Rugby 24 ratings

Here’s how I rated the Boks out of 10:

Willie le Roux: 6.5

Solid, composed outing and largely avoided any “moggy” moments in this Test. Tactical kicking and general decision-making fairly decent, and timely defensive contributions.

Cornal Hendricks: 6

The anonymous little periods he goes through are almost a ruse: when he’s suddenly on or near the ball things just seem to happen. Always a threat in broken play and on the counter. Found Julian Savea a handful when All Blacks pressed, but who doesn’t?  

Jan Serfontein: 8

Has chopped his locks ... but still a Samson in Bok midfield. Like an extra loose forward at many breakdowns, decisive tackling and fine pass off the floor to facilitate first Bok try.

Jean de Villiers: 6

Pretty busy day in his channel, with Malakai Fekitoa always looking to make yardage for NZ, and made plenty of tackles while guilty of a howler or two, as well. Lovely grubber in build-up to first Bok try, and pipped by centimetre by scrambling Conrad Smith to own five-pointer on one occasion.

Bryan Habana: 7

His early poach laid down marker for Bok turnover zeal and polish: SA won this phase 14-8 according to TV stats. Storming run in lead-up to second Bok try and continued to look for graft throughout.

Handre Pollard: 8

Two Tests against the All Blacks, two hugely satisfying showings from a 20-year-old flyhalf. It says so much about Pollard’s international potential for the coming years. Here, he will be remembered for his vital brace of tries, combining flair and awareness with the extra gift of power. Did fluff one or two place- and line-kicks, but right now ... who cares?

Francois Hougaard: 8

How amazingly the scrumhalf has reinvented himself over the last two Saturdays. Lively and enterprising game, including blistering pace and verve to run away for thrilling, opening Bok try from deep. Always up for making tigerish hits, as well.

Duane Vermeulen: 8

It’s not every day that a player entering the game with an injury can manage to (narrowly, mind) outplay Kieran Read: yet he did. Another thunderous, ferociously committed outing – extraordinarily, for a “full 80” -- from arguably the most consistent individual player of the 2014 Rugby Championship.  

Oupa Mohoje: 7

Good to see his blossoming lineout talent put to good use in this Test; two clean takes in quick succession. Won a pair of turnovers in his 50-minute shift, and carried assuredly.

Marcell Coetzee: 7

If you didn’t always see him, it may well have been because he was so deep-rooted in aggressive, effective SA approach to breakdown. Once brought a sniping Fekitoa to a key, jarring halt.  

Victor Matfield: 6

Significantly quieter than his pleasing Newlands game against Aussies. Put pressure on NZ lineout, though Sam Whitelock was bothersome on the veteran Bok’s ball as well. Still a sound, calming influence when heat is on.

Eben Etzebeth: 6

Good fire in belly, as you’d expect on such an occasion. Direct going forward, sometimes vitally alert on defence, though some lapses in that department too. Giddy form of last two years still not quite recaptured ...  

Jannie du Plessis: 5.5

Tackling technique still open to scrutiny; just seems to “snatch” too often at players although he’s trying hard to up work-rate outside scrums. Conceded silly ruck-entry penalty with Boks right on attack.

Bismarck du Plessis: 7

Exactly the sort of hard-nosed player you want asserting himself quickly ... and that’s what he did. Upper-body strength put to vital use. One errant lineout throw in his 53 minutes, but then replacement Adriaan Strauss suffered two.

Tendai Mtawarira: 7

Much more like it from the Beast ... one big, speedy carry that had the crowd purring, solid at scrum-time and worked tirelessly on defence and at breakdowns.

Standout substitute:

Pat Lambie: 7   

Earns the mantle by a whisker from Schalk Burger ... primarily on the grounds of that sweetest, most composed of thumps under intense pressure from 50-plus metres to win the match off the penalty tee.

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Cant read as it is going onto the advertising bar.

Here’s how I rated the Boks out of 10:

Willie le Roux: 6.5

Solid, composed outing and largely avoided any “moggy” moments in this Test. Tactical kicking and general decision-making fairly decent, and timely defensive contributions.

Cornal Hendricks: 6

The anonymous little periods he goes through are almost a ruse: when he’s suddenly on or near the ball things just seem to happen. Always a threat in broken play and on the counter. Found Julian Savea a handful when All Blacks pressed, but who doesn’t?  

Jan Serfontein: 8

Has chopped his locks ... but still a Samson in Bok midfield. Like an extra loose forward at many breakdowns, decisive tackling and fine pass off the floor to facilitate first Bok try.

Jean de Villiers: 6

Pretty busy day in his channel, with Malakai Fekitoa always looking to make yardage for NZ, and made plenty of tackles while guilty of a howler or two, as well. Lovely grubber in build-up to first Bok try, and pipped by centimetre by scrambling Conrad Smith to own five-pointer on one occasion.

