Day: October 4, 2015

Best of the bench

Adriaan Strauss [6]

Rugby365 [6] – Continued where Bismarck du Plessis left off in the line-outs with some good throwing.

Sport24 [7] – The mark of a good substitute is his ability to make an impression almost immediately … and Strauss did that, even after a muscular Du Plessis showing for 56 minutes. Always on hand for a forceful cleanout or support for a carrier when needed.

» Next: Have Your Say

The Front Row [7]
Jannie once again had a below-par day at the office and picked up a yellow card. Bismarck hit the ground running and Beast had one of his better outings.

3. Jannie du Plessis [6]

Rugby365 [6] – Although he got yellow carded, it was a much improved performance by the prop. He held his own in the scrums and showed still has that grit which is need up front. He still needs to do more work around the field.

Sport24 [6] – Still the most endangered first-teamer: gets a reasonable rating on strength of some good Bok scrums, his core task, but yellow card for shoulder-charge will have stretched coach Meyer’s patience.

JOE UK [6.5] – Played in the shadow of his younger brother, but dominated the Scottish scrum with ease. Still, his yellow card was totally avoidable and – despite what ITV commentators seemed to think – was the right call by Owens.

Ou Grote [6] – Will almost certainly be dropped for next week’s game as Meyer makes a statement about discipline.

2. Bismarck du Plessis [7.5]

Rugby365 [8] – Showed some raw power going forward with ball in hand and made metres every time he got the ball. His line-out throwing was also superb.

Sport24 [7] – Looked pumped-up at the start, and proceeded to put in brutal shift in his 75th Test. Tons of grunt, but did spill one ball in contact.

JOE UK [8] – One of South Africa’s most dynamic players. Rare to see a front-row player so involved in the loose.

Ou Grote [7.5] – An extra loose forward and his usual combative attitude – accurate throw-ins also took the pressure off our young locks.

1. Beast Mtawarira [7]

Rugby365 [7] – The prop gave Willem Nel a hard time in the scrums. He was also good in defence, but needs to show more aggression in the tackle.

Sport24 [7.5] – Has had some tough one-on-ones with WP Nel at scrum-time in SA in the past … but this wiped the slate clean. Imperious left shoulder, and must have regretted there weren’t more scrums. Regular ball-in-hand surges, too. One of his best games in a while.

JOE UK [8] – Destroyed a pedestrian Scottish scrum and looked fitter than ever.

Ou Grote [7] – Handed the much-hyped WP Nel a lesson at scrum time and also got more involved in the loose.

» Next: Best of the Bench

The Locks [8.5]
The stand-out combination for the Boks on the day. The Scots had no answer to the rampant Bok lock duo who smashed over the advantage line at will, bossed the lineouts, and knocked the opposition back in defense.

5. Lood de Jager [9]

Rugby365 [9] – The big lock probably played is best game for the Springboks so far. He put his team on the front foot on a number of occasions and it often took about three Scottish players to bring him down. To put it simply, he was the best player on the field.

Sport24 [8.5] – According to post-match sheet, 14 tackles and 13 carries … premier Bok in both departments. Quite phenomenal industry for 74 minutes, even if he leaked a few penalties. Strong at lineout, including firm pressure on Scottish throw.

JOE UK [8.5] – Possibly the most underrated player in this South African squad.

Ou Grote [9] – Man of the Match performance from the young Bok lock. Aggressive and effective on both attack and defence. Controlled the lineouts well in the absence of Matfield.

4. Eben Etzebeth [8]

Rugby365 [8] – Made a big impact on defence where he stopped a lot of Scottish players in their tracks. His big physical frame also kept the Scots busy on defence.

Sport24 [7] – Such a fierce shift against Samoa that it would have been hard to emulate it. Came close, though. Got stern competition (and a minor how’s-your-father) from Richie Gray, but fantastic endurance once again, including fierce last-quarter carries as Boks turned screws.

