After steamrolling Georgia with a whopping 55-10 at the Mbombela Stadium, it's time to break down the Springboks' performance player by player. Rassie Erasmus must be grinning from ear to ear, so let's dive into the ratings and see who shone and who might need a bit more polish.
Starting with Aphelele Fassi, who, despite a minor hiccup with a dropped ball, retaliated with a strategic kick, showcasing his resilience and firm stance at full-back. This sparks a fiery battle for the jersey, especially with Damian Willemse snapping at his heels from the bench. Both scored a solid 7.
Wing wizard Edwill van der Merwe continued his try-scoring spree, bagging another five-pointer with a nifty chip from De Klerk, proving he's a swine in the vineyards of Springbok rugby. His score? A well-deserved 7.
Canan Moodie, the center of attention, was a force of nature, contributing significantly with a score of 8. His partner in the midfield, Damian de Allende, bulldozed through the Georgian defense, earning a 7 for his efforts as an unofficial extra loose forward.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, although seeing less of the ball, made crucial plays, including a try-saving tackle, and linked up beautifully for a score, taking home a 7. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, battling a hip niggle, had a rocky start but found his rhythm, ending with a 5.
Scrum-half Grant Williams had a mixed bag of early errors and brilliant plays, notably setting up a stunning try after a clean break, which pegged him at an 8.
Turning to the forwards, Cobus Wiese filled his brother's boots admirably, securing a 7, while Pieter-Steph du Toit continued his high-caliber performances with an 8. Siya Kolisi, despite an early scare, returned to contribute solidly, earning a 6.
"His work-rate was off the charts,"
said of Ruan Nortje, who also scored an 8. Debutant Marnus van der Merwe couldn't have asked for a better start, nailing his lineouts and scoring twice to also earn an 8.
Boan Venter, another debutant, proved his worth both in the scrums and around the park, grabbing a 7. Meanwhile, the replacements, aka the Bomb Squad, vastly improved from previous weeks, with standouts like Faf de Klerk and RG Snyman ensuring the bench maintained the onslaught to secure the victory.
Overall, it was a performance that blended seasoned prowess with promising new blood, a recipe that Erasmus surely savors as his team bulldozed their way to a resounding victory.