Springboks player ratings: Once again the Springboks have sauntered into the home of French rugby, stomped all over the carpets with muddy boots, broken the good kitchenware and nicked a few family heirlooms.
The reigning world champions had a point to prove, that their one-point win in the quarterfinals two years ago was no fluke.
A stodgy first half, marred by a harsh red card, was quickly dispelled as the Boks ramped up the energy with some stirring performances from a handful of substitutes as they blew away the French and silenced a hostile crowd with a 32-17 win.
15. Damian Willemse – 6
Predictably assured in the back field. A canter back towards a loose ball in his own half, followed by a slippery wriggle out of contact under pressure in the first 40 summed up his game. Some neat touches elsewhere, it was the inaccuracy elsewhere that meant he was largely a peripheral figure. Replaced by Manie Libbok with just over 20 minutes to go.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 6
Like most of his fellow backs, he was asked to cover on defence and chase kicks for most of the game. Made one swift recovery tackle on a cantering Louis Bielle Biarrey in the corner and stood his ground when the flying French winger came straight at him down the tram.
13. Jesse Kriel – 7
Didn’t see much of the ball but helped marshal the defence when things fractured past the edge. Seven tackles made an impact and helped prevent France’s flying wingers from escaping down the tram.
12. Damian de Allende – 6
Made six carries but mostly from a standing start and without much penetration. Didn’t stink the place up, but didn’t set it alight either. Replaced by Andre Esterhunzen on 48 minutes as part of a triple switch.
11. Kurt – Lee Arendse– 6
Caught napping when Thomas Ramos dinked a kick in behind to tee up Damian Penaud’s early try, replicating a developing weakness he first showed in the loss to Australia in Johannesburg. Came into his own later on.
10. Sacha Feinberg – Mngomezulu – 8
Much better when he moved to fullback. One outrageous offload out the back almost connected with Kolbe, and when he could run onto the ball, rather than dictate tempo, he was threatening. Scythed through the French defence when he linked with Libbok on a wraparound move. Wasn’t perfect, but when the ceiling is so high, even an imperfect performance is more than good enough.
9. Cobus Reinach – 8
Scored a stunning solo try when he broke from the back of a ruck, cut a line, chipped over the last defender and regathered to dot down. Couldn’t quite ignite play while the game was scrappy, but his individual brilliance stood out.
1. Boan Venter – 7
Was earmarked as a potential weak point in the team after Ox Nche’s withdrawal, but held his own until the 32nd minute when he was hooked — prematurely if you’re asking me — for Gerhard Steenekamp.
2. Malcolm Marx– 8
Brilliant as he so often is. Who would want to tackle, or be tackled, by this slab of granite? Abrasive in the loose and reliable at the line-out. There is now a large gap between South Africa’s premier hooker and the next cab off the rank.
3. Thomas du toit – 7
Perhaps the most versatile prop in the world. Won two turnovers in the first half and helped procure a couple of scrum penalties. Not quite a master, this jack of all trades put in another commendable shift. Part of the triple sub on 48 minutes when he made way for Wilco Louw.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 5
Confrontational without being commanding. He wasn’t bossed by the French pack but didn’t do any bossing himself. A lukewarm contribution. Replaced by RG- Sygman on 48 minutes.
5. Lood de Jager – 3
Was harshly shown a red card for a head-to-shoulder shot on Ramos. The French fullback was falling as the South African lock was stooping to tackle. Had Ramos stood upright he would have been hit in the chest. De Jager was handy before that and pinched a French line-out inside his own 22 as the first half drew to a close, though three missed tackles reduced his score.
6. Siya kolisi – 5
Ten minutes before the start of his 100th Test, South Africa’s captain ran out to the centre of the Stade de France like a rock star, shrouded in the glow of a spotlight as fireworks exploded around him. We’ve become so used to fairytale moments from Kolisi that another was expected here. It wasn’t to be. After an inconspicuous first half he was hooked before the second as he made way for Ruan Nortje, on to shore up the pack following de Jager’s sending off.
7. Pieter – Steph du toit – 7
The last time the reigning World Rugby player of the year stepped off the Stade de France, he had made 28 tackles against the All blacks to help secure the World Cup. It was always going to be difficult to replicate that show but this felt well short of his usual standards. It’s not that he was poor, it’s just that he was quiet. He started the game by dropping a kick into touch but soon found his feet. A team high of nine tackles once again underlined his value.
8. Jasper Wiese – 9
South Africa’s best player. Solid either side of the ball. Brought his confrontational best when charging into heavy traffic with a team high of 17 carries. Indomitable. Might be his best ever game in Springboks green.
16. Johan Grobbellar – N/A
Unused substitute.
17. Gerhard Steenekamp – 7
Replaced Boan Venter on 32 minutes and played his part in the front row.
18. Wilco Louw – 7
Won a penalty in his second scrum. No matter what happens in this world, you can be sure that South Africa will continue to produce monsters in the front row.
19. RG Snyman – 7
An instantly recognisable presence, his long levers are a weapon after contact. Despite some stiff carries and meaty tackles, he couldn’t turn the tide of the game.
20. Ruan Nortje – 7.5
Solid as a HIA replacement for de Jager early in the match and solid again when he made his permanent entry into the contest in the second half. His all-court game was on show as he won line-outs, stitched together moves in tight exchanges and added his heft around the fringe. A really good game.
21. Andre Esterhuizen – 8
His first job was to pack down on the side of a scrum in his new role as a hybrid centre-flank and bagged a try off the back of a rolling maul from a line-out. Performed his primary task of running hard and straight into contact across an excellent cameo that helped turn the tide.
22. Grant Williams – 8.5
Came on for Reinach on 60 minutes and instantly added zip with some fizzing passing off the base. Put the game to bed with a sniping dart off a line-out that included a dummy off the base and an explosion through the hole.
23. Manie Libbok – 7
Slotted in at fly-half when he replaced Willemse just before the hour mark. Like Feinberg-Mngomezulu, he looked to kick but was charged down at his first attempt when hacking from hand. Other than that, showed that he is a composed operator at first receiver. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that South Africa looked more threatening on attack when he came on and started running the show.
