Springboks: Top stats performers - tackles, turnovers & more

The World Champion Springboks were dealt a blow on Saturday evening when they fell to the British & Irish Lions, 22-17, in the first of the three Test series. 

It can be safely said that the men in green are lacking some match-fitness as a strong start evolved into playing catch-up as they lost their way in the second half.  

It is now do or die for the Boks who have to win the second Test in order to have a hope of taking the series, which will add a little more spice to the occasion. 

We take a look at the stats columns to see who the top Springbok performers were. 

Tackles: 

Franco Mostert – 15 

Eben Etzebeth & Pieter-Steph du Toit – 13 

Malcolm Marx - 11 

Carries: 

Damian de Allende - 14 

Kwagga Smith – 12  

Willie Le Roux & Handre Pollard – 6  

Metres gained: 

Damian de Allende – 53 

Handre Pollard - 51  

Kwagga Smith – 35  

Defenders beaten: 

Pieter-Steph Du Toit & Kwagga Smith – 3   

Elton Jantjies, Willie Le Roux & Ox Nche – 2  

Turnovers won: 

Eben Etzebeth – 2  

Trevor Nyakane, Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi, Willie Le Roux – 1