Player Ratings: Kolbe and Marx the only stand-outs in Bok loss
OPINION: Against an utterly sublime All Black team, the Springboks struggled to stamp their authority with a host of poor performances in the 20-35 loss in Auckland on Saturday.
Cheslin Koble was a constant attacking threat, one of the very few in the Springbok team, while the big Malcolm Marx immediately brought the energy and drive the Boks needed to get over the advantage line.
Both scored tries for South Africa and can hold their heads high in an otherwise struggling side.
See the player ratings below:
15 Willem le Roux
The All Blacks tested him with their high kicks and he was fairly solid under the high ball. His line kicks found touch and his defence was average. He was often found out of place in the back defensive line as the hard-running Kiwis stormed over the tryline, failing to stop Will Jordan in the build-up to the first try while he also got bumped out of the way for Shannon Frizell’s score. His flat pass to Cheslin Kolbe for one of South Africa’s three tries was his moment of brilliance in the game.
6.5/10
14 Cheslin Kolbe
His work rate was very high, popping up all over in defence but with precious little ball to play with, he was made to work hard on defence. His try from a hard straight pass from Willie le Roux was a classic Kolbe try, diving over Mo’unga to make sure he was not tackled. One of the Springbok try-scorers and unlucky to not have two. One of the stars in the losing Springbok side.
7/10
13 Lukhanyo Am
He had a quiet night and his defence was shaky at times. Not the same energy that a player like Andre Esterhuizen brought last week against Australia. His hands let him down and he fumbled a few balls. Overall Am did not have his best performance in a Springbok jersey although he made nine tackles and missed three, but his attacking play was nowhere. He did manage to beat a few defenders with some swift footwork, but overall it was a below-standard performance from Am.
5.5/10
12 Damian de Allende
De Allende made the second-most tackles of all the Springboks but also missed two. The centre impressed when he did get his hands on the ball, drawing in multiple defenders. He made a great tackle and turnover on Rieko Ioane but also had some soft moments, including a silly knock-on from the goal-line drop-out. One of the better performers in the backs but far from his best.
6/10
11 Makazole Mapimpi
Probably one of the quietest Springboks on the field, making only two tackles in the whole game. He looked disorientated, often scrambling to get back into position. He was the shadow of the prolific try-scorer last year and showed when the Bok pack struggles, he is nowhere. He dropped a high ball he would normally gobble up and the pressure is on from the younger wings in the squad.
3/10
10 Damian Willemse
Maybe this game showed that Willemse is not the Springbok answer to flyhalf. He struggled under the high kicks, knocking on several. His kicking game was a bit better with a few finding touch. As the game grew, he seemed to grow in confidence.
5.5/10
9 Francois de Klerk
He has a few very good young No.9's yapping at his heels and he did not do enough to show he should be the first-choice scrumhalf in the side. Several of his kicks were off the mark and he could not help the Springboks get over the gainline. His missed kick for touch was poor and inexcusable for a player of his status. Maybe it is time to make way for the younger generation.
4.5/10
8 Jasper Wiese
He could not stamp his authority in the rucks and mauls as well as open play. He had a very quiet game and this meant the other forwards were made to work that much harder. He did not do enough to make the No.8 jumper his own.
3/10
7 Franco Mostert
Unfortunately, the hard-working Mostert also had a quiet game and only made eight successful tackles and missed one. He was substituted early in the second half after the Springboks spent most of the first forty defending. Mostert produced his usual high work rate for the Boks but had little success.
5/10
6 Albertus Smith
True to his character he was a real workhorse but overall he was outmuscled by a formidable All Black pack. Although he tried hard to create opportunities, few materialised but he was rewarded in the end when he scored a try through his efforts of never giving up.
6/10
5 Lodewyk de Jager
Also on the quiet side and one of his line-out balls were easily stolen by Brodie Retallick. He was replaced after 43 minutes and the bomb squad of Rudolph Snyman and Pieter-Steph du Toit immediately made a huge impact. His energy was low and he looked like a passenger, making the others around him work even harder.
4/10
4 Eben Etzebeth
The Springbok captain tried to lead by example, and he put in some massive hits with eleven tackles made and only two missed. Without possession the Boks were made to work hard on the ground, but were mostly overpowered by a slick and well-coached All Black side. The captain can hold his head high that he did more than what was expected of him.
6.5/10
3. Frans Malherbe
His discipline let him down like the Aaron Smith penalty, which came from some lazy running from the Bok tighthead. He also conceded a penalty at scrum time while holding his own against Ethan de Groot. He made a crucial cover tackle on Jordie Barrett clinging onto the All Blacks centre’s jersey to deny the line break.
5/10
2 Mbongeni Mbonambi
Not his best performance in a Springbok jersey and was completely overshadowed by Malcolm Marx when he was replaced early in the second half. He missed three of his seven attempted tackles. Would be lucky to get a starting berth in the next Test.
4/10
1 Steven Kitshoff
One of the best Springboks over the ball throughout his shift. His 60-minute performance included some hefty hits and turnovers while he was unlucky to have an early scrum penalty go against him. He and Tyrel Lomax engaged in a fierce battle in the scrums, with neither dominating.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx
The big man replaced a struggling Mbonambi early in the second half and immediately stamped his authority on the game, scoring the Springboks’ first try ten minutes later. Did enough to warrant a starting berth in the next Test.
7/10
17 Thomas du Toit
He joined proceedings after an hour of rugby but could not stamp his authority or make any significant contributions.
5/10
18 Vincent Koch
He had an average performance after he and Du Toit joined the fray at the same time, replacing the hard-working Kitshoff and Malherbe.
5/10
19 Rudolph Snyman
Brought huge energy when he took the field early in the second half. Together with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx the infamous bomb squad made an immediate impression and started to make things more difficult for the All Blacks in the rucks and mauls.
6.5/10
20 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Another member of the 'Bomb Squad' who brought huge energy to the pack and started forcing their authority on the set-pieces, while driving back the Kiwis in defence. He should be a starter in the next Test.
6.5/10
21 Duane Vermeulen
He was a tower of strength after replacing the below-par Jasper Wiese in the 45th minute. He continued with the fine form he showcased against Australia last week and might have done enough to lead the Springboks again in their next Test.
6.5/10
22 Grant Williams
He was quick behind the rucks, often catching the All Blacks off guard with his lightning-fast passes and snipes around the rucks. Did enough to warrant a start next time.
6.5/10
23 Immanuel Libbok
He took the field very late in the game, when it was all over and done with. He tried to physically challenge New Zealand one or two times, but was driven back. However, did not stand back and showed real guts.
5/10