Month: September 2015

Your Call

[poll id=”18″]

Best of the Bench

Rugby365: 8/10 Frans Malherbe
Turned the Springboks’ fortunes around in the scrum when he came on in the second half and looked like a man possessed with ball in hand.

Sport24: 7.5/10 Lood de Jager
You just can’t seem to keep the spring-heeled young athlete out of the fulcrum of the action this year, whether he is starting or making an impact off the bench for the national cause. Took over the baton from a firing Matfield with ease – and no lack of venom — after 55 minutes.

OuGrote: 7.5/10 Lood de Jager
Carried on where Matfield left off in the lineouts and was a constant menace on attack with his powerful running.

Sources: Rugby365 | Sport24

The Front Row [6]
Jannie wasn’t that great, Beast did what was needed, and Adriaan had a great game in the lineouts and the loose.

03. Jannie du Plessis [4.5]

Rugby365: 4/10
Was poor in the scrums and gave away some silly penalties. His place in the team is not safe.

Sport24: 5/10
Hurt a knee during first half, which impeded his mobility a bit, but had been struggling anyway to achieve both a scrummaging grip and efficiency in open play. Incurred penalty wrath of Wayne Barnes at breakdowns too.

OuGrote: 4.5/10
The incident where he injured his knee looked bad, but the doctor gave himself the all-clear. Ineffective in the scrums and gave away too many penalties.

02. Adriaan Strauss [7]

Rugby365: 7/10
Found his line-out jumpers with ease and was also at the forefront of a powerful Springbok pack.

Sport24: 7/10
Not everyone favoured omission of Bismarck du Plessis, but give the 50-capper his due: tigerish display for 68 minutes including some concerted carries and near-deadeye efficiency with his lineout throw-ins.

OuGrote: 7.5/10
Grabbed his opportunity to start with both hands and had an excellent all-round game. Accurate lineout throw-ins and strong runs around the park. Got up immediately after a monster hit.

01. Beast Mtawarira [6]

Rugby365: 6/10
Did not have a lot of the ball and was solid in the scrums. He did what was asked of him.

Sport24: 6/10
Blew hot and cold … there were more “Beeeast” chants this week, indicating that he had some forceful drives. But scrums were often poor by Boks, so must take some responsibility there.

OuGrote: 6/10
A couple of runs, and solid if unspectacular in the scrums.

The Locks [8]

05. Victor Matfield [7.5]

Rugby365: 8/10
Made his presence felt in the line-out with a few steals and ensured his team got possession on their own throw in. He was also the anchor in a powerful Springbok driving maul.

Sport24: 7.5/10
Some critics felt he should be demoted for this one: instead he got up for it superbly. Constant bastion of reliability in first half, either at kick-off collections or the lineout, where he caused mayhem on Samoan throw. Rousing applause as he left field on 55 minutes, sound job done. Had ice pack on left leg afterwards – hopefully just a 38-year-old’s lot?

OuGrote: 7.5/10
Absolutely dominated the lineouts on both Bok and Samoan throw-ins, poached some valuable ball, and controlled the driving mauls.

04. Eben Etzebeth [8]

Rugby365: 8/10
His aggression and physicality in the tackle was just what his team needed in the tight exchanges. He also carried the ball into contact well.

Sport24: 8/10
Absolutely oozed aggression, right from the kick-off when he went clattering in and won a penalty straight away. Maintained lustre (but composure also) at coalface, and aided Matfield in ensuring lineout angst for the opposition. Bits of deft handwork as well.

OuGrote: 8.5/10
One of the best players on the park – his many strong runs got the Boks over the advantage line and rattled the Samoan opposition.

The Loose Forwards [7.5]
Duane improved as the game went on, Flo played with intent and was a menace at the breakdown, while Schalk was back to his industrious best.

08. Duane Vermeulen [7]

Rugby365: 7/10
Took some time to get into the game but made some good carries in the second half. He also brought some much needed physicality to the Springbok team.

Sport24: 7/10
Yes, there’s obviously a way to go to get him back to vintage best after a 17-week layoff … but what a Trojan to go the distance on comeback. Supervised many lethal rolling mauls, and his ball-in-hand bursts only seemed to become more frequent as game progressed.

OuGrote: 7/10
Encouraging to see his improvement in the space of one match – at this rate he’ll be firing come the play-offs. Impressive return from neck surgery and a long layoff – especially the fact that he lasted the full 83 minutes.

07. Schalk Burger [8]

Rugby365: 9/10
Was at his very best and had a work rate that was second to none in the forward pack. A great all round performance by one of South Africa’s greatest players.

Sport24: 7.5/10
Loves a good scrap, so always seemed likely to rise to the challenge against these renowned combative foes. That old engine just keeps going and going.

OuGrote: 8/10
Work rate once again to the fore in an impressive outing where he was once again all over the park.

06. Francois Louw [7.5]

Rugby365: 8/10
Was a menace at the breakdowns throughout the game. He slowed possession down for the Samoans and also put in some big hits on defence.

