Here are the Ou Grote Bok player ratings for the World Cup pool game against England. The Springboks delivered a clinical 80 minute performance to humiliate England 36-00.
01. Os du Randt – 7
A steady game from the Bok frontrow legend. Lasted ten minutes longer than usual. His experience shone through and had a huge effect on settling his team-mates.
02. John Smit – 7
Superb captaincy to keep his team focused for the entire 80 minutes. His bulk in the scrums helped to wear down the big England forwards.
03. BJ Botha – 7
Proved a tricky opponent for the massive Andrew Sheridan and, although penalized for scrumming illegally, delivered a solid performance.
04. Bakkies Botha – 8
One of the best games to date from the Bok enforcer. Excellent in the lineouts, brutal at the breakdown and full of running around the park.
05. Victor Matfield – 8
Huge game from the world’s best lock. The usual lineout domination but an increased work rate around the field.
06. Wikus van Heerden – 8
‘Captain Courageous’ continues to impress. Filled in brilliantly for Schalk, made some crucial turnovers (particularly the one that lead to JP Pietersen’s try), and fronted up physically to the big English forwards.
07. Juan Smith – 7
Played a tighter game but still got around the park to deliver some excellent support play – notably resulting in his try.
08. Danie Rossouw – 7
One of Rossouw’s better performances in a Bok jersey. This is the type of game in which he excels and he made a big contribution at ruck time, on defence and with a generally high work-rate.
09. Fourie du Preez – 10
Official Man of the Match du Preez gave a masterclass in scrumhalf play with his quick service, intelligent boot and sniping breaks. Had a hand in all three of the Bok tries and confirmed his status as the world’s best number 9.
10. Butch James – 7
A good kicking performance from Butch, the usual strong defence and good distribution to allow Steyn to shine at inside centre.
11. Bryan Habana – 8
Habana is looking in scarily good form. Gone are the touchline runs followed by chip kicks over his defender. He’s realized that he can beat any opponent with his speed and footwork and is doing it regularly. Always looked a threat to the England plodders.
12. Frans Steyn – 9
Steyn slotted in seamlessly for the injured Jean de Villiers and delivered a mature and exciting performance. His strong defence lead to a few turnovers, while his attacking and kicking game were top-notch.
13. Jaque Fourie – 7
A solid yet unspectacular performance from Mossie. Defended well and looked threatening with ball in hand. Squandered a couple of try-scoring opportunities which luckily had no influence on the outcome of the game.Â
14. JP Pietersen – 9
By far his best performance to date in a Bok jersey. Scored two tries and set up a third in a brilliant attacking display. He is such a confidence player and a few good touches early on set him up to shine.
15. Percy Montgomery – 9
The experienced man at the back didn’t put a foot wrong all evening. Kicked all his goals and pinned England back with his massive boot.
FdP was in a class of his own. And then to have a replacement like Ruan ‘BMT’ Pienaar…We’re blessed in the scrumhalf dept.