Player ratings from Rugby 365

 15 Willie le Roux

A shaky start but came into his own once he evaded the big Alesana Tuilagi and put Bryan Habana in for the opening try. His distribution at first receiver and out wide brought an extra dimension to the Springbok attack.  
7.5/10

14 Bryan Habana
His workrate and kick-chase was impeccable. Bjorn Basson is more renowned for his ability in the air but it was Habana who created a try through his contesting of a high ball. A bit of ‘tunnel vision’ it must be said in his pursuit of his milestone 50th Test try.   
8/10

13 JJ Engelbrecht
Showed great acceleration off the mark as well as pace and good footwork to break the tackle and step James So'oialo for his try. Also strong on defence, his hit on opposite number Paul Williams inside the Springbok 22 an individual highlight.
7.5/10

12 Jean de Villiers (captain)
A courageous performance by the Springbok skipper given the concerns over his fitness. Ironically, his bruised sterno-clavicular joint was a blessing in disguise as it saw him distribute more and cut down on his route one crash balls.
7.5/10

11 Bjorn Basson
Like Habana, his kick-chase work was good, his defence - a previous weakness of his game - was sound and he crossed the whitewash.
7/10

10 Morné Steyn
Seems inspired by Le Roux’s inclusion in the side as he got the backline firing as he has done in the two previous Tests. Also showed marked improvement on defence, making a try-saving tackle, and scored a try. His goal-kicking was average but it was a non-issue in the context of the game.
7/10

9 Ruan Pienaar
An all-round improvement on last weekend. His best contributions were on defence, where he slipped a few but made two try-saving tackles. He was quicker to the breakdown and his box kicking was more accurate. Could still offer more on attack.
6.5/10

8 Pierre Spies
An awful mistake at the back of the defensive five-metre scrum that almost resulted in a try and failed to get over the advantage line. A cringe worthy performance.    
4/10

7 Willem Alberts
What a difference he made not only to the loose trio but the team as a whole. His uncanny ability to crash over the gainline is invaluable and a big reason behind the backline’s enterprising play. Similarly, his bone crunching hits and unrivalled workrate (15 tackles) on defence inspired his teammates.
8/10

6 Francois Louw
As impressive a return as you get. He was simply sublime in all aspects; scoring a brace, breaking the line, beating defenders, offloading, contesting the breakdown and defending well.   
8.5/10

5 Flip van der Merwe
Stepped up to the line-out managing role successfully and added grunt to the second row. Overall, however, he blew hot and cold. Summed up play well to spread the ball leading up to Basson’s try but did not do the same when he spilled the ball after taking contact with numbers on his outside. Missed three tackles and conceded three penalties.   
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
A year ago he would have been coaxed into conceding a yellow card. He has grown immensely at Test level and showed that maturity against a team with ulterior motives (please note Poly!!). Solid on defence and in the set-pieces and offered great support play to drive Louw over for his second try.
7/10

3 Jannie du Plessis
The veteran warhorse maintained a high workrate, making seven tackles in addition to his strong scrummaging.  
7.5/10

2 Adriaan Strauss
A solid showing driven by commitment. Exemplary set-piece play (the Boks wining all 18 of their line-outs). Unfortunate victim of a despicable act of foul play (Please note Poly)
7/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira
A satisfactory display by “The Beast”. Mobile across the park and good in the set pieces.  
7/10

Replacements:

16 Bismarck du Plessis (on for Strauss, 59th minute)
Continued the Springboks’ set-piece dominance and played an important leadership role.
6.5/10

17 Trevor Nyakane (on for Du Plessis, 66th minute)
Grabbed a maiden Test try that he celebrated in style but not enough time to be rated.

18 Coenie Oosthuizen (on for Mtawarira, 56th minute)
Another player - like Etzebeth - who has come a long way in terms of composure and put in some hard hits.
7/10

19 Juandré Kruger (on for Koliski, 47th minute; on for Van der Merwe, 71st minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Siya Kolisi (on for Spies, 40th minute)
Made a significant impact with his speed and intensity.  
7/10

21 Piet van Zyl (on for Pienaar, 66th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Pat Lambie (on for Steyn, 64th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

23 Jan Serfontein (on for De Villiers, 71st minute)
Not enough time to be rated.

 I did not see much of Kolisi when he was on the field, at least in terms of carries like last week.

Mike are you serious? 

