The Loose Forwards [7.5]
8. Duane Vermeulen [8.5]
Rugby365: 8/10
Worked very hared and was very good value at the breakdown, making some crucial turnovers. However, his tendency to go high in the tackle cost his team at times. That pass for Du Preez’s try made up for all his blunders.
Sport24: 8/10
Made some storming metres on occasion, and always one of the more precise Bok players on a day when imprecision was too often a team feature. Always in market for a poach, one natty ‘SBW’ offload … and then crisp, key involvement off back of scrum in Du Preez’s try.
Daily Mail UK: 9/10
Hugely physical player but also an outstanding footballer with extraordinarily high skill level.
Telegraph UK: 9/10
Offload of the tournament to create Du Preez’s try. Approaching the form he was in when he was crowned IRB Player of the Year. Monstrous carrying.
OuGrote: 8.5/10
7. Schalk Burger [7.5]
Rugby365: 7/10
Lots of carries, mostly effective, and a few neat offloads. However, he also made some poor decisions and conceded some penalties.
Sport24: 7.5/10
Twenty-six carries! That is quite some statistic, and underlined yet again that Burger just doesn’t “do†anonymity in a Bok jersey. Always big on scrambling defence when required, too. The veteran was official man of the match, even if I rated him a fraction below one or two others, for the little it matters. Maybe Boks overdo using him in No 10 channel a tad?
Daily Mail UK: 7/10
Carried well and tackled superbly. Good to see him back close to his best.
Telegraph UK: 9/10
What a warrior. Lining up as the Springboks’ second receiver, Burger made an incredible 26 carries and was also his team’s top tackler.
OuGrote: 7.5/10
6. Francois Louw [6.5]
Rugby365: 7/10
His workrate, on defence and at the breakdown, was immense. His hands did let him down at times, but his carries made up for that.
Sport24: 6.5/10
Visiting pundit Lewis Moody called beforehand for more carrying and linking by the open-sider, who does this well for Bath. He responded to good degree, especially in first half; one terrific charge. Customary good industry at close quarters.
Daily Mail UK: 7/10
Wonderful carrying in the first half and some excellent link play too. Strong at the breakdown.
Telegraph UK: 6/10
Made a couple of impressive bursts with ball in hand but far less prominent at the breakdown where Warburton ruled the roost.
OuGrote: 7/10
SOURCES:
Daily Mail UK
Telegraph UK
Sport24
Rugby365