The Boks beat the Fijians at their own game with a commanding display of total rugby, scoring six tries while keeping the islanders try-less. We rate the Boks’ performances:
15. Patrick Lambie [6]
Solid all round performance. Not really tested under the high ball, but performed his defensive duties well. Was also on the receiving end of some big hits!
14. JP Pietersen [7]
Busy performance, popping up all over the park, made some strong and elusive runs, good counter-attacking and performed his customary try-saving tackle against the Fijians.
13. Jaque Fourie [8]
Strong in the tackle, ran some good angles and marshalled the backline expertly.
12. Frans Steyn [7]
Shored up the Bok midfield, kicked a great long-range penalty, scored a try and was involved in setting up a few others. The big tournaments always seem to bring out the best in Steyn.
11. Odwa Ndungane [6]
Looked solid and justified his selection with a good defensive performance in the first half. Replaced by Francois Hougaard [7] who was his usual enthusiastic self, injecting some spark into the Bok attack.
10. Morne Steyn [7]
A vastly improved performance in the running department, but missed a few kicks early on. Attacked the gain-line and tackled to the best of his ability. Got the backline away nicely, and made a good break to set up the Beast for a try.
09. Fourie du Preez [6]
Also an improved performance (how could it not be?) but still not at his world-beating best. Got more involved, but poor hands let him down on occasion.
08. Pierre Spies [7]
Surprisingly didn’t have an exceptional performance considering that this was the type of game in which he usually thrives. On the plus side he did get more involved in the hard graft, making a good few tackles and working hard at the breakdown.
07. Schalk Burger [8]
Industrious as ever, making tackles all over the park. Good running with the ball in the second half and great to see him looking for the support instead of always going to ground.
06. Heinrich Brussow [8]
Brilliant at contesting in the rucks, made the most tackles on the day plus put in a nice chip kick to set up Francois Steyn for his try.
05. Danie Rossouw [10]
The Ou Grote and Official man of the match. What a game from the big man! Was relentless in his strong runs (making almost 150m), defensively solid and gave the Boks go-forward ball all day long. Scored a well-deserved try.
04. Bakkies Botha [7]
Good brief appearance laying down the physical challenge to the Fijians early on. Put in some strong tackles and ruck clean-outs. Substituted at half-time – hopefully just as a precaution. Replaced by Willem Alberts [7] who lived up to his billing as a ‘super-sub’ with a strong performance despite playing at lock. Brought some good physicality to the game.
03. Jannie du Plessis [7]
Solid performance in the scrums, good work in the loose with a couple of turnovers and a strong run to set up Jaque Fourie for a try.
02. John Smit [7]
Much improved performance from the indomitable Bok skipper. Scrummed well, defended well and did some good things in the loose. Replaced by Bismarck du Plessis [7] who had some good strong runs against the tired Fijians.
01. Gurthro Steenkamp [8]
The 2010 SA Player of the Year is getting back to his best. Strong in the scrums and his trademark contributions in the loose. Bounced a few big men to score an excellent try in the corner. Replaced by The Beast [7] who was solid in the scrums and scored a good try.
Danie deserved the player of the match trophy. Much better performance from Morne Steyn in this match and great team effort during the match, which led to an improve scoreline in the second half of the game. Wonderful game and many more to come. Go BOKS 🙂
Hougaard is likely to replace du preez in future if du preez continues to under perform in the RWC! In both SA matches, he was a disaster!
Lambie too needs more improvement. We are yet to see some really action from him.