Swallow your pride and realise you were wrong! Alberts and Kolisi had good games, your Biased opinion is getting bloody boring, can't you just take some joy for this victory you utter drain of life! It's like you need to feed your inflated ego by mentioning these stats that may show a poor performance from your hated players, but in reality don't take a lot of things into context. 

 Mike stop speaking shit, Alberts was good and Kolisi was even better. 

 I saw Kolisi put in many tackles, I saw him break tackles, the kid is a class act

 Sport24 ratings

Here’s how I rated the Bok starting XV:

15 Willie le Roux: 7.5

Made a notably shaky start, no doubt to the consternation of his swelling fan club, with an elementary ball-spill and then forward pass ... but only got better and better thereafter. A key, space-creating architect of several Bok tries and attacking moves, he has a happy habit of ghosting in from seemingly nowhere to spark things.

14 Bryan Habana: 7

It’s tough having to mark powerhouse Alesana Tuilagi, but then Habana has never lacked anything in bravery and this was another whole-hearted performance by the veteran who chased, scurried and scrambled and was duly rewarded with two tries – including his 50th for the Boks. Pity about that little professional foul and attached “yellow”, which loses him half a point.

13 JJ Engelbrecht: 7.5

Regressed a little at Mbombela after his bright start to the Test season against Italy, but here the lanky Bulls midfield dynamo restored standards in a big way. Showed fine pace and power for his first-half try, and is making a strong case for retention in the Castle Rugby Championship.

12 Jean de Villiers: 7

Just keeps on “pitching up”, doesn’t he? Captain Courageous for 70 minutes, until his deserved invitation to rest, not too long after surviving with a smile a red-card “chiropractor” tackle from Tuilagi. Typically stout defensively, but also reminded of his old link-play abilities.

11 Bjorn Basson: 6.5

Competently handled everything that came his way, even if Habana’s side of the field tended to be busier in offensive play. Good round-off job for a try in the last minute before half-time.

10 Morne Steyn: 7

After bumbling his way through the Scotland game, played with so much more zest and all-roundedness at his most beloved ground. Crisp distribution in some exhilarating backline plays, and also made one very alert, potentially try-saving tackle. Probably wished to have fared a little better off the tee.

9 Ruan Pienaar: 6.5

With that languid body language of his, sometimes can give the impression he’s half asleep, and did fumble once. But served evidence of his strong kicking game, and coolly set up Habana’s second dot-down. Sound enough 67 minutes, until Piet van Zyl got some game-time.

8 Pierre Spies: 5.5

Subbed at the break - whether he had an injury was not immediately clear - but had again failed to deliver a suitably busy display anyway. Easily the least visible loosie, and knocked on once at the back of a scrum. Did claim some clean lineout grabs.

7 Willem Alberts: 8

I had recently dared to suggest the “Bone Collector” might not be a convincing 80-minute Test player: this was an immense retort. A huge success at both blindside flank and then No 8 in second half. Thumping tackles to give Samoans taste of own medicine, some turnovers, and fierce ball-carries.

6 Francois Louw: 8

Just seems born to play Test rugby, even if he made a slightly late start. Played as if he owed the team something after being given last week off for nuptial purposes. Prominent as ever in breakdown area, but supplemented that with burgeoning charges – two tries fitting reward for constant energy.

5 Flip van der Merwe: 7

Unquestionably gave Boks more tight-five grunt, so essential against these foes. Adapted well to middle-of-lineout chore, got stuck into collisions, and spun out deft pass to initiate move leading to Basson’s try.

4 Eben Etzebeth: 7.5

Another hugely pleasing, never-flagging effort by this only 21-year-old “veteran”. Makes plenty of tackles, not all of them especially visible, always up for the physical stuff and confident lineout presence. Kept his temper in check on a tetchy afternoon, too.

3 Jannie du Plessis: 7

Much more active in general play, with regular tackles and cleanouts. Also did his bit at tighthead in ensuring quick scrum go-forward for Boks.

2 Adriaan Strauss: 7

Some unusual imprecision last time out, but here the hooker was back to professional, methodical best. Pinpoint lineout accuracy, solid tight-loose contribution... and almost deserves a sympathy point for surviving that objectionable squeeze he got where the sun don’t shine.

1 Tendai Mtawarira: 7

See Jannie du Plessis, really!

*Regarding the substitutes, Siya Kolisi was given the whole of the second half (although he did have to go off for a concussion check) and scores a solid enough six; he was not as prominent as in last week’s rousing Nelspruit debut. Most others weren’t on long enough to be rated in an all-embracing way.

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing 

 Best ratings once again.