Month: July 2015

Jannie du Plessis: 6.5

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 5
Ou Grote: 7

#Bok prop Jannie du Plessis had this to say in a very entertaining post-match interview after their loss to the ABs. pic.twitter.com/ScHE8PY4XX

— Jean Smyth (@JeanSmyth) July 26, 2015

Bismarck du Plessis 7

Sport24: 7
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 7

TRY. Huge turnover as Bismarck du Plessis hustles Kieran Read and Kriel finds le Roux inside who scampers in. Converted. 7-3 #RSAvNZL

— Rugby World (@Rugbyworldmag) July 25, 2015

Tendai Mtawarira 6

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 6
Ou Grote: 6

"I would go with Beast Mtawarira at loosehead, with a real carrot up his arse, so he knows he's got to play" – Nick Mallett.

— Hunter Sbu Mjikeliso (@Sbu_Fundraiser) July 8, 2015

Lood de Jager 7

Sport24: 7
Rugby365: 7/10
NZ Herald: 8
Ou Grote: 7

Lood de Jager was massive again, no doubt his our best lock with Eben!!! Imagine Vermeulen to add his physicality with him, eina for opp

— Nelio de Sà (@NelioDeSa) July 25, 2015

Eben Etzebeth 6.5

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 6

Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth combining excellently! @BreytonPaulse #SSRugby #Springboks

— Dirk Stander (@DirkStander) July 25, 2015

Schalk Burger: 7.5

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 7/10
NZ Herald: 9
Ou Grote: 7

#SchalkBurger looks for silver lining http://t.co/GnrMtGNRQs pic.twitter.com/w8RoExLstE

— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) July 25, 2015

Francois Louw 6

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 5
Ou Grote: 6

NEWS: @JannieDup3, @FloLouw and @WarrenWhiteley could all be sidelined through injury. https://t.co/kSd4BlmneI pic.twitter.com/I0ct6Op5ZA

— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) July 25, 2015

Heinrich Brussow 6.5

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 7

Lood de Jager & Heinrich Brussow were superb. Two players that played almost no Super Rugby. Like I said at the time, blessing in disguise.

— Just Sport (@JustSportZA) July 26, 2015

Bryan Habana 6

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 6
Ou Grote: 6

He scored seven tries against @AllBlacks already, will he add another today in his 108th test match? @BryanHabana pic.twitter.com/XjD7Twm08s

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) July 25, 2015

Handre Pollard 6.5

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 6

For me the way @hpollard10 is controlling the Bokke attack tonight is superb!!!

— Jurgen Visser (@Vissie_15) July 25, 2015

Ruan Pienaar 6

Sport24: 6
Rugby365: 5/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 5

Nick Mallet : "Hilux bakkie vs a Ferrari"… Comparing Ruan Pienaar to Aaron Smith. #SAvsNZ

— Raeeq Gamieldien (@RaeeqG) July 25, 2015

Jesse Kriel 8

Sport24: 8.5
Rugby365: 8/10
NZ Herald: 8
Ou Grote: 8

Jesse Kriel!!! This guy is a serious talent. Two international games, two tries! https://t.co/7OaSH3MPxL

— EatSleepRugby (@Eat_Sleep_Rugby) July 25, 2015

Damian de Allende 7.5

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 8/10
NZ Herald: 8
Ou Grote: 7

Damian de Allende is a bit of an animal!!

— Joe Preece (@J_Preezey) July 25, 2015

Willie le Roux 6.5

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 6

Up and over he goes! @wjjleroux #homegroundadvantage #RSAvsNZL @absa @flysaa @bmw_sa @Ascics_ZA pic.twitter.com/y9nsOCpCWl

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) July 25, 2015

Cornal Hendricks 6

Sport24: 6
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 5
Ou Grote: 6

All Blacks score after dispossessing Cornal Hendricks. Wide ball sees hole for Sopoaga and Smith scores. Crucial timing. . #SAvNZ #ssrugby

— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) July 25, 2015

The Springbok team to face New Zealand for the 90th time shows eight changes from last week.

• Schalk Burger will captain the team from No 8
• Francois Louw moves to 7 for Marcell Coetzee (injured)
• Heinrich Brüssow replaces Louw at 6
• Lood de Jager replaces Victor Matfield (injured)
• Vincent Koch joins the bench

This is what Heyneke Meyer had to say:

“Injuries have forced our hand a bit, but we’ve stuck with our planned rotational policy on the bench and it will be great to see what Heinrich, Vincent and Flip can do.

“The breakdown battle will again be huge and it will be good to see Heinrich and Francois play together. They are versatile players and I am convinced they will combine perfectly.

(more…)