South Africa player ratings vs England from their second match of the Autumn Nations Series at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
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England’s search for a win in the Autumn Nations Series continues, despite a valiant showing in their 29-20 defeat to South Africa. England ignited the evening with a try after just three minutes, as Marcus Smith set off on a searching run. The Harlequin slipped the tackle of Eben Etzebeth and Ox Nche, before Henry Slade shipped a pass to Ollie Sleightholme, for a try in the corner.
However, the Springboks soon returned fire, as some individual brilliance from Grant Williams turned Freddie Steward inside out for the equalizing try after 12 minutes. South Africa then grabbed their second try, as their titanic forwards Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit charged down two consecutive England clearance kicks. Du Toit was quickest to react, and grounded the ball that had rolled over the try-line. Manie Libbok then stepped up for the Boks third try, as his cross-field kick found Cheslin Kolbe, and the wing skipped past Steward and then scampered over the whitewash.
Sam Underhill shone on his own return to England colours, as the back row battered his way through Bongi Mbonambi for a try mid-way through the first half. Some neat place kicking of Marcus Smith narrowed the deficit to just two points, and the teams split for half-time with the score-line reading 19-17 to South Africa.
Two tries were disallowed early in the second half, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Henry Slade both seeing their names scrubbed off the score-sheet. Kolbe would race away for his second try just after the hour mark, as he turned Ollie Sleightholme on his heels before the dive over the line. Gerhard Steenekamp was sent to the sin bin, as the replacement Springbok prop was illegally interfering in the line-out.
Scroll down to see our South Africa player ratings vs England.
England: 20
- Tries: Ollie Sleightholme (03′), Sam Underhill (25′)
- Cons: Marcus Smith (04′, 26′)
- Pens: Marcus Smith( 15′, 51′)
South Africa: 29
- Tries: Grant Williams (10′), Pieter-Steph du Toit (16′), Cheslin Kolbe (21′, 62′)
- Cons: Manie Libbok (11′, 22′), Handre Pollard (63′)
- Pens: Handre Pollard( 58′)
South Africa player ratings vs England:
15 Aphelele Fassi – 6
Fassi was the quietest of a lively South African back three. England’s gameplay targeted him in the skies and he struggled up against their bigger fielders. Contributed well at times to the Springbok attack, but will hope for better days.
14 Cheslin Kolbe – 9
The best player on the pitch. Kolbe started poorly with two sliced clearances and England crossing for a try on his wing, but the winger grew into the game incredibly. 3 line breaks and 2 tries. That says it all. His tries were taken beautifully, stepping off his right foot twice. Kolbe was also brilliant in the air, showing a well rounded kicking game too. A superb performance from the Springbok.
13 Jesse Kriel – 7
Kriel didn’t have one of the most eye-catching games in attack, but England struggled to get anything through the South African centre channel. A now expected, solid game from the outside centre.
12 Damian de Allende – 7.5
Similar to his centre partner, de Allende wasn’t relied upon much. A good defensive showing, mixed with some usual brilliant carrying into contact, and setting Kolbe up for his second, sees the ex Munster man earn a 7.5.
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7.5
Arendse was unlucky not to cross for a try early into the second half with a pass judged to have gone forward. Alike Kolbe, the winger flourished in the air and fronted up in defence. A really good performance.
10 Manie Libbok – 7
Libbok is one of those players. You can’t tell whether or not he’s brilliant. The out half started poorly with some awful kicking from hand, however he grew into the game. The South African’s won multiple kick restarts, and he nailed a cross field kick to Cheslin Kolbe for his first try. Overall, Manie Libbok had a good showing.
9 Grant Williams – 8.5
Williams scored the South African’s first try with an electric break. He brought this spark to his whole game, playing quickly and keeping the English defence honest. Coupled with some decent variation in his box kicks, Williams had a superb showing.
8 Jasper Wiese – 7
Wiese, as English fans know, is a superb ball carrier. He illustrated this well alongside some dominant tackling. Won a superb turnover penalty in the first half, deservedly receives a 7.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 8.5
Perhaps a forwards choice for man of the match, the flanker was a constant thorn to the English rose. 9 carries and tackles were complimented by a superb defensive line out game in which he was a nuisance. du Toit took his try excellently showing determination to chase a charge down. Arguably should’ve received a sin bin for persistent infringements but that shows why he’s one of the best.
6 Siya Kolisi (c) – 8
Kolisi is never the flashiest player. A casual fan would’ve thought he was average or standard, but the stats don’t lie. The captain completed the most tackles (14) while also the most dominant tackles (3). The usual humble yet brilliant performance from Siya.
5 RG Snyman – 8
Snyman had a starting opportunity and was clearly keen to take his chance. A brilliant showing alongside his lock counterpart, Etzebeth. The Leinster man was great in the loose with 3 offloads and some physical carrying. The South African line out was brilliant in the first half, with the lock a central part.
4 Eben Etzebeth – 8
Bokke fans may think they’ve found a new lock partnership. Etzebeth complimented Snyman as well as Snyman did Eben. A usual dogged and determined performance from the Sharks man. Etzebeth was a constant pressure at the ruck, with a charge down leading to a Springbok try. Alongside this he interchanged with du Toit and Snyman as the South African lineout jumper, a role he excelled at.
3 Wilco Louw – 6
Louw was back in the Springbok frame and played well. The scrum was strong while he was on the pitch and when required he returned to the pitch as a front row was needed. Made a poor mistake for Sam Underhill’s try, however had a solid performance.
2 Bongi Mbonambi – 7
Mbonambi oversaw some risky but rewarding lineout darts before being withdrawn. The South African line out and scrum was excellent while he was on the pitch.
1 Ox Nche -6
Ox Nche only played a half hour before withdrawing with injury. His scrummaging was clearly missed as the game worn on.
Replacements
16 Malcolm Marx – 7
The South African line out became worse after Marx’s introduction, however it was arguably a trade off for his effectiveness in open play. Marx was great in and around the ruck and offered a carrying threat for the South African’s.
17 Gerhard Steenekamp – 7
Steenekamp was the unfortunate player to receive a sin bin after multiple referee warnings. Other than this he played well, after entering the fray earlier than expected. More will be expected from him in the scrum if The Ox’s injury is serious.
18 Vincent Koch – 7.5
Koch was a menace in the ruck upon his introduction. Stopped English quick ball on multiple occasions while also winning two vital turnover penalties.
19 Elrigh Louw – 6
Louw did the basics well in his 20 minute cameo, but struggled to effect the game as the contest faded out.
20 Kwagga Smith – 6
Smith was similar to Louw in his efforts.
21 Cobus Reinach – 7
Reinach brought a real urgency to his own game when introduced. Made a great tackle on Itoje which lead to a turnover, before winning a turnover of his own. A really pleasing closing performance from the sub 9.
22 Handré Pollard – 7.5
Pollard in a role we’ve seen times before, closing out the game as a contest. The outhalf did this very well, nailing a 50m penalty as well as a sideline conversion to make it a two score game.
23 Lukhanyo Am – N/a
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