Springboks ratings: Ethan Hooker, scrum lead the charge as Springboks overpower All Blacks

The Springboks ensured they cannot lose Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks with a 29–24 victory on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

While they started off slowly, the world champions grew into the game with their physicality and dominance at scrum time, while the injection of Manie Libbok following an early injury to Cheslin Kolbe sparked the attack.

It was a brilliant first-ever win over New Zealand at the stadium and one that handed South Africa a 2–1 series lead.

IOL Sport rates the performance of the victorious Springboks.

Look at the work by Damian de Allende 👏

KLA scores another in Green and Gold 🤩✨

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Starting XV

 

15 Cheslin Kolbe (-): Too short a time on the field to judge after suffering a broken jaw early on.

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (7/10): Looked dangerous every time he had the ball in hand on attack. Did well to beat the defence out wide a couple of times and scored a good try.

13 Jesse Kriel (6): A couple of glaring missed tackles that hurt the Boks and a knock-on with no defender in front of him. Made up for it partially with a good solo try.

12 Damian de Allende (7): He set up Arendse’s try with a brilliant swing of the hips to get outside his man. He was a beast on defence.

11 Ethan Hooker (8.5): Another stellar display by the winger. Covered almost every metre of grass in the stadium. Excellent runs and great defence by the youngster.

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6): Some excellent kicks at goal, especially a difficult penalty in the swirling wind. Still didn’t fully stamp his authority on the attack, but defended well.

9 Cobus Reinach (5): Not his finest day behind the Bok scrum and breakdown. A couple of momentum-stealing errors, and his kicks did not deliver the desired results.

So close to one of the tries of the season 🤯🤏

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8 Jasper Wiese (7): The one player the Boks looked to for go-forward ball, even from a standing position. Made some hard carries and controlled the ball well for a penalty try at the scrum.

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (7): After missing an early tackle, he was visibly upset with himself. From then on, he flew into the contact without much regard for his own body or his opponents.

6 Siya Kolisi (7): Took a knock in the first half but soldiered on. Very powerful with his carries and on defence, playing out of his skin.

5 Ruan Nortjé (5.5): Solid in the lineouts but wasn’t as prominent with his carries and defensive work. Must look at bringing a bit more physicality on match day.

4 Eben Etzebeth (5.5): Not as effective with his physicality, especially on the tackling front, even being put down by an All Black defender. However, still strong with the ball in hand.

3 Wilco Louw (7.5): A force to be reckoned with in the scrums, winning the very first penalty for the Boks. From there, they dominated the set-piece. Made some crucial tackles.

2 Malcolm Marx (8): A massive steal in the second half at a breakdown that brought an attacking lineout. Solid with his lineout throws that set up good rolling mauls, one of which he scored from.

1 Ox Nché (7.5): What a shift from the loosehead. Didn’t let Louw get all the shine up front and completely dominated the All Black scrum.

Jesse Kriel wrestles his way free to score 💪🏉

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 5, 2026

Replacements

 

16 Deon Fourie (6): Made an immediate impact at the breakdown, slowing the ball down for the visitors. Strong on defence as well.

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (6): Came on and brought a bit more grunt to the front row.

18 Thomas du Toit (6): Won some good penalties in the second half and maintained scrum dominance alongside the other replacements.

19 Lood de Jager (5): Brought some needed physicality as the Boks closed out the game.

20 André Esterhuizen (6): Ran over a couple of defenders in his role as a hybrid operator.

21 Cameron Hanekom (7): Brought real physicality with his runs and tackles to maintain the team’s momentum.

22 Morné van den Berg (7.5): Made a small lineout error, but his speed, tackling tenacity, and attacking instinct made a significant difference.

23 Manie Libbok (8): Changed the game after coming on at flyhalf. Injected pace and delivered an extraordinary pass to get the team permanently on the front foot.