Bryan Habana: 7

His early poach laid down marker for Bok turnover zeal and polish: SA won this phase 14-8 according to TV stats. Storming run in lead-up to second Bok try and continued to look for graft throughout.

Handre Pollard: 8

Two Tests against the All Blacks, two hugely satisfying showings from a 20-year-old flyhalf. It says so much about Pollard’s international potential for the coming years. Here, he will be remembered for his vital brace of tries, combining flair and awareness with the extra gift of power. Did fluff one or two place- and line-kicks, but right now ... who cares?

Francois Hougaard: 8

How amazingly the scrumhalf has reinvented himself over the last two Saturdays. Lively and enterprising game, including blistering pace and verve to run away for thrilling, opening Bok try from deep. Always up for making tigerish hits, as well.

Duane Vermeulen: 8

It’s not every day that a player entering the game with an injury can manage to (narrowly, mind) outplay Kieran Read: yet he did. Another thunderous, ferociously committed outing – extraordinarily, for a “full 80” -- from arguably the most consistent individual player of the 2014 Rugby Championship.  

Oupa Mohoje: 7

Good to see his blossoming lineout talent put to good use in this Test; two clean takes in quick succession. Won a pair of turnovers in his 50-minute shift, and carried assuredly.

Marcell Coetzee: 7

If you didn’t always see him, it may well have been because he was so deep-rooted in aggressive, effective SA approach to breakdown. Once brought a sniping Fekitoa to a key, jarring halt.  

Victor Matfield: 6

Significantly quieter than his pleasing Newlands game against Aussies. Put pressure on NZ lineout, though Sam Whitelock was bothersome on the veteran Bok’s ball as well. Still a sound, calming influence when heat is on.

Eben Etzebeth: 6

Good fire in belly, as you’d expect on such an occasion. Direct going forward, sometimes vitally alert on defence, though some lapses in that department too. Giddy form of last two years still not quite recaptured ...  

Jannie du Plessis: 5.5

Tackling technique still open to scrutiny; just seems to “snatch” too often at players although he’s trying hard to up work-rate outside scrums. Conceded silly ruck-entry penalty with Boks right on attack.

Bismarck du Plessis: 7

Exactly the sort of hard-nosed player you want asserting himself quickly ... and that’s what he did. Upper-body strength put to vital use. One errant lineout throw in his 53 minutes, but then replacement Adriaan Strauss suffered two.

Tendai Mtawarira: 7

Much more like it from the Beast ... one big, speedy carry that had the crowd purring, solid at scrum-time and worked tirelessly on defence and at breakdowns.

Standout substitute:

Pat Lambie: 7   

Earns the mantle by a whisker from Schalk Burger ... primarily on the grounds of that sweetest, most composed of thumps under intense pressure from 50-plus metres to win the match off the penalty tee.

Thanks...fairly decent ratings I thought.  I would certainly have rated Pollard higher than Steppie , based on his two tries and brilliant back tackle on Savea. Perhaps an 8.5 along with Vermeulen.

Yes, Pollard was great. Scoring off first phase from only one pass from a 5 metre scrum is exceptional. What makes it even better is that the All Blacks probably knew what he was going to do because the scrum got blown up just after it was passed to pollard and he ran for the try line. It was obviously a pre-planned move. However even though he done the exact same thing in the next scrum, they could not stop him. Even in the junior world cup, when he gets close to the line he is very hard to take down. He is an extremely strong flyhalf, not just his weight and speed, but his upperbody strength to be able to remain on his feet.
Their was so much hype around Goosen, but Pollard has really stepped up to be potentially our best flyhalf of the professional era. Goosen unfortunately does not have the physicality. He is being played at 15 at the moment, where he may well blossom into a good fullback. The modern game requires a more physical flyhalf than the amateur era where the like of Naas Botha and Grant fox excelled. 
Pollard is allmost 100KG and only 20 years old. He is like Henry Honnibal in the way he runs onto the advantage line. Savea was a menace on attack and once of the most concisive tackles on him was by Pollard. He already one of the strongest backs in the bok team. 
Meyer has recently stated that flyhalf has historically been an area where SA lacks depth. The ABS have loads of top quality flyhalfs, it is great to have Pollard as he is on par with them based on current performances. Carter is still the master, but Pollard is looking on level to Cruden and Barrett

Serfontein had a good game as well. His attacking play is showing lots of good signs. I don't think anyone has questioned his defense- both technique and positional play, but he has looked one dimensional at times for the Bulls.
Today he make some great passes, as well as catches. He must be pushing Jean for the starting number 12 position. 
A defense of Serfontein and Jaque Fourie would be amazing. Jean was good last week, but he made another hash of rushing off and leaving a gap in his line which the ABS were able to captitaliz e and score