JOE UK [7] – Forming a dangerous partnership in the second row. Nowhere near the level of Victor Matfield/Bakkies Botha yet, but getting there.

Ou Grote [8] – Almost on a par with Lood with strong attacking runs and aggressive defence knocking the hapless Scots back every time. Maintained the intensity throughout.

» Next: The Locks

The Loose Forwards [7.5]
Industrious performance from all the Bok loosies as they combined well and were often the recipients of ball from number 9.

8. Duane Vermeulen [7.5]

Rugby365 [8] – Made more metres with ball in hand than any other forward on the park and dominated the collisions as well. He is definitely getting back to his best.

Sport24 [7.5] – Scottish forwards were well up for this engrossing game … but discovered even that’s not always enough when there’s a slab of steel like Vermeulen in enemy ranks. Always at the fulcrum of things in tight-loose. Good lineout steal, though one over-fancy offload thwarted a Bok attack.

JOE UK [5] – He will be disappointed with his performance. In a game in which the Springbok pack dominated, he was notably poor.

Ou Grote [7.5] – Thankfully getting back to his best and inspiring those around him (especially our young locks) with his strong runs and bossing of the collisions.

7. Schalk Burger [8]

Rugby365 [8] – Tackled like a man possessed and crossed the gain line on a number of occasions. He linked well with the players around him with some great offloads on attack. It was another industrious performance by the flank.

Sport24 [8] – Let Heyneke Meyer, speaking soon afterwards, explain: “He had an injury … might not have played. At his age, to play like that … unbelievable. He’s not just a basher; beautiful hands as well. Total package these days.”

JOE UK [6] – A typical performance from the Richie McCaw wannabe. Straddled the line between legal and illegal, causing trouble for both the opposition and his teammates.

Ou Grote [8] – Schalk just never lets up, performing the work of two loose forwards. Played an effective roll in the Bok approach to keeping the ball close to the forwards while earning the right to go wide.

6. Flo Louw [7]

Rugby365 [7] – He won a lot of ball on the ground and also carried the ball well. The flank also showed some nice touches with the ball in open play.

Sport24 [7] – The open-sider was not overly prominent for turnovers here, but greatly aided Bok pack’s ability to set up speedy, quality possession at breakdowns. Firm tackles, and piloted one awesome, steam-rolling maul.

JOE UK [7] – One of the reasons the Scottish back-row looked so poor.

Ou Grote [7.5] – Came out the starting blocks firing for the first half hour. Disrupted the Scots at the breakdown and enabled clean, quick ball for Fourie to feast on.

» Next: The Locks

The Half-backs [7.5]
Excellent day at the office for du Preez and Pollard. The number 9 just instills so much confidence in the youngster outside him.

10. Handre Pollard [7.5]

Rugby365 [7] – Was brave in attack and gave his backline some great width with his passing. He also put in some big hits on defence. His goal kicking was superb, but his kicking out of hand still needs work.

Sport24 [7.5] – Maturing stealthily at this tournament; composed and intelligent display, including sound place-kicking and a deft dropped-goal which made amends soon after throwing intercepted pass that led to Scottish long-range try. Couple of drive-back tackles, too.

JOE UK [8] – The first half of the game was one of the easiest armchair rides an international flyhalf will ever get. Played with confidence in the second.

Ou Grote [8] – Improving with each game – his big advantage is that he keeps the defence guessing with his multi-skilled attacking threat. Improved his place kicking since last week, landing a 50m monster. Always a threat with ball in hand and encouraging to see his drop-kick. Threw a flat pass for the Scotland intercept try, but otherwise a composed and effective outing.

9. Fourie du Preez [8]

Rugby365 [9] – Another world-class performance by the veteran and he was one of the best players on the field. He gave his team direction on attack once again with his decision-making and kept the Scottish defence guessing with his quick service at the breakdown.

Sport24 [7] – Led the Boks with expected unflappability and tactical astuteness. Has brought out so much more in Bok outside backs at RWC with stealth and assuredness of his service.

