PLAYER RATINGS: Big flops

OPINION: As a money-making exercise, it was a flop. As a training-match exercise, it was a flop. And the result was an even bigger flop for South Africa.

The quality of the Springboks’ game was dire and very predictable.

It was not a big surprise they lost, 20-22, even though the margin flatters them.

Jeremy Papier rates the South African players!

15 Curwin Bosch
Not many opportunities for Bosch, as he never really had ball in hand and when he did he was forced to kick.
4/10

14 Travis Ismaiel
Solid performance, but made a couple of errors later in the game. Scored a crucial intercept try after applying good pressure on defence.
5/10

13 Jesse Kriel
One of the better performers in the game. Looked dangerous with ball in hand and defended equally well.
6/10

12 Andre Esterhuizen
By far the best performer on the day for the Boks. Had a couple of strong carries over the advantage line and defensively rock solid.
6/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
Good workrate on and off the ball. Finished off a well-deserved try in the 58th minute.
5/10

10 Elton Jantjies
Average performance by the pivot. Did not take control of the match.
5/10

9 Ivan van Zyl
Solid debut for the young man. Made a couple of errors, but he is definitely a prospect for the future.
5/10

8 Dan du Preez
Defensively solid, but made very few carries. Crucial error from the restart after being safe under the high ball throughout the game. Good line-out option.
5/10

7 Teboho Mohojé
Started off slowly but as the game went on he picked up his work rate on defence and made a couple of strong carries.
5/10

6 Albertus Smith
Rather quiet performance by the livewire flank. Perhaps the game plan and style of play did not suit him but he kept on trying till the end.
4/10

5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain)
Very busy performance by the new Springbok captain. Tried very hard to lead from the front, it’s sad to see that his example was not followed. Line-outs solid.
5/10

4 Jason Jenkins
A couple of big hits up front, but as the game went on his presence started to fade away. Perhaps the effect of slipping a crucial tackle. Line-outs solid.
5/10

3 Wilco Louw
Defensively solid. Had very few opportunities to carry but proved rock solid at scrummaging.
5/10

2 Chiliboy Ralepelle
Did the basics very well and made few errors. Solid line-out throws
5/10

1 Retshegofaditswe Nche
Good scrummaging, but had few opportunities to carry the ball. Found wanting a couple of times in the kick chase defence.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Armand van der Merwe
On for Ralepelle 52nd minute and looked very busy.
5/10

17 Steven Kitshoff
On for Nche 48th minute and added to the performance with good scrumming and solid defence.
5/10

18 Thomas du Toit
On for Louw 48th minute and really impressed with his work rate. Good scrumming
6/10

19 Marvin Orie
On for Jenkins 66th minute, not enough time to be rated

20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe
On for du Preez 54th minute and showed good workrate.
5/10

21 Embrose Papier
On for Mapimpi 77th minute, not enough time to be rated

22 Robert du Preez
On for Jantjies 72nd minute, not enough time to be rated.

23 Warrick Gelant
On for Bosch 40th min and showed good work rate. Looked for work and slotted in to 1st receiver at times very nicely.
5/10

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