Springbok player ratings vs New Zealand

The All Blacks ran in 5 tries to beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park in the first of four tests between these two great rugby countries. South Africa will look back and wonder how they let the All Blacks into the match after they were dominating in the first half.

Lets take a look at the Springbok player ratings.

Starting XV

15 Damian Willemse 7/10 | Had to move to wing later in the match due to injuries. Was good under the high ball in the first half but a few knockons in the second half is something he will want to work on.
14 Cheslin Kolbe 7/10 | Left the field in the 58th minute with a leg injury. Did not have a lot of ball on attack but kicked 100% off the kicking tee. 

13 Jesse Kriel 6/10 | Had to move to wing early in the match and he was not the dangerous Kriel that the Springboks always could rely on.
12 Damian de Allende 7/10 | In his 100th test, de Allende got too little ball to make a positive impact in the match.
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse-N/A. Left the field early in the first half with a knock to the head
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 5/10 | Not the best match from the Springbok flyhalve. Two easy knockons and not always linking up with his centres will be something he will want to 
9 Grant Williams 7/10 | The best backline player for the Boks in the match. Had to move to wing and then later back to scrumhalve. Looked sharp on attack. Will want to get the box kicks in better positions after he was charged down.

8 Jasper Wiese 8/10 | Best forward for the Boks in the match. Strong carries and solid on defence.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit  7/10 | Captain du Toit was all over the park on defence. A handful of carries from du Toit is something he will be happy with.
6 Paul de Villiers 7/10 | Youngster de Villiers did nothing wrong on both sides of the ball.
5 Ruan Nortje 5/10 | No problems for Nortje on his own lineout ball but one feel he should have put more pressure on the All Blacks lineout.
4 Eben Etzebeth 5/10 | Two easy penalties against him early in the match is something the big man will not be happy with. 

3 Wilco Louw 8/10 | Dominant from Louw in the scrums. The big man can be happy with his match.
2 Malcolm Marx 7/10 | A good match from Marx but a knock on 10cm's from the All Blacks line after a good maul brings his total down to 7.
1 Ox Nche 8/10 | Got through a mountain of work and was huge in the scrums.

Replacements 6/10 |  The bench was no bomb today but a few sparks from Esterhuizen.
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels N/A
17 Gerhard Steenekamp N/A-Was on the field 
18 Zachary Porthen N/A
19 Cobus Wiese N/A
20 Andre Esterhuizen 7/10 | Came onto the field early in the first half for Arendse, with Kriel moving to the wing. Scored a try and brought physicallity on defence but did not always find his runners on attack.
21 Marco van Staden 5/10 | A yellow card for a early tackle.
22 Cobus Reinach 5/10 | A yellow card for a slap down.
23 Manie Libbok N/A