by Rob Cowie The Springboks ran out narrow 17-16 winners in their opening game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. For once it was the replacements who made a big impact off the bench. The best players on the day were Frans Steyn, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Hougaard and Bismarck du Plessis. Here is what we thought of the individual performances.

15. Frans Steyn [8] – Started well on attack with an excellent try in the corner and some booming touch-finders. Took a more defensive role in the second half, and his positional play was good. Made the Welsh think twice about kicking onto him.

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Wednesday 14 September 2011
04:30SA 03:30UK 12:30AU 14:30NZ | Samoa v Namibia (D)
07:00SA 06:00UK 15:00AU 17:00NZ | Tonga v Canada (A)
09:30SA 08:30UK 17:30AU 19:30NZ | Scotland v Georgia (B)

Thursday 15 September 2011
09:30SA 08:30UK 17:30AU 19:30NZ | Russia v USA (C)

Friday 16 Septemeber 2011
10:00SA 09:00UK 18:00AU 20:00NZ | New Zealand v Japan (A)

Saturday 17 September 2011
05:30SA 04:30UK 13:30AU 15:30NZ | Argentina v Romania (B)
08:00SA 07:00UK 16:00AU 18:00NZ | South Africa v Fiji (D)
10:30SA 09:30UK 18:30AU 20:30NZ | Australia v Ireland (C)

Sunday 18 September 2011
05:30SA 04:30UK 13:30AU 15:30NZ | Wales v Samoa (D)
08:00SA 07:00UK 16:00AU 18:00NZ | England v Georgia (B)
10:30SA 09:30UK 18:30AU 20:30NZ | France v Canada (A)