A much-changed Springboks rallied to put in an exciting, but error-strewn performance against a strong Scotland at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
While the Scots fought valiantly and scored four tries, the world champions showed their mettle and depth to secure a 42-28 victory over the visitors in the second Nations Championship match of the season.
We rate the Bok players’ performance.
15 Aphelele Fassi (5): Conceded a silly side entry penalty after he felt he didn’t get a reward for a late tackle on him. Conceded possession a couple of times, but defended well at the death.
14 Ethan Hooker (6): Slotted in late after Canan Moodie withdrew from the team. Excellent chasing the ball and some crucial tackles, but needs a few more minutes to get up to speed.
13 Jesse Kriel (7): Largely made to tackle for almost the entire game, but showed his calmness and leadership under pressure. Worked tirelessly for that final score to seal the game.
12 Damian Willemse (7): Had a couple of strong runs in the midfield, looking for meters for his side. Saw more of the ball in the second half and started a try that he finished off as well.
11 Edwill van der Merwe (6): Chased the high kicks and got up in the air quite well for the contest. One or two quick runs, but the speedster didn’t see enough of the ball on the attack.
10 Handré Pollard (6): Some soft moments on defence as the Scottish players ran over or through him and didn’t put the Bok attack away. Kicked flawlessly to the poles to give the team breathing space.
9 Embrose Papier (7): Sharp and quick behind the breakdown and the returning scrumhalf put in some solid kicks for the wingers to chase. Subliminal try as he sniped around a ruck and outstripped the defence.
8 Evan Roos (6): Made some telling carries with the ball in hand and kept the defence busy. Scored a good try with a strong surge for the line. However, a couple of crucial penalties went against him.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (6): Not his most astute performance on defence and missed a couple of critical tackles. But he led with distinction again and pulled the side together when the chips were down.
6 Paul de Villiers (7): Another top performance by the rookie, on attack and defence. From the first whistle, he spoiled the ball at the breakdown and impressed with his strong carries against a good defence.
5 Ruan Nortjé (6): A crucial turnover at a stage to halt a Scottish attack. However, defensively he had some lapses that cost the team. Brilliant effort in the lineout to get the Bok maul rolling.
4 Cobus Wiese (6): What a barnstorming run in the build-up to one of the Springbok tries. He showed strength and pace to outstrip the defence. But a couple of soft penalties against him.
3 Wilco Louw (6): He had the number of his friend Pierre Schoeman in the scrums and had him with his backside in the air at one scrum. Carried the ball strongly and made some good meters.
2 Johan Grobbelaar (7): A Crucial turnover when the Boks were on the defence. Carried some strong balls on the attack and had to work hard to contain the Scots on defence.
1 Boan Venter (6): Showed massive strength in the scrums and worked tirelessly on the attack and defence. But looked out of breath at a stage, and there will be questions about the walking.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (5): Solid scrums as loosehead and then as hooker, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu (4): Missed a couple of crucial tackles and looked off the pace, 18 Zach Porthen (6): Strong scummaging against experienced men and scored a brilliant try, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon (5): That yellow was unnecessary, but he had a solid impact on attack and defence, 20 Vincent Tshituka (4): A couple of solid tackles and attempts to steal ball, 21 Elrigh Louw (6): Excellent impact off the bench with his running and scored a good try, 22 Grant Williams (6): A crucial try-saving tackle and sped up the game behind the ruck, 23 Quan Horn (5): A good tackle to stop Scotland attack at the death.
