Rugby | Springboks
Predict the scores and win with Land RoverRWC Fantasy gameWorld Cup stadiums Rating our Bok World Cup squadby Brenden Nel 05 November 2015, 08:37It was Springbok defence coach John McFarland who said third place at the Rugby World Cup was “acceptable”.
Many South African rugby fans may not agree, and expect more from their national side. But now that the World Cup is over, and the review is to be done, we take a longer look at the players, giving them their own report card and analyzing who were the Bok flops and which players starred for the Green and Gold.
All marks are done out of 10, and take into account the player’s contribution both on and off the field in the World Cup context.
PLAYER RATING
Willie le Roux – 4
Perhaps the most disappointing player in the Bok team given his reputation. Le Roux has had a forgetful year and has departed from his normal expansive style. From a player who would dazzle and mesmerize he is now as predictable as can be and was caught out several times out of position from the back during the tournament. The Welsh try in the quarterfinal was just one example, while his tactical kicking simply wasn’t good. A player who was expected to ignite the Boks during the tournament, only served to disappoint.
Zane Kirchner – 5
Solid at the back, Kirchner only played against Japan and the loss wasn’t really his fault in any way. Didn’t get the opportunity to impress further as the shine was immediately taken off by the shock result.
JP Pietersen – 6
A hat-trick against Samoa and almost an intercept against the All Blacks, Pietersen did well for the entire campaign, and certainly held his own. On defence a star who covered all the bases, possibly could have done more if the Bok game plan was better.
Bryan Habana – 7
Equalling Jonah Lomu’s record will always go down as a milestone for the winger and he showed that while he has lost pace, the tryline still is his biggest passion. But as good as he was, the record wasn’t too be as he fluffed several chances once he drew even to deny himself a place in history, and had a bit of a shocker in the Bronze final
Lwazi Mvovo – 5
Hard to fault Mvovo for his effort as he played only one game against Japan. The Bok loss and his background influence meant he was a passenger for most of the rest of the tournament.
Jesse Kriel – 6
Kriel made 10 clean breaks, and equaled Habana in this department but would have received a higher accolade if he had done more with his opportunities and not shirked his defence at times. The final try by Japan to win the game came as a result of him going high, while in the Bronze final he also missed a few too many tackles. A great talent going forward, but perhaps more suited at fullback?
Damian de Allende – 7
As good as De Allende was, and he was very good in the entire tournament, he perhaps suffered from his inability to get the rest of the backline moving. Whether by design or instruction, De Allende was good on attack and defence, but hardly ever passed the ball. Still looking good going forward.
Jean de Villiers - 5
While he was a sensational ambassador off the field, De Villiers was a shadow of his former self on the field and his early departure was harsh but perhaps good as it left the young paring together for the tournament.
Jan Serfontein – 5
Unfairly criticised when he was brought over in place of De Villiers as coach Heyneke Meyer was simply replacing a 12 for a 12, Serfontein never really had enough time to make an impression beyond solid
Pat Lambie – 6
Can hardly be faulted on tour and grabbed his milestone 50th cap in the Bronze final, but never really had enough game time to impose himself properly
Handre Pollard – 7
Good goal-kicking and options during the tournament, but suffered in terms of controlling the game, exits and perhaps at times his tactical kicking. A great prospect for the future who should grow as long as he works on his tactical kicking going forward.
Morne Steyn – 5
Played for 20 minutes in the tournament, hardly a chance to show his worth.
Fourie du Preez – 8
Stepped into the captaincy with ease and led from the front. Crucial try against Wales was good enough to put Boks into semis, but not even the talisman could get them through to the final. Du Preez struggled with a back injury and missed the final game with a cheekbone that was badly bruised and concussion. A great servant of SA Rugby who will be missed.
Ruan Pienaar – 5
Despite a decent first half in the Bronze final, never has really looked comfortable in a Bok jersey. Solid and uncompromising, Pienaar remains an enigma in Bok rugby.
Rudy Paige – 6
Given limited game time, Paige looked slick vs USA and should have had more game time vs Argentina. Can feel proud of his uncompromising and infectious positivity around the side.
Duane Vermeulen 8
Still the heart and soul of the side and certainly excelled during the World Cup. But perhaps a point or two off the pace he wanted to be. Still organised the defence to a tee and hugely influential in the Bok side.
Schalk Burger 9
Burger was like fine wine, maturing with age and while some may have question-marks about his first receiver status, the loose forward simply was everywhere and involved in everything. A stellar performance by the Bok veteran.
Francois Louw 8
One of the unsung heroes of the Boks. Started slowly but quickly found himself in the forefront of the Bok assault. Second most turnovers in the tournament tells a big story.
Willem Alberts 6
Alberts had the Boks on tenterhooks early on in the competition regarding his fitness and while he came back and was good against Wales, perhaps didn’t have the impact we all know he can have.
Siya Kolisi – 5
Only receives the average mark because he didn’t have many opportunities and should have seen a bit more game time.
Pieter-Steph du Toit – 5
Perhaps one of the other disappointments in the team, given the hype about him. To be fair he had limited opportunities but will continue to grow in a Bok jersey.
Eben Etzebeth 8
Another unsung hero for the Boks who was everywhere in the Bronze final and how he didn’t win the man of the match award only World Rugby will know. Exceptional player with unbelievable heart.
Lood de Jager 9
The Bok player of the tournament who comprises everything the Green and Gold should be. Impressive both on and off the field. Player of the campaign for the Springboks.
Victor Matfield - 5
While when Matfield was on the field his workrate wasn't in question, the untimely hamstring injury that robbed him of playing in other games actually worked out well for the Boks as Lood de Jager stepped to the fore. His ignorance of coaching instructions against Japan wasn’t his best moment, and while he remains a Bok great, will probably want to forget the 2015 edition of the Rugby World Cup
Jannie du Plessis 6
Solid on the field and a part of the rock in the scrums, was eventually overshadowed by the younger Frans Malherbe who excelled in the setpiece. Early yellow cards also saw him being dropped from the starting line-up as he struggled with injury.
Frans Malherbe 8
One of the finds of the tournament, Malherbe grew from strength to strength and looked exceptionally good in the scrum, and grew in stature as the tournament continued. A good look towards the future for the Boks.
Coenie Oosthuizen 5
One appearance against Japan and a yellow card to boot, Oosthuizen was never a factor on the field for the Boks.
Tendai Mtawarira 6
A sturdy performance from the man they call beast. Ever solid, never spectacular and he looks tired and overplayed. Should do well from the rest.
Trevor Nyakane 8
Always looked good when he came on the field, strong in the scrum and everywhere in the loose. Should possibly have received more game time and more starts in the campaign.
Adriaan Strauss 8
The form hooker in the tournament for the Boks, looked solid and firey when he came on and sparked the bench. Perhaps should have started?
Bismarck du Plessis 6
Strangely dropped after the Japan game after an ostensible fallout in the post mortem of the game, Du Plessis never came close to the form we know he can be in. Always good, he never quite reached the heights of former tests
Schalk Britz 6
Never had much say on the field, but always smiling off the field and gave some great interviews. As a third hooker did his job in keeping motivated and certainly the joker of the pack.
All in all as individuals few had shockers during the tournament. The problem perhaps was as a unit they failed to fire when they needed to, good in defence but never showed the flair necessary in attack to win the tournament.
