Springboks player ratings: This wasn’t a showstopper, but it was a formidable showing from the world champions, who had to fight for this 32-14 win.
Not every player scores highly, which is a sign of the attritional nature of the contest. But a few stood out and carried their mates with them.
15. Damian Willemse – 9
Rightly gets a lot of credit for his flash and dazzle, but is perhaps underrated when it comes to the less sexy jobs at fullback. Demonstrated confidence under the high ball with a keen awareness of space. Italy’s kickers battled to find open ground in the backfield as Willemse swept across to claim a series of marks under pressure. A delicious kick to the corner forced Italy to throw to the line, which was quickly turned into a free kick for the Boks and eventually into the first points of the game on 34 minutes when Handré Pollard slotted a penalty. When the game fractured, he was the most menacing Springbok with ball in hand. He was, and remains, outstanding with jinking counter-attacking runs, wriggling away from tackles in his own red zone and kicking to the corners himself. If he retires without a World Rugby Player of the Year award, I’ll eat my hat.
14. Edwil van der Merwe – 6
Saw little of the ball and spent most of the game chasing high kicks. Snatched an intercept around his bootlaces which almost sparked a lightning strike for the Boks against the run of play. Was, almost inexplicably, the fourth player to be replaced before the 27th minute when Andre Esterhuizen joined the party, but came back on after half-time.
13. Canan Moodie – 8
Incisive on the ball and slightly all over the place on defence, this was a game in microcosm for Moodie. It was his shimmy and pass that opened the space for Grant Williams’ try with less than 10 minutes to go, but he was occasionally caught out when charging out of the line as Italy pressed. Until he sorts this out he will struggle to make that 13 jersey his own. Then again, if he continues to tear the opposition apart on attack he’ll always have a place in the squad.
Italy
South Africa
12. Ethan Hooker – 8
Abrasive on defence, his extra heft came in handy as Italy bossed possession and when he packed down in the scrum. Scored his first Bok try when he plucked a late Libbok cross-field kick and then pirouetted to dot down.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 5
Totally anonymous. This just wasn’t a game for a freewheeling winger to shine.
10. Handré Pollard – 8
Disciplined, his first option was almost always a hoist off the boot in greasy conditions. For all the excitement around South Africa’s more attacking and dynamic fly-halves, Pollard was exactly the man for the occasion, nailing every kick, including a 50-metre raker in the rain to take the score to 13-9 before the hour. Eventually replaced by Manie Libbok with just over 12 minutes left.
9. Morné van den Berg – 9
Scored a fantastic try, showing strength beyond his size in an otherwise superb game. Demonstrated great control at the back of a pack that more often than not provided front-foot ball early on. After the red card he reverted to a more disciplined role, kicking from hand with accuracy and finding his runners when asked to inject spark down the line. His best-ever game in the jersey until he made way for Grant Williams on 65 minutes.
1. Boan Venter – 2
It wasn’t only his fault, but he failed to provide that South African trademark grunt in the scrum. Perhaps the Boks’ stocks in the front row aren’t as deep as we’ve come to believe. Subbed for Gerhard Steenekamp midway through the first half. Got a second bite when Steenekamp suffered a head knock, but coughed up a penalty with his first scrum back on the pitch.
2. Johan Grobbelaar – 8
Mighty on defence, and asked to carry a huge burden as his props either side changed early on. Scrummed well and was accurate from the line-out. Also contributed with 11 carries, including one line break, as well as an important steal on the ground as the game approached its end. An assured performance that enhances his reputation.
3. Zachary Porthen – 2
Struggled in the scrum and looked exposed in patches. Hooked before the 20th minute. What will that do to the young man’s confidence? Replaced by Wilco Louw.
4. Jean Kleyn – 5
Spilled the ball in a line-out after South Africa finally managed to get some possession. On the ball, in the close channels, he offered much-needed ballast. Ran out of steam on 50 minutes and was subbed for Kwagga Smith.
5. Franco Mostert – 1
For the second week in a row a South African lock was shown a red card for a high shoulder shot. Was there contact with Paolo Garbisi’s head? That will be debated in the weeks to come. There is a more pressing matter here. Springbok fans and coaches can complain about conspiracy theories and a lack of consistency, but this is clearly an issue that needs immediate redress. It’s just not good enough at this level and the players and the entire management team need to take responsibility.
6. Siya Kolisi – 7
On 25 minutes, with his team struggling, he roused his troops with some stirring words just before a scrum. This is the sort of game where a captain earns his reputation, and Kolisi did his best Braveheart impression. Not necessarily his best game in terms of carries, tackles and other metrics, but he showed great leadership. Replaced by RG Snyman early in the second half.
7. Ben-Jason Dixon – 5
Some meaty runs around the corner in his first Test in over a year. Was the unfortunate player sacrificed after Mostert’s red card, replaced by Ruan Nortje on 13 minutes. It was hard not to feel sorry for him.
8. Marco van Staden – 7.5
Scored the first try just before the half-time break. His all-round game in incredibly difficult conditions was exemplary. Yellow-carded for cynically slowing the ball down inside his own 22 with Italy pressing forward.
16. Gerhard Steenekamp – 5
One of four early switches as he left the bench to play his part in the first half. He was an immediate improvement in the front row.
17. Wilco Louw – 6
Introduced much earlier than he would have anticipated, he added some needed heft to the scrum. However, he struggled at first before steadying the ship. Not a brilliant day for South African props.
18. RG Snyman – 7
On for the skipper Kolisi four minutes into the second half. Along with Australia’s Will Skelton, he is arguably the most conspicuous forward in the game. His long levers, astonishing strength and slick skills mean he is close to a cheat code in the second row.
19. Ruan Nortje – 6
Replaced Dixon after Mostert’s red. Provided stability in the line-out.
20. Andre Esterhuizen – 8
From struggling to get a game two years ago, he has become one of the most important players in the broader Springbok squad. The number on his back has become an irrelevance. He’s simply an excellent rugby player who can seemingly do it all.
21. Kwagga Smith – 7.5
As usual, brought some dynamism off the bench with some nippy runs and absolutely smoked Garbisi late in the piece to force a Bok scrum five metres from the Italian line. If they handed out tackle-of-the-year awards, we’d already have our winner.
22. Grant Williams – 7
Came on for van den Berg on 65 minutes and did what he always does – scored a try that put a challenging game to bed when he ran a delightful support line following a Moodie break.
23. Manie Libbok – 6
Missed his first attempt to find touch from a penalty after replacing Handré Pollard. Made amends for the mistake with a lovely dink to the corner to set up Hooker’s try.
