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.â€
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.