All Blacks vs Boks - Player Ratings

Official SharkBok Ratings: Hot off the Press

Congratulations to the All Blacks on a well-deserved victory. They executed their game plan effectively and controlled much of the match.

The Springboks, on the other hand, appeared rusty, which is understandable considering it was their first test of the year and playing against the All Blacks in New Zealand is always a challenging task.

Several players didn't perform up to the standard required for a starting position, indicating that some of the starters from the previous week were better options.
Those that have played themselves out of a starting position are crossed out. 

Here is an assessment of the individual performances(after watching the match for the 1st time):

15. Willie le Roux - 6.5/10:
Le Roux missed some key tackles, which affected his overall performance.
The flat skip pass to Kolbe to score was excellent. 
If he is injured in or before the world cup, it will be a big loss. I would rather put Adrense or Koble at XV than Willemse.

14. Cheslin Kolbe - 8/10:
Kolbe stood out as the most dangerous attacking player for the Springboks.

13. Lukhanyo Am -6/10:
Am had an "ok" game, probably one of his worst games.

12. Damian de Allende - 4/10:
De Allende's failure to field an up-and-under was disappointing, as was just about everything else he did. It is evident that he is no longer fit to be a starting player.

11. Makazole Mapimpi - 3/10:
 Although the ball rarely reached Mapimpi's wing, he didn't make a significant impact. Ardense, with his all-around skills and contributions, appears to be a better choice. Mapimpi has played himself out of a starting position.

10. Damian Willemse - 6/10:
The backline seemed more effective on the attack when Libbock took over at 10.
Willemse is an excellent rugby player, but he is not a test standard flyhalf in big matches. Therefore, Libbock has earned a starting spot at flyhalf.

9. Faf de Klerk - 6/10:
De Klerk had an average performance and was outplayed by Williams. Although Williams is close to securing the starting position, Faf still remains the first-choice scrum-half- at least for now.
Faff needs time to start alongside Libbock to settle before the world cup. 

8. Jasper Wiese - 4.5.10:
Wiese's work rate was relatively low. Vermeulen, with his all-around skills, is a more suitable starter in this position.

7. Franco Mostert - 4.5/10:
Steph Du Toit has proven to be a superior player, even though Mostert's form was solid at 7 last year.. Mostert no longer deserves a starting position.

6. Kwagga Smith - 6/10:
It's not clear whether Smith performed at his best, as the Bok breakdown was not great in the first half. He did get that amazing try at the end.

5. Lood de Jager - 3/10:
De Jager had a poor game, and it was evident that Synman performed much better when given the opportunity. Therefore, de Jager has played himself out of the starting team.

4. Eben Etzebeth (c) - 5/10:
Etzebeth had a relatively quiet game by his own standards.

3. Frans Malherbe - 4/10:
Malherbe didn't dominate the scrums and wasn't noticeable outside of that aspect of play.

2. Bongi Mbonambi - 4/10:
Mbonambi's poor throwing continues to be a concern. Marx should be the starting hooker, but it's important to have diversity in the front row.

1. Steven Kitshoff - 5/10:
Similar to Malherbe, Kitshoff didn't have a significant impact outside of scrums.

Substitutes:

16. Malcolm Marx - 7.5/10: Marx had a strong performance as usual.

17. Thomas du Toit - Not enough time to be rated.

18. Vincent Koch - Not enough time to be rated.

19. RG Snyman - 7/10: Snyman had a solid performance when he entered the game.

20. Pieter-Steph du Toit - 7.5/10: Du Toit showed his quality with an impressive performance.

21. Duane Vermeulen - 7/10: Vermeulen played well and showcased his abilities.

22. Grant Williams - 8/10: Williams had a notable game, with the only blemish being a mistake where he got isolated and stripped of the ball.

23. Manie Libbok - 7.5/10: The backline noticeably improved when Libbok joined the attack.

Overall, it is clear that some players from the previous week's starting lineup performed better than those in this match. Adjustments to the team composition should be considered based on these performances.

