Springbok Player Ratings vs Scotland

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.

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