

Cape Argus

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