Autumn Nations: South Africa Player Grades

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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Autumn Nations: South Africa Player Grades

The Springboks concluded their Autumn Nations campaign with a mixed bag of results, showcasing both their formidable strength and vulnerability. While they secured victories against England and Italy, they were surprisingly downed by Ireland in a nail-biting clash.

Here's a breakdown of individual performances, graded on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being exceptional:

Forwards:

• Steven Kitshoff (8.5): Dominated the scrum throughout the series, providing a solid platform for the Springboks. His workrate and set-piece dominance were instrumental in their victories.
• Frans Malherbe (7.5): A consistent performer, offering power and stability in the scrum. His impact was felt in both the set piece and open play.
• Trevor Nyakane (7): Solid contributions, particularly in the scrum, though his impact in open play was limited.
• Franco Mostert (8): A tireless worker, consistently making crucial tackles and providing valuable support in the loose. His leadership was evident throughout the series.
• Siya Kolisi (7.5): The Springbok captain led by example, demonstrating his usual blend of physicality and leadership. His impact was felt in both attack and defence.
• Pieter-Steph du Toit (8): A force of nature in the loose, Du Toit was a constant threat with his ball carrying and tackling prowess.
• Evan Roos (7.5): A promising young talent, Roos made a strong impression with his dynamism and work rate. He showcased a bright future for the Springboks.
• Kwagga Smith (7): Reliable in both attack and defence, Smith provided valuable support in the loose, but his impact was limited in the key moments.
• Jasper Wiese (7.5): A powerful ball carrier and dominant defender, Wiese was a key figure in the Springboks' victories. His impact was felt across the field.
• Malcolm Marx (7.5): A reliable hooker, Marx excelled in the lineouts and provided a strong presence in the scrum.

Backs:

• Handre Pollard (8): The veteran fly-half was in fine form, dictating play with his intelligent kicking and tactical decisions. His leadership was invaluable.
• Damian Willemse (7): Showed his versatility, playing both at fullback and fly-half. His kicking game was impressive, but his attacking contributions were limited.
• Makazole Mapimpi (6.5): A potent threat on the wing, Mapimpi lacked consistency in his finishing, but his pace and power were evident throughout the series.
• Kurt-Lee Arendse (7): A promising young talent, Arendse showcased his pace and attacking instincts, scoring crucial tries against both Italy and England.
• Jesse Kriel (7): A reliable presence in the midfield, Kriel made crucial tackles and provided solid support for the attack.
• Canan Moodie (7): Made a strong impression in his debut series, displaying his pace and running ability. His attacking flair will be a valuable asset to the Springboks moving forward.
• Jaden Hendrikse (7): A dynamic scrum-half, Hendrikse provided a spark to the Springboks attack with his quick service and ability to create opportunities.

Overall:

While the Springboks displayed moments of brilliance, inconsistency and strategic errors hampered their overall performance.

The forward pack consistently delivered, showcasing dominance in the scrum and physicality in the loose. The backline lacked cohesion at times, failing to capitalize on opportunities and struggling to find rhythm in attack.

Despite the mixed results, the Autumn Nations series provided valuable experience for the Springboks, particularly for their young players. With a mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters, the future remains bright for the South African side.