Sport24: 7/10
Another Bok stalwart to warm increasingly to the challenge; now much nearer to own A-game again after injury layoff. Worked tirelessly at close quarters.

OuGrote: 7.5/10
Played with huge intent and physicality throughout the game – slowing down Samoan ball, putting in some big hits, and securing valuable turnovers.

The Halfbacks [8]
Fourie Du Preez produced a brilliant performance, while Pollard kept the opposition on their toes by varying his form of attack.

10. Handré Pollard [7]

Rugby365: 7/10
Took the ball to the line on a number of occasions and seemed more confident with Fourie du Preez on his inside. He gave his outside backs good ball but he still needs to work on his kicking game.

Sport24: 7.5/10
Official man of match, even if that was disputed by some in press-box. Still, the youngster showed fearlessness going to the advantage line against the rugged Samoans, and after some early gremlins (like an overcooked kick-off) became increasingly commanding at No 10.

OuGrote: 7/10
With Fourie du Preez taking the pressure off inside him, he produced an assured performance that improved as the game wore on. Kept the Samoans guessing and awarded official MOTM.

09. Fourie du Preez [9.5] Ou Grote Man of the Match

Rugby365: 10/10
His quick service at the breakdown gave the Springbok attack direction and he took a lot of pressure off Handré Pollard’s shoulders with his tactical kicking. A sublime performance by the veteran.

Sport24: 9/10
This writer’s own choice as standout Bok player. How refreshing just to see him complete as many as 73 minutes so effortlessly! Gave the Boks key direction and sound game management at No 9, and his tactical kicking and speedy passing were godsends as well.

OuGrote: 9/10
This is what we’ve been missing – the best player on the pitch. Always there to clear the ball quickly and intelligently from the breakdown, put in some clever tactical kicks and fielded the ball at the back. We need to pray that he stays healthy.

The Centres [7.5]
Strong running from de Allende and good defensive awareness and handling from de Villiers resulted in a vastly improved showing in the midfield.

13. Jean de Villiers [7]

Rugby365: 7/10
His distribution to his outside backs was brilliant and he had a hand in one of the tries. He also held his own on defence.

Sport24: 6.5/10
Much more decisive leadership this week as Boks cleverly built an innings, as they say. Good leg drive on one occasion, and his old sleight of hand became increasingly evident before he took another worrying crack to the jaw late on; verdict awaited …

OuGrote: 7/10
A vastly improved showing from the Bok captain with some slick handling and great marshalling of the midfield defence.

12. Damian de Allende [8]

Rugby365: 8/10
Crossed the gain line every time he got the ball and brushed off a number of Samoan defenders with his big frame. The Springboks will be hoping his injury is not too serious.

Sport24: 7.5/10
Brought stealth and power to the No 12 channel; constant handful to Samoan defence even if some of his raids were a little lateral. Tackled with great purpose as well. Damaged his right knee in first half and later forced off in 48th minute.

OuGrote: 8.5/10
Immensely strong and enterprising performance by the big centre. Made some powerful and effective runs in midfield and did well on defence.

The Back Three [8.5]
Set the game alight, with each player bringing their special powers to the mix: Willie (creating chances), Bryan (looking for work), and JPP (finishing).

15. Willie le Roux [7.5]

Rugby365: 8/10
Joined the backline with speed and made more running metres than any other player on the field. His ability to be unpredictable tested the Samoan defence throughout the game.

Sport24: 7/10
Sound outing, after welcome recall. Generally kicked well when required to do so in first half, and showed his slippery qualities on attack when Boks opened up as game progressed. Came within whisker of at least two tries.

OuGrote: 7.5/10
Injected much-needed spark into the Bok attack and created plenty of chances for his team-mates with his elusive running and solid kicking game.

14. JP Pietersen [9]

Rugby365: 9/10
Scored three tries and showed glimpses of his younger self. Definitely one of his best games in a Springbok jersey in years.

Sport24: 8/10
Flirted with yellow card after silly high challenge on Alesana Tuilagi, but otherwise a revelation after lean international spell. Settled Bok nerves with brilliantly-read intercept score, then showed sublime handling and other skills. Predatory qualities of old suddenly flooded back.

OuGrote: 9/10
He always seems to do well at World Cups and today he was back to his very best form, scoring a hat-trick with superb handling and finishing skills on display.

11. Bryan Habana [8]

Rugby365: 8/10
Consistently looked for work all over the park and beat a number of defenders during the game. He also got on the scoreboard with a great try.

Sport24: 7/10
Showed praiseworthy zest and gumption in always trying to exploit the most minor of space. Rewarded for durability with handsome, tearaway final try for Boks in 83rd minute.

OuGrote: 8/10
Exceptional workrate, popping up and contributing strongly all over the field. Even got involving in the maul that lead to Schalk Brits’ try. Scored a well-deserved try of his own to take his total in internationals to 60.