The bullshit with one of the best hookers in rugby's history on the bench must end, onvokkingmiddelik

Marx needs to show some consistency BB. He has, over the last few years been very patchy. His defence isn't always good, his lineout throws are often iffy, he can be good at the breakdown, but not always. I'll go over his performance more when I download the game, but for now, for me, he is not a guaranteed starter. If he were to once more reach his 2016 level of play, this would be a very different story. Sadly, he has been well off that mark ever since. 

most of the time they stood around looking absolutely clueless

At least, there is admission instead of the usual denial shown on this board.

Tradhole, you should look for another game...rugby is not your thing.

My pre-match comments on the match prediction raised questions that were answered. 
E.g. Willemse is not a first choice flyhalf. 

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The 10-12 access will be under the microscope. 

I wonder if Delande will get the whole game at 12, or if Willemse will shift to the inside centre - once/ if Libbok gets on. 

Or if Delande will get a chance to combine with Libbock, and Willemse is substituted.
 
With the rise of Esterhuizen, suddenly Willemse may not be considered at 12. 
He might just be the utility joker card back on the bench

Other positions that Rassie will be looking at:

Lock:
Snyman could overtake Lomp, and Mostert.

Openside flank
Kolisi is certain, assuming he is a match fit. If not, then it is between Kwagga and Marco Van Staden for the starting 6th spot. (Skill vs power). Both get more turnovers than Kolisi. 

Blindside flank:
Steph looks like he is getting back into form.
Mostert is solid at 7, even though most of his experience is at lock- but an inform Steph must be selected.

Eightman:
Jasper Wiese is the incumbent, but. Vermuelen has confirmed that he still has it at test level. Rassie may favour Vermeulen who is a more allround type of player that can adapt to the day- even though he is past his prime. 

Scrumhalf:
Almost certain Faff is the starter, but with the recent form of Grant Williams maybe not. 
Williams needs to make the bench position his own, so he can compete with Faff. 

Wing:
With the form of Arendse, it seems a starting spot needs to be found for him.
I think Arendse can play on both wings. So that could mean Mapimpi is the most under threat. 

Arednse can also fullback, which would make him a better match-day squad member. 
I would prefer Arednse as fullback, than Damien Willemse.

Kitsie was better than 5...6.5 at a minimum...good carries and at least 1 good turnover penalty...

Rugby 365 Ratings:

I often find 365 ratings similar to mine. I looked at a few others that were also published a few hours after the match, but these ones seem most similar to mine. 

15 Willem le Roux

The All Blacks tested him with their high kicks and he was fairly solid under the high ball. His line kicks found touch and his defence was average. He was often found out of place in the back defensive line as the hard-running Kiwis stormed over the tryline, failing to stop Will Jordan in the build-up to the first try while he also got bumped out of the way for Shannon Frizell’s score. His flat pass to Cheslin Kolbe for one of South Africa’s three tries was his moment of brilliance in the game.

6.5/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe

His work rate was very high, popping up all over in defence but with precious little ball to play with, he was made to work hard on defence. His try from a hard straight pass from Willie le Roux was a classic Kolbe try, diving over Mo’unga to make sure he was not tackled. One of the Springbok try-scorers and unlucky to not have two. One of the stars in the losing Springbok side.

7/10

13 Lukhanyo Am

He had a quiet night and his defence was shaky at times. Not the same energy that a player like Andre Esterhuizen brought last week against Australia. His hands let him down and he fumbled a few balls. Overall Am did not have his best performance in a Springbok jersey although he made nine tackles and missed three, but his attacking play was nowhere. He did manage to beat a few defenders with some swift footwork, but overall it was a below-standard performance from Am.

5.5/10

12 Damian de Allende

De Allende made the second-most tackles of all the Springboks but also missed two. The centre impressed when he did get his hands on the ball, drawing in multiple defenders. He made a great tackle and turnover on Rieko Ioane but also had some soft moments, including a silly knock-on from the goal-line drop-out. One of the better performers in the backs but far from his best.

6/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi

Probably one of the quietest Springboks on the field, making only two tackles in the whole game. He looked disorientated, often scrambling to get back into position. He was the shadow of the prolific try-scorer last year and showed when the Bok pack struggles, he is nowhere. He dropped a high ball he would normally gobble up and the pressure is on from the younger wings in the squad.

