Following their compelling 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town, seven Springboks have cemented their places in the Sanzaar Team of the Week. This selection comes after a weekend of intense southern hemisphere rivalry, also featuring the Wallabies' win against Los Pumas.
The dominant performance by the Boks was highlighted by the inclusion of standout players such as Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, among others. Each player showcased skill and tenacity, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Malcolm Marx, entering as a substitute, profoundly impacted the game. His teammate Thomas du Toit demonstrated fierce resilience in the scrums, particularly after Ox Nché's notable entrance as a 36th-minute replacement.
"This game was a testament to our depth and resilience," said Marx. "Every player stood tall when it counted."
Eben Etzebeth’s performance was nothing short of colossal, with the lock making 20 tackles and carrying the ball impressively during his game time. Meanwhile, Pieter-Steph du Toit, celebrating his 100th Test cap, added 18 tackles and took on the captaincy role with gusto after Siya Kolisi, who also received commendation.
Ethan Hooker and Cheslin Kolbe, the two wingers, also made significant contributions. Hooker dominated aerially against New Zealand's Will Jordan, while Kolbe, having clinched two World Cup titles, maintained a flawless kicking record and vexed the All Blacks with his high work rate.
The RugbyPass Sanzaar Team of the Week thus shapes up as follows: 1. Ox Nché (South Africa), 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 3. Thomas du Toit (South Africa), 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 5. Jeremy Williams (Australia), 6. Tom Hooper (Australia), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 8. Rob Valetini (Australia), 9. Cam Roigard (New Zealand), 10. Santiago Carreras (Argentina), 11. Ethan Hooker (South Africa), 12. Hunter Paisami (Australia), 13. Quinn Tupaea (New Zealand), 14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa), 15. Gerónimo Prisciantelli (Argentina).
Reflecting on the team’s performance and his individual achievements, Pieter-Steph du Toit expressed pride and determination to keep striving for excellence.
"Wearing the Springbok jersey for the 100th time was an honor, and being able to lead the team was incredibly special," said Du Toit.
With such remarkable talents and tenacity displayed by the Springboks, it's clear that their position as the number one ranked team is well justified. Both the players and their fans can look forward to more thrilling performances in the upcoming matches of this fierce rugby rivalry.
