3. Wilco Louw – 9
His only run went backwards but he’s there to scrum and scrum he did. Won multiple penalties which took any momentum away from the All Blacks. If the scrum was an even contest, then maybe the All Blacks are up 3-0. But Nche, Marx and Louw have been immoveable and the main reason the Springboks won another test.
4. Eben Etzebeth – 6
Not as influential as last week but won a lineout turnover against Peter Lakai in the lead-up to his side’s first try, again a real momentum breaker off the back of an All Blacks penalty kick for touch. Knocked the ball on in attack. Strong work around the ruck as usual. Off after 56 minutes.
5. Ruan Nortje – 6
Led the tackle count for the Boks with 12 and a strong and reliable lineout option. Was penalised with his side on attack.
6. Siya Kolisi – 6
Weak defence on the opening try, beaten by Ardie Savea. Some strong runs and a threat around the breakdown. Finished with 11 tackles. But when he left the field, the Boks were down 17-12. Can you be an inspirational captain if you don’t play the final quarter?
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 9
Much like the World Cup final he was a constant threat with some massive tackles just when the Boks needed it. He forced a key turnover and then made some strong tackles that put the All Blacks backwards, leading to a turnover. Also broke the line.
8. Jasper Wiese – 7
Heavy on the carries once again with one key run playing a major role in the lead-up to the opening try. But the All Blacks kept him at bay other than that. Won a turnover.
9. Cobus Reinach – 7
Bore the brunt of Asafo Aumua in lead-up to All Blacks’ opening try but then struck back and won a key turnover on Aumua — which turned the first half as the All Blacks were looking to extend a 12-5 lead. His box kicking was largely ineffective, but he was strong in defence with 11 tackles. Off just two minutes into the second half.
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 5
Won a pretty weak battle between the No 10s who both spent 10 minutes in the bin. But at least Feinberg-Mngomezulu was accurate with the boot, kicking seven points which proved to be vital in the end. But other than that was nothing special around the field with a mixed kicking game. Had 11 carries but lost three turnovers. High kickoffs are probably his best asset.
11. Ethan Hooker – 5
How he got official man of the match is inexplicable. Yes, he won a key kickoff, turned the ball over in his own 22 and made an intercept but he also lost five turnovers (the most in the match), missed five tackles (the most in the match) and didn’t beat one defender. His miss on Savea in the first half ultimately led to Feinberg-Mngomezulu heading to the bin. He’s a constant threat in the air, I’ll give him that, but a player who spends most of the game out of the action (didn’t notice him in the scrum or rolling maul) and doesn’t play a part in any points being scored is not the best on the field.
12. Damian de Allende – 7
Stood up Leroy Carter to put Kurt-Lee Arendse in for the Boks’ opening try. Big defensive effort all game and mostly kept his opposite at bay.
13. Jesse Kriel – 8
His surging run to beat Carter to score was a key moment in the match. Up fast on defence, which wasn’t always successful — but he finished with nine tackles and seven carries in a strong all-round effort. Did drop the ball cold.
14. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7
Strong take and exit to start the game. Opened the scoring in the corner but came off his line early to let Carter run clear, but recovered well, before Savea’s second try.
15. Cheslin Kolbe – 6
Left the field after just nine minutes with a head knock, which was a real shame. Moved to fullback and made a great chase to deny Will Jordan kick ahead.
Bench
16. Deon Fourie – 7
He turns 40 in three weeks. A strong chance he’ll be celebrating it having beaten the All Blacks a fourth straight time in tests. Brilliant replacement option at scrum time but didn’t do much else in his 34 minutes.
17. Gerhard Steenekamp – 8
The scrum didn’t drop off at all when he entered and was much stronger with ball in hand than Nche.
18. Thomas du Toit – 8
You’d think the All Blacks would have been glad to see the back of Louw only for his replacement to do pretty much the same job.
19. Lood de Jager – 6
Won a few late lineouts after coming on for the final quarter.
20. Andre Esterhuizen – 5
Didn’t have much of an impact compared with previous tests.
21. Cameron Hanekom – 6
Came on and got to join a dominant rolling maul. Had some late carries and was good defending in the final stages before the All Blacks eventually got a try after the hooter.
22. Morne van den Berg – 6
Stripped Jordan with the All Blacks on attack. But made a couple of errors. Better box-kicking.
23. Manie Libbok – 6
On early for Kolbe. Weak work entering the ruck let Savea score his second try. Went close to scoring just before the break. Finished with the most metres carried (72m) for the home side.
Cameron McMillan has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport.
