news-engine

Springboks player ratings: Malcolm Marx ‘masterclass’ at the centre of All Blacks ‘obliteration’ as Rassie makes smart Bomb Squad decisions Following the Springboks 29-24 victory over the All Blacks in Test Three of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, here’s how we rated Rassie Erasmus’ men at the FNB Stadium. Springboks player ratings 15 Cheslin Kolbe: Started the game particularly well with a great clearance from his first touch of the ball and flexed his pace to outsprint Will Jordan and kill off a threatening attack. However, he didn’t make it past the 10-mark as he was forced off through injury and replaced by Manie Libbok. 7 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Spent the match chasing high bombs and did so with great effect. Still, he grabbed another try after making the initial break in the build-up himself and ended a threatening All Blacks‘ attack with a wonderful tackle. Like his fellow winger, he was everywhere. 8 13 Jesse Kriel: Shut down several attacks by shooting up in the first half but spoiled a decent attacking opportunity in the 34th minute. He would not waste a second chance as he rounded Leroy Carter to score a pivotal try. Another top shift from the centre. 7 12 Damian de Allende: Ditto. The powerhouse centre bending and denting the All Blacks’ defence time and time again while also showing his softer skills, rounding Carter in the first half before assisting Arendse. 7 11 Ethan Hooker: After recovering from a slow start to the game, Hooker had a blinder as he relentlessly charged up and down the pitch, which made one wonder whether he was the only player not suffering from the altitude. Sure, there were errors and mistakes, but his insane workload meant that was always going to happen. He was great in the air, a threat at the breakdown and a menace with the ball in hand. 8 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Grew into the game as it progressed and was arguably lucky he even had the opportunity too after an error- and penalty-ridden first half. Still, he was a threat with ball-in-hand and his kicking from hand was spot on in tandem with Libbok to help see the Boks to victory. 6 9 Cobus Reinach: Some lively moments in defence during his 43-minute cameo. The scrum-half’s service was decent and so was his kicking, particularly considering the conditions. Cam Roigard milked the penalty after the penalty try, but Reinach needs to cop some blame for his actions too. 5 The forwards 8 Jasper Wiese: Hammered into New Zealand’s defence time and time again, making a cracking break in the 36th minute when he linked up with Ox Nche. He regularly gained metres with his carries and was a threat at the breakdown too. 7 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: Massive in the carry, busy in defence and made great decisions with the ball in hand. A key cog in a lineout that operated wonderfully too. 7 6 Siya Kolisi: The top tackler during his time on the pitch but will be miffed that one of the ones he did miss was on Ardie Savea, as he should have stayed on the short side and not wrapped. Effective ruck work when the Boks did have possession and had a few nice carries. 6 5 Ruan Nortje: He ran an effective and efficient lineout but did mess up once as he conceded a penalty inside the All Blacks’ 22 from the set-piece. He was up to his usual standard in terms of work-rate and effort. 7 Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust. 4 Eben Etzebeth: Helped himself to an All Blacks’ lineout in the 20th minute but was overzealous soon after, spoiling a Springboks attack inside the New Zealand 22. Not Etzebeth’s finest Test match but not his worst either. 5 3 Wilco Louw: The leading battering ram in the demolition job of the All Blacks’ scrum, Louw obliterated George Bower from the 15th minute after having the upper hand early on with no reward. The shove just before half-time to earn the penalty try was a sight that every tighthead dreams of. Left the pitch after a 50-minute shift that included a handy tackle too. 8 2 Malcolm Marx: The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year produced a masterclass in hooker play. He thumped the Soweto turf when he celebrated an outrageous maul try and the fact that his name was credited with the five points was just reward for the brilliance he produced prior. His lineout darts were world-class, his breakdown work otherworldly, and he was the focal point of a brutally effective Bok scrum. A world-class performance from a world-class player. He got a standing ovation when he left the pitch and deserved it. 9 1 Ox Nche: Like his fellow prop, Nche was sturdy at first before exploding and ripping Tyrel Loamx to shreds. He comfortably got the better of the All Blacks’ tighthead and was rewarded for doing so. He also had a wonderful break in the first half, latching on to a pass from Wiese and did brilliantly to keep the ball alive. 8 Replacements: The starters laid the platform in the first-half and Erasmus smartly used his bench in the second half to see the Springboks to victory. Manie Libbok was assured in the fly-half role after Kolbe’s early exit. Morne van den Berg was superb from his first minute whilst Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit all made good contributions despite the scrum being less dominant. The Bomb Squad didn’t need to explode to inspire the Boks to victory, but they certainly got the job done. 7 READ MORE: Springboks v All Blacks, LIVE BLOG: Coverage of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test in Soweto