Ou Grote rates the Bok players after their 16-09 loss to the Wallabies in the 2008 Tri Nations and looks at all the player ratings from across the web.
Player ratings from across the web:
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SEIKO(tm) Speler Van Die Wedstryd: Bakkies Botha (6.8)
SIEKU(tm) Kakste Speler Van Die Wedstryd: JP Pietersen (4.4)
Ou Grote’s Ratings:
15. Conrad Jantjes – 4.5
Not the full Monty.
Very ordinary game for Jantjes who should never have been there ahead of the experienced Montgomery. Weak under the high ball, poor handling, running from the wrong positions and useless kicking away of possession.
14. JP Pietersen – 4.0
Feet for hands.
Poor outing for Pietersen who suffered without the stability of Monty at the back. Poor handling, sloppy defense. He was targeted as the weak link by the astute Aussies, and was duly exploited to the tune of two tries on his wing.
13. Frans Steyn – 5.0
Get a flipping haircut.
The usual mixed bag from the youngster – did his job on defense, kicked a good penalty then missed an easier one. Gave away possession with an ill-judged drop goal attempt.
12. Jean de Villiers – 6.0
Mercurial midfield maestro.
Undid all his great work on attack by missing the tackle on Mortlock that resulted in an Aussie try. Unforgiveable at this level.
11. Bryan Habana – 5.0
Give him the ball and some space.
Was never going to see much ball playing outside Frans Steyn so it was disappointing to see him falling back into his old habit of not looking for work. The Boks needed their speed-merchant to fire in this game, but it was not to be. Injured his shoulder – looked bad.
10. Butch James – 5.0
On his knees.
Three poor games in a row for Butch. He will acknowledge that he is far better than this. Flat and uninspired – he didn’t look like he wanted to be there. Rest those knees Butch – the Boks need you to pick up where you left off in the RWC. Give Eddie a call for some tips.
09. Ricky Januarie – 5.0
The harraser harrassed.
Had a terrible game but not really his fault. Tried hard to clear up the mess at every ruck as the Boks were routinely monstered by the Aussies. Another man targeted by the Aussies and soundly kept in check.
08. Pierre Spies – 4.0
Rusty as hell.
Why Spies was picked to start ahead of Van Niekerk is anyone’s guess. Well, I guess it was because Joe has flown the coop in search of the cash (ala BJ Botha). Spies was probably the Boks worst player on the day – he looked rusty as hell, showed shocking ball skills and basically went missing in the second half.
07. Juan Smith – 6.0
World Cup hangover.
After being virtually the Boks best player at the World Cup, Juan seems to be suffering from a bit of a hangover. Three average performances on the trot by his high standards. Today he looked a little better – getting stuck in on defence, popping up in support occasionally but none of his trademark strong ball carries.
06. Schalk Burger – 6.0
Took it in the neck.
Schalk gave his usual 100% effort but fought a lone battle against the brilliance of the Aussie loosies at the breakdown. Huge blow to the Boks when he left the field injured. If he’s re-injured his neck the Boks are in all kinds of trouble. Peter de Villiers will be praying to his god that Schalkie makes a full recovery, but it’s not looking too promising. Burger NEVER leaves the field unless there’s something SERIOUSLY wrong. I mean he played an entire half of rugby with a broken neck against Scotland!
05. Victor Matfield – 5.0
Leading by the wrong example.
Bok teams thrive under captains who lead by example. Matfield today created the wrong example for his players to follow by not getting stuck in at the breakdown. Solid in the lineout, but we expect so much more from the big unit. He’s not the right choice at captain.
04. Bakkies Botha – 7.0
A Phd in Pain.
The Boks best player by far, the Enforcer popped up everywhere on defence. An energetic performance from the big man who was forced to do the grunt of two locks due to his partner’s reluctance to put in the hard graft.
03. CJ van der Linde – 5.0
Solid > Spectacular.
Did his job in the scrums but failed to dominate. Gave away a penalty at scrumtime – but that was down to poor refereeing.
02. Schalk Brits – 5.0
Nervous start.
Some dodgy early throws but eventually got into the game with good work in the loose. Visibly frustrated at his substitution after the Boks conceded a penalty at scrum time.
01. Gurthro Steenkamp – 5.0
Solid > Spectacular.
Like CJ, did his job but didn’t dominate.
16. Adriaan Strauss – 5.0. Solid lineout throwing but little more.
17. Beast Mtawarira – 5.0. Great 45m run.
18. Brian Mujati – 5.0. Average.
19. Andries Bekker – 5.0. Average.
20. Ryan Kankowski – 5.0. Average.
Coaching staff – 4.0. Why substitute Bakkies when he was our best player.