3/10

10 Damian Willemse

Maybe this game showed that Willemse is not the Springbok answer to flyhalf. He struggled under the high kicks, knocking on several. His kicking game was a bit better with a few finding touch. As the game grew, he seemed to grow in confidence.

5.5/10

9 Francois de Klerk

He has a few very good young No.9’s yapping at his heels and he did not do enough to show he should be the first-choice scrumhalf in the side. Several of his kicks were off the mark and he could not help the Springboks get over the gainline. His missed kick for touch was poor and inexcusable for a player of his status. Maybe it is time to make way for the younger generation.

4.5/10

8 Jasper Wiese

He could not stamp his authority in the rucks and mauls as well as open play. He had a very quiet game and this meant the other forwards were made to work that much harder. He did not do enough to make the No.8 jumper his own.

3/10

7 Franco Mostert

Unfortunately, the hard-working Mostert also had a quiet game and only made eight successful tackles and missed one. He was substituted early in the second half after the Springboks spent most of the first forty defending. Mostert produced his usual high work rate for the Boks but had little success.

5/10

6 Albertus Smith

True to his character he was a real workhorse but overall he was outmuscled by a formidable All Black pack. Although he tried hard to create opportunities, few materialised but he was rewarded in the end when he scored a try through his efforts of never giving up.

6/10

5 Lodewyk de Jager

Also on the quiet side and one of his line-out balls was easily stolen by Brodie Retallick. He was replaced after 43 minutes and the bomb squad of Rudolph Snyman and Pieter-Steph du Toit immediately made a huge impact. His energy was low and he looked like a passenger, making the others around him work even harder.

4/10

4 Eben Etzebeth

The Springbok captain tried to lead by example, and he put in some massive hits with eleven tackles made and only two missed. Without possession, the Boks were made to work hard on the ground, but were mostly overpowered by a slick and well-coached All Black side. The captain can hold his head high that he did more than what was expected of him.

6.5/10

3. Frans Malherbe

His discipline let him down like the Aaron Smith penalty, which came from some lazy running from the Bok tighthead. He also conceded a penalty at scrum time while holding his own against Ethan de Groot. He made a crucial cover tackle on Jordie Barrett clinging onto the All Blacks centre’s jersey to deny the line break.

5/10

2 Mbongeni Mbonambi

Not his best performance in a Springbok jersey and was completely overshadowed by Malcolm Marx when he was replaced early in the second half. He missed three of his seven attempted tackles. Would be lucky to get a starting berth in the next Test.

4/10

1 Steven Kitshoff

One of the best Springboks over the ball throughout his shift. His 60-minute performance included some hefty hits and turnovers while he was unlucky to have an early scrum penalty go against him. He and Tyrel Lomax engaged in a fierce battle in the scrums, with neither dominating.

6/10

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx

The big man replaced a struggling Mbonambi early in the second half and immediately stamped his authority on the game, scoring the Springboks’ first try ten minutes later. Did enough to warrant a starting berth in the next Test.

7/10

17 Thomas du Toit

He joined proceedings after an hour of rugby but could not stamp his authority or make any significant contributions.

5/10

18 Vincent Koch

He had an average performance after he and Du Toit joined the fray at the same time, replacing the hard-working Kitshoff and Malherbe.

5/10

19 Rudolph Snyman

Brought huge energy when he took the field early in the second half. Together with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx the infamous bomb squad made an immediate impression and started to make things more difficult for the All Blacks in the rucks and mauls.

6.5/10

20 Pieter-Steph du Toit

Another member of the ‘Bomb Squad’ who brought huge energy to the pack and started forcing their authority on the set-pieces, while driving back the Kiwis in defence. He should be a starter in the next Test.

6.5/10

21 Duane Vermeulen

He was a tower of strength after replacing the below-par Jasper Wiese in the 45th minute. He continued with the fine form he showcased against Australia last week and might have done enough to lead the Springboks again in their next Test.

6.5/10

22 Grant Williams

He was quick behind the rucks, often catching the All Blacks off guard with his lightning-fast passes and snipes around the rucks. Did enough to warrant a start next time.

6.5/10

23 Immanuel Libbok

He took the field very late in the game, when it was all over and done with. He tried to physically challenge New Zealand one or two times, but was driven back. However, did not stand back and showed real guts.

5/10