Springboks Player Ratings v Wales - Third Test
- 8623
Handre Pollard claimed a 20-point haul as South Africa beat Wales 30-14 to win the Test series in Cape Town on Saturday.
Here is how we rated Jacques Nienaber's charges.
15 Damian Willemse - 7
He wasn't afforded as much space as he shifted into the midfield just 20 minutes into the encounter. However, he still managed over 40 running metres, claimed a good catch under the high ball and stepped up defensively.
14 Cheslin Kolbe - 5
Kolbe had a bright start beating Dan Biggar in the air for a kick, but he was fended off by North in the build-up to Tommy Reffell's try before he was forced off with a suspected fractured jaw.
Le Roux replaced him in the 21st minute.
13 Lukhanyo Am - 7.5
Am was a real threat each time he got his hands on the ball. He had two try involvements ruled out, neither his fault, as he set Mapimpi up brilliantly with a kick only for his foot to be in touch. He scored one of his own, stepping past Williams, only for it to be ruled out for a forward pass.
There was no drop-off when he moved to the wing in place on Kolbe, which is saying something.
12 Damian de Allende - 7
De Allende had some bulking carries into the heart of the Welsh defence as he successfully generated front foot ball. He was arguably unlucky to have his try ruled out while he was strong on defence and won a turnover.
11 Makazole Mapimpi - 6
Mampimpi came close to scoring early on but was unfortunately in touch when he collected Am's kick-through. His aerial wors was of the highest order as he put Rees-Zamitt under pressure.
10 Handre Pollard - 6.5
Pollard ran an excellent line between Elias and Lydiate to grab the opening try. He kicked far better than he did last week and controlled the attack well. He was wasteful with attacking kicks in the Wales 22, not always with the advantage. Flawless off the tee.
9 Jaden Hendrikse - 7
His box kicks were on point, as they were in test two, while he defended with real vigour. He managed to get over the ball a few times at the breakdown and whipped the Boks' attack into life when needed.
8 Jasper Wiese - 4
Wiese was wasteful with the Springboks' dominating the scrums in the Wales' 22 as he failed to keep the ball in on two occasions, both of which could have resulted in penalty tries. Lucky to get away with a nasty clean and dropped a high ball. Despite all that, his carrying and tackling were solid. He was replaced before half-time.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit - 6.5
Du Toit was out to land big hits on Dan Biggar as he did to George Ford in the Rugby World Cup Final. He did give a silly penalty away, which allowed Wales to level the scores after the half-hour mark. Big ball carries, solid lineout work and thundering hits on defence, including one in the 72nd minute stopping a Welsh attack in its tracks.
A strong game as he works his way back to his best.
6 Siya Kolisi - 8
Kolisi was physically abrasive throughout as he powered through and into tackles on either side of the ball. He shrugged off Nick Tompkins with ease to score and was a pest at the breakdown. He fended off Watkin brilliant too.
5 Lood de Jager - 7.5
He ran the lineout perfectly, carried hard into contact, flew into rucks, won a turnover, and claimed a lineout steal.
4 Eben Etzebeth - 8.5
A trademark Etzebeth performance as he celebrated his 100th appearance in Green and Gold. He pestered Hardy whenever he box kicked, was a safe lineout option, landed a big hit on Hardy too and was abrasive with the ball in hand.
3 Frans Malherbe - 7.5
Malherbe had the upper hand in the scrums; he was immense at the breakdown, clearing out bodies on attack and made his tackles.
2 Bongi Mbonambi - 7.5
Mbonambi took his opportunity to score superbly, his lineout work was flawless, and the Springbok scrum operated well with him spearheading it. A strong game as he brought up 50 test caps and 11 tries.
1 Trevor Nyakane - 6.5
Nyakane switched back to loosehead prop after playing tighthead in test two. He dominated Lewis for most of the first half but was guilty of two scrum penalties on either side of the break before being replaced.
Replacements:
16 Malcolm Marx - 8
He picked up from where Mbonambi left off and added a real threat over the ball.
17 Steven Kitshoff - 7
Kept the pressure on at scrum time. Busy around the park.
18 Vincent Koch - 7.5
Made a significant impact with ball in hand and turned the applied the pressure at the set pieces.
19 Franco Mostert - 6
Gave away a silly penalty but was his usual busy self.
20 Kwagga Smith - 8.5
Immediate impact off the bench as he ripped the ball out of the grasps of Will Rowlands and sparked a counterattack that almost led to a try. Brutal to bring to the ground and a force over the ball.
21 Elrigh Louw - n/a
22 Faf de Klerk - 6
Good box kicks and quick service - closed the game out nicely.
23 Willie le Roux -6.5
Le Roux had some promising touches and made over 40 running metres. His distribution remains an asset for the Boks, as is his work under the high ball.
