Scot v SA: Springbok player ratings
Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:32
South Africa stayed on course to complete their year-end tour unbeaten when they recorded a fortuitous 14-10 win over a determined Scotland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Saturday.
However, the Springboks will have to lift their game considerably as they head to London to face England next week.
Paul Dobson rates the Springbok players.
15 Conrad Jantjes:
He gets through a huge amount of work and does it so bravely and with such skill.
8/10
14 JP Pietersen:
Did well out of the air once - catching a Springbok kick and near the end marking a Scottish kick. His pass helped to make Fourie's try possible.
7/10
13 Adi Jacobs:
He can run, he can pass and he can tackle. He had a vital pass in Fourie's try and a vital tackle on Cairns near the end.
8/10
12 Jean de Villiers:
Two great runs and left the Scottish centres with little attacking possibility.
8/10
11 Bryan Habana:
There is something wrong. He just is not playing. Fourie replaced him early in the second half and showed how a wing can play.
2/10
10 Ruan Pienaar:
Not the dominating force he was against Wales when he had Fourie du Preez inside of him but he did kick those vital kicks.
6/10
9 Ricky Januarie:
His judgement is not the greatest and later he was back to his three-step passing. Trying to bash through Murray is not bright for a man of his stature.
3/10
8 Pierre Spies:
Much, much better though his hands were wonky on occasion.
6/10
7 Juan Smith:
His tackling is devastating and his positional play exceptional.
8/10
6 Schalk Burger:
He was as energetic and committed as ever.
7/10
5 Victor Matfield:
Again won the line-outs that counted most.
7/10
4 Bakkies Botha:
He is strong but not yet dominant.
5/10
3 John Smit:
Back at hooker and looking back at ease. He ran well and threw immaculately.
7/10
2 Bismarck du Plessis:
Off after four minutes. Not long enough to be rated.
1 Beast Mtawarira:
He was good - scrummed well and rumbled well
6/10
Replacements:
16 Brian Mujati:
Played for 75 minutes. His scrumming
is not powerful and he gave away three penalties.
4/10
22 Jaque Fourie:
Showed how a wing should wing should play and scored the match-winning try.
8/10
17 Gürthro Steenkamp was on briefly before limping off again; 18 Andries Bekker was on to have a good run, tackle well and win a line-out; 19 Ryan Kankowski was on without being noticed; 20 Danie Rossouw was on quietly; 21 Frans Steyn had 15 minutes an made a contribution with his determined tackling and booming boot.
* Do you agree with Paul's ratings? Give us your view.
