NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

Player ratings: All Blacks v Springboks

Andrew Alderson
By Andrew Alderson
Reporter·NZ Herald·
16 Sep, 2017 10:08 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Who shone and who struggled in the All Blacks' big win over the Springboks?

All Blacks

15. Damian McKenzie - 6
50th min wipers kick perfect to get territory and set lineout 5m from line. Still vulnerable at times under the high ball.

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder - 8
Slick finishing, especially his
receipt of the B.Barrett backflip, the key in breaking Springbok resolve.

13. Ryan Crotty - 8
Effortless direction of his side's fortunes out wide. Wins Smokin' Joe Stanley prize for pristine distribution.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

12. Sonny Bill Williams - 6
Backstage role with effective passing and defence. Has the red card from the Lions series numbed his flair?

11. Rieko Ioane - 8
Telepathic with A.Smith to score 1st try when he got the jump on Rhule. Human skeleton key on attack.

10. Beauden Barrett - 9
Audacity of 21st min Harlem Globetrotter backflip 1st on highlights reel. Unleashed full repertoire of skills.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

9. Aaron Smith - 8
20/20 vision to set Ioane free with a chip kick in 18th min from quick tap. Enthusiastic sniping aided team momentum.

8. Kieran Read - 7
Quality lineout recovery in 40th min. Ran and offloaded effectively, to ensure a record score against The Old Foe.

7. Sam Cane - 7
Powerful in contact and breakdown grafting ensured his teammates enjoyed the spoils out wide.

6. Liam Squire - 8
Fearless tackling, especially try-saver on Kriel. Looked hungry, like he was ready to skin a rabbit with his teeth.

Discover more

NPC

Rugby: Manawatu tip over Waikato

16 Sep 05:35 AM
NPC

Tasman hold off Otago in thriller

16 Sep 06:43 AM
All Blacks

ABs thrash Springboks by record margin

16 Sep 09:30 AM
All Blacks

ABs: Beauden Barrett back to his best

16 Sep 09:28 AM

5. Sam Whitelock - 8
Master of the bear hug tackle and handy in lineout. Pinched a beauty with a tap off Boks' throw in 28th min

4. Brodie Retallick - 8
Gleeful look on chops when gifted 37th min try. Raised clenched fist in joy, before customary emotional grip resumed.

3. Nepo Laulala - 6
Difficult early stanzas in the scrum but provided plenty of physicality in the tight as the hosts racked up 1st half points.

2. Dane Coles - 7
Threw with gutterboard champion-accuracy for the most part. Produced the odd piece of finesse in broken play.

1. Kane Hames - 5
Let down by his scrummaging as Dreyer put him in a hyperbaric chamber of pressure. Crockett on in 43rd min.

Reserves

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

16. Codie Taylor - 7
17. Wyatt Crockett - 8
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi - 7
19. Scott Barrett - 8
20. Ardie Savea - 6
21. TJ Perenara - 6
22. Lima Sopoaga - 7
23. Anton Lienert-Brown - 8

Springboks

15. Andries Coetzee - 6
Kick-chase accuracy struggled but attacking running, passing and aerial work sound in the circumstances.

14. Raymond Rhule - 3
Found out of position and turning like the interisland ferry in 18th min as Ioane scored. Picked off like lint in 37th.

13. Jesse Kriel - 6
Runs like a torpedo but had few opportunities to launch. Feisty in defence, but difficult when chasing black shadows.

12. Jan Serfontein - 6
Robust contribution in all facets. Abrasive, but no chance with ABs in routing mood as ball kept moving through hands.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

11. Courtnall Skosan - 5
Earnest but dizzy chase of the B.Barrett/Milner-Skudder show. AWOL when S.Barrett skipped across.

10. Elton Jantjies - 5
Could not create the required opportunities. Demoralising when ABs pounced against early flow

9. Francois Hougaard - 6
ABs counter-attacks meant he struggled to offer astute direction. Handy passing to set up runners in channel.

8. Uzair Cassiem - 5
Offered brawn and bulk but fast-twitch fibres could use a rev-up to drive past gain line. Looked exhausted

7. Jean-Luc du Preez - 6
Hard running, but assignment became impossible against ABs' slick distribution and recycling.

6. Siya Kolisi - 6
Tenacious tackling. Drilled Laulala on half hour mark but laboured as black juggernaut rolled into history.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

5. Franco Mostert - 5
Gave scrum pep but replaced early in 2nd half by de Jager as visitors looked to gain any form of impetus.

4. Eben Etzebeth - 6
No lack of personal commitment, but could not inspire teammates. Identifiable by furrowed brow.

3. Ruan Dreyer - 7
Punishing scrummager. Put Hames on the braai with a back resembling Table Mountain. Less impact versus Crockett.

2. Malcolm Marx - 4
Looked like he was throwing lineouts for distance rather than accuracy. Musical chair jumpers didn't help.

1. Tendai Mtawarira - 6
Remains a scrummaging rock and virile lineout lifter but that had little impact against hosts' speed.

Reserves:

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

16. Bongi Mbonambi - 7
17. Steven Kitshoff - 7
18. Trevor Nyakane - 7
19. Lood de Jager - 6
20. Pieter-Steph du Toit - 6
21. Francois Hougaard - N/A
22. Handre Pollard - 5
23. Damian de Allende - N/A

Save

    Share this article

Latest from All Blacks

Premium
All Blacks

Robertson shakes up All Blacks with bold squad selection

23 Jun 08:40 AM
Premium
Opinion

Ben Francis: The unlucky five players who missed All Blacks selection

23 Jun 08:10 AM
Premium
Opinion

Gregor Paul: The questions raised by Razor's All Blacks cuts

23 Jun 04:55 AM

Anzor’s East Tāmaki hub speeds supply

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from All Blacks

Premium
Robertson shakes up All Blacks with bold squad selection

Robertson shakes up All Blacks with bold squad selection

23 Jun 08:40 AM

Scott Robertson's second year sparks a notable selection shake-up for the All Blacks.

Premium
Ben Francis: The unlucky five players who missed All Blacks selection

Ben Francis: The unlucky five players who missed All Blacks selection

23 Jun 08:10 AM
Premium
Gregor Paul: The questions raised by Razor's All Blacks cuts

Gregor Paul: The questions raised by Razor's All Blacks cuts

23 Jun 04:55 AM
Scott Robertson names his first All Black selections of 2025

Scott Robertson names his first All Black selections of 2025

Kaibosh gets a clean-energy boost in the fight against food waste
sponsored

Kaibosh gets a clean-energy boost in the fight against food waste

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP