Attack
The Boks started with strong intent, aiming to play wide and utilise the backline.
While the kick pass proved highly effective, the Boks' backs still lack the fluidity to create clean breaks before moving wide. Passing errors remain too frequent, and the backline moves aren’t generating enough clean breaks through the middle.
Defence:
The scramble defence was good, but the number of clean breaks by Scotland was concerning. Some of these were the result of poor tackles by the Boks -but other times it was clear Scotland backs had a good idea how to beat the first line of defence. The one-of-one tackles were poor, but Scotland's backs are very strong and breaking tackles.
Lineouts & Scrums
The scrums were generally average, getting better late in the game.Lineouts were shaky in the first half but showed "some" improvement in the second.
The Bok lineout has not been good since before the World Cup.
Rucks:
The rucks were somewhat clumsy, improving a bit when Marx took to the pitch.
Pick and Go by the forwards
Looked effective when the players ran onto the ball, Looked a bit too individualistic.
The base of the ruck was a bit messy which contributed negatively.
Scotland performed well in the second and third quarters, putting the Boks under significant pressure.
The Bomb Squad made a limited impact until the Scots fatigued in the final 15 minutes of the game.
The positives were that the Boks starting team fielded many players who were arguably 2nd choice or even 3rd choice players. The negatives are that some of these 2nd choice players will not make the next World Cup- so why persist with them?
- Ox Nche - 7/10 - I prefer him off the bench to destroy the opposition scrum.
- Bongi Mbonambi - 5.5/10. His lineout throws are not good enough. We need to move on from Bongi.
- Thomas du Toit -6/10. Good try, but the scrum was not dominant.
- Eben Etzebeth - 7/10. A workman-like performance, with the handbag stuff his pivotal moment.
- Franco Mostert - 6/10. An average JOE Performance
- Marco van Staden - 5.5/10. He was ok, but not much of a breakdown operator
- Elrigh Louw - 7/10. He is growing with game time, but not setting the world alight,
- Kwagga Smith - 3/10. He is not a starter, he has proven this over and over.
- Jaden Hendrikse - 4.5. He went through the motions but looked a bit clumsy at the base of the ruck.
- Handré Pollard - 8/10. His best performance since the World Cup. Looked to get his backline running, and mixed things up
- Makazole Mapimpi - 8/10. 2 Tries. A good opportunist.
- André Esterhuizen - 7/10. I thought the backline was running reasonably well in the first quarter, and appears to create more space than with Delande.
- Lukhanyo Am - 5.5/10. Still looks off his game. Did nothing to remove Kriel.
- Canan Moodie - 7/10. Not much opportunity, but looked solid
- Willie le Roux - 8/10 Still an excellent player. A good bench option for when the game opens up at the end, but doubt he can make it to the next World Cup
Replacements:
- Malcolm Marx - 7/10. Still not back to his best
- Gerhard Steenekamp - 7/10. Scrum got better as the game went on.
- Vincent Koch - As above
- RG Snyman - 8/10. The best offloader in the game.
- Siya Kolisi - 6.0/10 - Ok.
- Pieter-Steph du Toit - 7/10. Never has a bad game, but a bit less involved than usual.
- Jasper Wiese - 7/10. He should have started.
- Grant Williams - 7/5/10- The base of the ruck was cleared quicker once he was on the pitch.