Springboks player ratings v Barbarians: Returning forward and Cheslin Kolbe the ‘star performers’ in world champions’ one-sided win

After their 54-7 victory over the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup clash at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, here’s how the Springboks team performed on Saturday.

15 Aphelele Fassi: The full-back will be happy with his performance as he put in a superb all-round effort. Did brilliantly with a grubber kick which was rounded off in style by Cheslin Kolbe early on. Continued to impress on attack as the match progressed and was spectacular under the high ball. 8

14 Cheslin Kolbe: Showed why he is rated as arguably the best winger in the world as he looked dangerous with ball in hand and was rewarded with that try. Also impressed when fielding aerial balls despite atrocious weather conditions and created try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates. 9

13 Jesse Kriel (c): The world champions’ stand-in skipper led his troops well and was solid on defence and attack, combining superbly with his centre partner Damian de Allende. 7

12 Damian de Allende: Combined excellent physicality with some deft touches on attack with his grubber kick in the build-up to Kurt-Lee Arendse’s try a thing of beauty. Also did his bit on defence and scored a deserved try. 8

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Like his wing partner Kolbe, the Boks‘ other excitement machine did not let the conditions affect him as he asked plenty of questions of the Barbarians’ defence. 8

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: Although he made a shaky start when he had a kicked charged down, the young playmaker soon settled and got his backline firing with some superb playmaking. Was eventually replaced by Manie Libbok in the second half. 7

9 Morne van den Berg: Despite the conditions, the rookie number nine provided solid service to his outside backs and varied his play well with clever offloads and some good box kicks. 7

The forwards

8 Jean-Luc du Preez: The Sale Sharks star made some powerful carries during a 38-minute stint before leaving the field due to injury with Kwagga Smith coming on to replace him. 7

7 Vincent Tshituka: The Bok debutant can be happy with his performance as he was brilliant on both sides of the ball. Was solid at the breakdowns, impressed as a ball carrier and crossed for two well-taken tries. 8

6 Marco van Staden: He came into the run-on side as a late replacement for regular captain and will be happy with his performance as he did what was expected of him. Like Tshituka, his groundwork was superb and he defended well. 7

5 Lood de Jager: The behemoth lock was the one of Boks’ star performers – along with Kolbe – as he took the ball into contact several times and impressed in the lineouts, especially during the early stages. Continued to shine as the match progressed as he took the fight to the Barbarians with superb physicality on attack and defence – especially at close quarters. 9

4 Jean Kleyn: The Munsterman emptied the tank during an 80-minute performance as he did well in the execution of his core duties with his lineout and defensive work solid throughout. 7

3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye: The other debutant in the run-on side was on the field for 44 minutes and was solid in the tight exchanges before being replaced early in the second half. 7 2 Malcolm Marx: The experienced hooker started the rout when he crossed for the opening try and continued to shine on attack and defence before leaving the field just after the restart. 8

1 Ox Nche: Like fellow prop Ntlabakanye, the 2023 Rugby World Cup winner did what was expected of him up front and impressed on defence. 7

Replacements: The Springboks’ reserve players continued with the excellent work of the players who they replaced with the likes of Kwagga Smith and Libbok leading the way with excellent performances while Andre Esterhuizen also impressed when he replaced Van Staden on the flank in the second half. 8