B&I Lions Player Ratings v Springboks - 2nd test

July 31, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

South Africa outclassed the British and Irish Lions 27-9 in an ill-tempered second Test to level the series in Cape Town and set up a decider.

Here is how we rated Warren Gatland's men in defeat.

Stuart Hogg - 5

An unconvincing performance from the Scotland captain. He was beaten in the air by Makazole Mapimpi from a kick off in the first half and was limited to few attacking opportunities. Unable to grab a crucial high ball in the build up to Mapimpi's try and with the intense battle for positions in the back three, he could find a place on the bench in the third test.

Anthony Watson - 4.5

An error-ridden performance conceding turnovers and was penalised for bumping Pollard in the air. Struggled to get any advantage on attack with the little ball he got.

Chris Harris - 6

Some good defensive reads which is the template of his game. Not a really convincing performance on attack although he did complete a few nice passes. He made a notable thumping hit on Lukanyo Am.

Robbie Henshaw - 7

Almost grabbed a crucial try before halftime but was expertly denied by Siya Kolisi. A knock or two under the high ball but overall he was excellent in the air as he put pressure on the Springboks in the air. Excellent defensively and with ball in hand. One of the Lions' best.

Duhan van der Merwe - 5

Stupidly sent to the sin bin for extending his leg out to trip Cheslin Kolbe. Lucky to miss out on punishment on his tackle on Pieter-Steph du Toit. Put under pressure under the high ball by the Springboks. Saw little ball to punish the Springboks' defence.

Dan Biggar - 6

Mixed his approach wonderfully in the opening quarter with his grubbers and bombs but the Lions stalled on attack. The game got away from him as the Springboks gained the ascendancy.

Conor Murray - 6.5

His box kicking was up to his usual high standard but he was a bit slow to the rucks and the Springboks punished that with their suffocating defence. He struggled to spark the Lions attack but neither was Ali Price.

Mako Vunipola - 5

Solid in the early scrums but gave a penalty away in the 20th minute as he changed his angle and from there it was just downhill for the veteran as Frans Malherbe got the better of him as he did in the Rugby World Cup Final. Had three penalty calls go against him.

Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6

Solid with his lineout darts and troubled the Boks with his carries. Made his tackles but wasn't as effective at the breakdown.

Tadhg Furlong - 6

Kitshoff got the better of the Irishman in some of the scrums but he had far more involvements with ball in hand.

Maro Itoje - 6.5

Not quite as effective as the first test but solid nonetheless. A pest in the lineout for the Springboks/

Alun Wyn Jones - 7.5

Fronted up to the Springboks pack superbly. A real warrior in the Lions packing leading the charge on defence. Excellent in all departments.

Courtney Lawes - 6.5

A bit quieter than last week but was solid nonetheless. Good defensively and claimed a good lineout steal.

Tom Curry - 6

Got distracted by the handbags but managed to stay on the right side of the whistle. Boks gained the ascendency and he was outplayed by Kolisi.

Jack Conan - 6

Stuck his tackles but was stalled on attack and didn't quite have the same impact as he did last week. Not too much wrong overall in his performance just not his day.

Replacements:

Ken Owens - 4

De Jager managed to disrupt his lineout darts. Less impactful around the park.

Rory Sutherland - 4

Bettered in the scrum and was error-ridden.

Kyle Sinckler - 4

Same as Sutherland with Nyakane bettering him in the front row.

Tadhg Beirne - n/a

Got the final 10 minutes and not long enough for a fair rating.

Taulupe Faletau - 5

Solid but the Springboks had the advantage and shut him down.

Ali Price - 5