Sport

Springboks report card in second Ireland Test

Staff Reporter|Published

Ox Nche of the Springboks during the 2024 Castle Lager Incoming Series game between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa on 13 July 2024. Picture: Gerhard Duraan, BackpagePix

THIS is how individual Bok performed against Ireland on Saturday in their narrow 24-25 defeat in the second Test in Durban.

15 Willie le Roux: Off after only a couple of minutes with a head injury.

14 Cheslin Kolbe (6): Looked for some action, but the way the Boks struggled in the first half there was little. Defended well when called upon.

13 Jesse Kriel (6): Some strong carries and good runs when he had the ball. Didn’t shy away from contact but a quiet game after last week.

12 Damian de Allende (5): Second Test where he couldn’t really get going. Had good carries but not like he is known for. Defended well.

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (6): He looked sharp every time he had a touch of the ball, but little chance on the attack. Didn't shy away from the contact on defence.

10 Handre Pollard (7): A better display with the kicking boot. Taking all the points off the tee, unlike last weekend. Needs to get better on attack.

9 Faf de Klerk (4): Baffling how he decided to grubber a few metres from the try line. Slow behind the rucks and couldn’t get the backline going.

8 Kwagga Smith (7): His engine just kept going and there was no stopping. He put it all on the line, but will be unhappy with that penalty he conceded for points.

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (7): Worked tirelessly as usual and put his body on the line. But he also conceded a silly penalty that cost the Boks points.

6 Siya Kolisi (6): Such a good carrier and he gets the ball over the gain line. A little quieter than last weekend.

5 Franco Mostert (5): Started solidly, but left the field early with an injury

4 Eben Etzebeth (8): He bled and bled again for the Springboks and didn’t want to go off late in the game. Massive carries and tackles in a losing cause.

3 Frans Malherbe (6): Solid in the scrums and kept his side of it steady to allow Ox Nche to work the loosehead side. Some strong carries too.

2 Bongi Mbonambi (5): Missed his lineout jumpers on numerous occasions and it cost the Boks momentum. Strong work defensively as usual.

1 Ox Nche (9): Massive scrums won some good penalties for points. Carried the ball well, popped up all over the park and made some solid tackles too.

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx (6): Came on and made a difference in the lineout and breakdown.

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (6): Picked up the scrum effort where Nche left it off. Good outing.

18 Vincent Koch (5): Strong in the scrums but that penalty off the lineout steal was costly.

19 Salmaan Moerat: Unused as a substitute.

20 RG Snyman (7): It’s his play with the ball in hand that brings something different off the bench. Excelled.

21 Marco van Staden (5): Good work in defence, especially when the Boks held up a quick tap, but that knock-on.

22 Grant Williams (8): Showed why he must start ahead of De Klerk. Sped up the game tremendously and had some solid defensive efforts.

23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (7): A very good outing on the attack for the youngster with great runs. Struggled under the high balls, and made some kicking errors late on.

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