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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

Rugby Championship: All Blacks v Springboks player ratings

Andrew Alderson
By Andrew Alderson
Reporter·NZ Herald·
15 Sep, 2018 10:18 AM5 mins to read

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Cheslin Kolbe scored for the Springboks. Photo / Photosport

Cheslin Kolbe scored for the Springboks. Photo / Photosport

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See who shone and who struggled in South Africa's 36-34 win over the All Blacks.

All Blacks

15. Jordie Barrett - 6

Raced into fifth minute gap like he was late for a bus. Glitch with rushed throw-in nabbed by Le Roux in 25th. Glided well into line.

14. Ben Smith - 7

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Poise as he accelerates is a trait which will be lauded in All Blacks history. Ensured opponents were constantly pirouetting.

13. Anton Lienert-Brown - 6

Sitting duck as Le Roux snared 25th min Jordie Barrett lineout pass. Composed hot kumara-ing Ioane try. Fed Kolbe for intercept.

12. Ryan Crotty - 6

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Constant forays to try to pierce Springbok defence in return from concussion. Faced a Fenway Park Green Monster defence.

11. Rieko Ioane - 6

Pace might challenge a cheetah or greyhound but few opportunities to unleash. Fred Astaire footwork in second half try.

10. Beauden Barrett - 5

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Kicking boot struggled at key moments, like at 36-34. Courage in 56th as Boks loomed, but stepped by Dyantyi later.

9. Aaron Smith - 6

Struggled under Springbok swarming defence in pursuit of victory. Graceful hongi to swap with Perenara.

8. Kieran Read - 7

Constant threshing in the rucks and mauls. Key lineout take in 79th and stepped up — but to no avail — in final stanzas.

7. Sam Cane - 6

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Spilt ball early but buried himself in graft work to keep All Blacks' chances alive. Met steely Springboks' resolve at breakdowns.

6. Liam Squire - 6

Useful lineout mitts and handy running off teammates' shoulders. Struggled against opposition might.

5. Scott Barrett - 6

Dragged into maul as Marx came free in 32nd minute try. Kept tackling but physicality appeared to take its toll.

4. Samuel Whitelock - 6

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Did plenty of mahi against unrelenting opponents. Gave scrum spine but Springboks had measure despite his rangy work.

3. Owen Franks - 7

Tenacious tackling made sure attackers felt his presence. Powerful cornerstone scrummaging.

2. Codie Taylor - 7

Textbook draw and pass in face of 17th minute Kitshoff challenge to set Ben Smith free. Roamed with flair.

1. Karl Tu'inukuafe - 7

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Could safely lay out silver service setting to dine off his back in the scrum. Teased with a Meads-esque one-handed run.

Reserves

16. Liam Coltman - 6
17. Tim Perry - N/A
18. Ofa Tuungafasi - 6
19. Patrick Tuipulotu - 6
20. Ardie Savea - 7
21. TJ Perenara - 8
22. Jack Goodhue - 7
23. Damian McKenzie - 7

South Africa

15. Willie le Roux - 7

Exquisite grubber and perseverance in chase set up 25th minute try. Got yellow card in 68th after desperation at ruck.

14. Jesse Kriel - 7

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Effective 52nd tackle to snuff out Read scrum move, but not enough to stop All Blacks juggernaut moments later.

13. Lukhanyo Am - 7

Punishing tackler on occasion. Combative in attack but replaced by Kolbe at halftime, who snared crucial intercept.

12. Damian de Allende - 6

Shoulder looked damaged early in second half. Struggled to make an impact through All Blacks defensive line.

11. Aphiwe Dyantyi - 7

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Looked like a Dancing With The Stars rookie against Ben Smith footwork but got utu waltzing in for two tries.

10. Handré Pollard - 7

Over-kicked at start but made sound marshalling decisions. Even refused to flinch as Tu'inukuafe bulldozer loomed.

9. Faf de Klerk - 7

Looked like a modern day Jean-Pierre Rives dashing about the fray. Gave forwards plenty of incentive.

8. Warren Whiteley - 8

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Roved and revved his way around the field to lend stability and poise to cause. A selfless display. Looked knackered.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit - 6

Clasping at shadows on occasion against All Blacks' sleight of hand. Ran effectively with ball in hand.

6. Siya Kolisi - 7

Revelled in tackling and led by example to get team to first win in New Zealand since 2009. Stamped the authority of Old Foe.

5. Franco Mostert - 6

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Did some maul surfing in the lead-up to Marx try. Handy takes from lineout ensured Springboks had resource to work with.

4. Eben Etzebeth - 7

Rummaged around in rucks and mauls with limited dividends. Safe lineout option. Disciplined with victory on horizon.

3. Frans Malherbe - 7

Meaty early tackle on Beauden Barrett. Squire's right arm and shoulder know the capability of his horsepower.

2. Malcolm Marx - 8

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Carried ball like it was a crown jewel for 32nd minute try. Master at drawing defenders and creating space elsewhere.

1. Steven Kitshoff - 7

Leg power in mauls gave Springboks parity and swung hips into a pass like Bruce Robertson in one backline cameo.

Reserves

16. Bongi Mbonambi - N/A
17. Tendai Mtawarira - 7
18. Wilco Louw - N/A
19. RG Snyman - 7
20. Francois Louw - N/A
21. Ross Cronjé - N/A
22. Elton Jantjies - 7
23. Cheslin Kolbe - 7

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