JOE UK [7] – Not his best game in a South African jersey by any means, but still a solid performance.

Ou Grote [8] – Crucial to the Bok cause with his excellent reading of the game, defensive positioning and quick service. Great first outing as captain.

» Next: The Loose Forwards

The Centres [7]
Not much for the young duo to do on attack, but when they did get chances invariably got the Boks over the advantage line.

13. Jesse Kriel [6.5]

Rugby365 [6] – A very quiet day at the office for the youngster. He did not get much of the ball on attack and when he did get his chances he was well marked out wide.

Sport24 [6.5] – Not a lot of space to play with in his channel, but one of several youthful Bok players to exhibit healthy ‘BMT’ on the day. Wriggled into a half-gap every now and then.

JOE UK [6] – Was exposed defensively at times again today. Still has a lot to learn about playing centre at the highest level.

Ou Grote [6.5] – Not many opportunities as the Boks focused on keeping the ball close to the forwards. Had a few strong runs but was well marked by the Scots.

12. Damian De Allende [7.5]

Rugby365 [8] – He is a monster with ball in hand and you could sense the fear in Duncan Weir and Matt Scott when he ran at them. He gave his team some good go forward ball and beat defenders with ease.

Sport24 [7.5] – Probably not quite 100 percent after knee injury against Samoa, but that didn’t stop him bossing the inside-centre duel. Particularly sturdy on defence, an area sometimes questioned, and also won a precious turnover under pressure. Strong leg drive in tight spaces.

JOE UK [6] – The focus on forward play meant the Springbok centres had very little to do.

Ou Grote [7] – Made his opposite number work hard on defense as he showcased his powerful running work. Always managed to get his team over the advantage line.

» Next: The Half-backs

The Back Three [7.5]
Never really threated by the Scottish attack, the back three did well to look for work, as well as keep their opponents on their toes with their attacking potential.

15. Willie Le Roux [7]

Rugby365 [8] – Read the game well from the back and once again provided the Boks with an attacking spark when he joined the backline.

Sport24 [6.5] – The fullback made some early kicking errors, sometimes overdoing the policy or putting too much weight on his ‘dinks’. But he erased that trend as the game advanced, and was often well-positioned on defence and confident fielding aerial balls.

JOE UK [7] – Was never really challenged by a lacklustre Scottish attack.

Ou Grote [7] – Was good on defence, fielded some high balls, and offered good attacking support.

14. JP Pietersen [7.5]

Rugby365 [8] – Was a thorn in the Scottish side with his eye for the gap and he also got on the scoreboard again with a try. Notched up plenty of metres with his runs and was solid on defence as well. A fantastic performance by the wing.

Sport24 [6.5] – Was always going to struggle to match his productive, hat-trick feat against Samoa; there simply weren’t as many attacking opportunities on his side of the park. But no lack of industry, including great, scrambling tackle on Duncan Weir just before Scots got their breakout try. Penalised for one borderline tip-tackle.

JOE UK [7] – Finished his try nicely in the first half and caused trouble for Scotland throughout.

Ou Grote [7] – JP continues to rise to the occasion of the World Cup – was always an attacking threat, kept the Scottish defence guessing and put in some good hits. Unfairly pinged for a tip-tackle.

11. Bryan Habana [8]

Rugby365 [8] – Kept the Scottish on their toes under the high ball and also made a good couple of runs. It was a good outing for the veteran wing who also got a try.

Sport24 [7.5] – Turning into a compelling third World Cup for this 2007 winner. Fantastic sense of opportunism, high work-rate and useful bastion of experience and calmness outside some callow fellow-backs. Fine high-ball claim early on, and deserved his late try.

JOE UK [8] – Clearly not the unstoppable force he was in 2007 but was a nuisance for the Scottish defence. Showed his experience with a brilliantly finished try.

Ou Grote [7.5] – Great try from the veteran (his 61st) and as always looked for work around the park.

» Next: The Centres