Springboks Player Ratings v B&I Lions - Third Test

August 07, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

South Africa's forgotten man Morne Steyn kicked a last-gasp penalty to secure victory on his first Test appearance in five years.

Here is how we rated the Springboks in their victory.

Willie le Roux - 8

One or two hiccups under the high ball but Le Roux was otherwise brilliant in snuffing out promising Lions attacks while igniting a few crucial ones for the Springboks including Kolbe's try which he assisted.

Cheslin Kolbe - 8

Snatched the first contestable kick superbly in the air and that set the tone for his game. He made a great tackle on a rampaging Maro Itoje and took his try in an outstanding fashion. Missed one tackle but stuck his other five and filled in at scrumhalf well at times.

Lukhanyo Am - 8

Consistently shut down threatening Lions' attacks with some sharp decisions as he shot up out of the line and made crucial interventions. He sent Le Roux on his way to set up Kolbe's try and was excellent in all departments. One of the best in the business in that #13 channel at the moment.

Damian de Allende - 8

Tanked the ball up into contact strongly as per usual. Won a key penalty in the final 10 minutes of the first half. He regularly got over the advantage line and made 12 tackles, the third highest tally on the night.

Makazole Mapimpi - 6

Saw far less ball than he did last week but hardly put a foot wrong all game.

Handre Pollard - 6.5

Early error in the air cost the Springboks a penalty. Had a few nice touches with two offloads, the one in the first half almost leading to a try. His shots at goal could have cost the Boks had it not been for Steyn.

Cobus Reinach - 6.5

Some good early box kicks with the Boks able to get the first back. He did get caught up in a few rucks but Kolbe was on hand to clean up. Solid outing in replacing Faf de Klerk and did his chances of doing so again no harm.

Steven Kitshoff - 7

Put pressure on Tadhg Furlong in a good battle in the scrums. A solid shift on defence too with a penalty won at the breakdown too.

Bongi Mbonambi - 5

A skew throw at his first lineout and gave up a strong attacking position with a knock-on. Distatourous throw before halftime. His throws got better in the second half but a forgettable performance from the Springbok hooker.

Frans Malherbe - 7

Traded early blows in the scrum with Wyn Jones but eventually, he gained ascendency winning three scrum penalties on him before he was replaced. Strong on either side of the ball and busy in clearing out rucks. Solid game from the tighthead.

Eben Etzebeth - 8

Stole a lineout superbly from the Lions 5m from his own line that saved a potential try before half time. Physical as ever and charged down a few kicks too. Big 80 minute shift from the Enforcer.

Lood de Jager - 7.5

Topped the tackle count in a busy performance where he didn't give an inch. Some of the blame for the lineout troubles in the first half does fall on his shoulders but he was able to rectify the issues in the second half before being replaced.

Siya Kolisi - 7.5

Won a crucial penalty that possibly denied the Lions a try before half time, as he did in the second test. Strong defensively making good tackles particularly as an assisting tackler.

Not as effective with ball in hand as he was in the first two tests but was excellent at the breakdown.

Franco Mostert - 8

Left the pitch bloodied in the first half as he got stuck into the Lions pack. Busy as ever around the pitch as he filled in for injured Pieter-Steph du Toit. Didn't replicate du Toit's impact on the blindside but put his usual trademark on the position with a tireless performance.

Jasper Wiese - 6.5

Some hefty hits on defence and solid enough under the high ball. Conceded a penalty or two for silly infringements but was otherwise solid. Forced off the pitch injured.

Replacements:

Malcolm Marx - 7

The lineout operated smoother with his hand. Big defensively and in the rucks.

Trevor Nyakane - 6

Come under pressure when he first came on but won a crucial scrum penalty.

Vincent Koch - 6.5

Worked over Mako Vunipola in the scrums and was busy around the park.

Marco van Staden - 7

Won an important penalty on the ground for Morne Steyn to slot over. A telling impact.

Kwagga Smith - 7.5

Two telling cameos in either half where he got stuck in defensively and controlled the back of the scrum well.

Herschel Jantjies - 6