Springbok Player Ratings v Scotland
- 7316
Two tries from Makazole Mapimpi helped the Springboks to a 30-15 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The World Champions were tested by Gregor Townsend's side, with captain Stuart Hogg grabbing two tries for the home side.
Jacques Nienaber's side was just too strong as the Bok pack flexed its muscled to secure the win.
Here is how we rated the Springboks against Scotland.
15. Willie le Roux - 5
A relatively quiet game from the Springbok fullback. He had a knock-on and wasn't quite quick enough to stop Duhan van der Merwe from serving Stuart Hogg up for a try. His playmaking and ability under the high were sharp, though, before Frans Steyn replaced him.
14. Jesse Kriel - 7.5
Kriel made some stellar reads on defence and chased down Duhan van der Merwe well in the first half. His contesting the air was strong, too and led to a second try for Mapimpi.
13. Lukhanyo Am - 7
Lukhanyo Am had some excellent touches with the ball in hand. One of which led to the second try for Mapimpi. He was sharp on defence, too, despite giving away a penalty for a high tackle.
12. Damian de Allende - 8
Physically abrasive and effective with ball in hand, made good metres early on. He brilliantly set up Makazole Mapimpi for his second try with a stellar run into the Scottish defence and produced a magnificent offload.
11. Makazole Mapimpi - 8
Took his two tries brilliantly as he darted down the touchline from a simple draw and pass by Siya Kolisi. He ran a great support line off of Damian de Allende to grab another.
10. Elton Jantjies - 7
He ran the Springbok attack well while he was on the pitch, and his accurate passing game played a role in both of Mapimpi's tries while he managed to beat two defenders with his carries.
9. Herschel Jantjies - 4
Not his best game in Green and Gold. His kicks were off the mark, one going out on the full, while his passing wasn't too sharp either. He failed to deal with a loose ball that Stuart Hogg pounced on.
1. Ox Nché - 7.5
Got the upper hand on Zander Fagerson at scrum time, winning with the Springbok pack winning three penalties with him and Nyakane on the pitch. He carried well, too, before the front row was replaced just before halftime.
2. Bongi Mbonambi - 7.5
Played his part in a hard-hitting and effective Springbok front row. One of his lineout darts did not go to hand, but that doesn't all rest on his shoulders.
3. Trevor Nyakane - 7.5
Along with Nche, he scrummaged well to earn three penalties. Substituted just before halftime but had a strong game before then.
4. Eben Etzebeth - 8.5
A strong carry early on left Haining in his wake, he nicked a lineout off Scotland soon after. He carried strongly into contact and chased high balls well too. A tireless shift from the Springbok veteran who was named man of the match.
5. Franco Mostert - 7
Darted up and down the pitch doing just about everything in his 50th appearance in Green and Gold. He run the Boks' lineout well too and managed a steal just before he left the pitch after another solid performance this year.
6. Siya Kolisi - 7
Kolisi continued his fine form in 2021 with another performance littered with standout moments. He sent Mapimpi tearing down the flank for a try in the second half. He was sharp defensively too landing big shots and got good purchase with his carries.
7. Kwagga Smith - 7
Another strong performance from Kwagga Smith as he begins to nail down that starting role in the back row. One of his turnovers from a rip led to Mapimpi's second try while he was excellent with both ball in hand and on defence.
8. Duane Vermeulen - 6
A quietly effective shift from Vermeulen. He was solid defensively and contested for the ball well on the deck winning one penalty for the Boks. He was a good option at the lineout too.
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx - 7
Took over from Bongi Mbonambi and built on the performance. Did well over the ball and at the set pieces.
17 – Steven Kitshoff - 7
Excellent over the ball and at scrum time.
18 Vincent Koch - 6
A few penalties against him but was great at scrum time.
19. Lood de Jager - 6.5
Picked up from where Mostert left off.
20. Jasper Wiese - n/a
Got on in the last 10 minutes of the game. Not enough time for a fair rating.
21. Cobus Reinach - 6.5
Kicked accurately and the Bok attack looked far sharper with him at scrumhalf.
22. Handré Pollard - 6
Picked up from where Elton Jantjies left off. Had one wayward pass but sharp otherwise.
23. Frans Steyn - 6
Landed a monster penalty from his own half