Bok Player Ratings: Winners and losers in defeat to the All Blacks
by Dustin Wetdewich · KickOffThe Springboks delivered a performance of brutal scrum dominance and tireless work rate against the All Blacks, but costly yellow cards and disrupted backline combinations prevented them from turning territorial pressure into a commanding victory.
Our player ratings reveal a tale of forward brutality undermined by moments of indiscipline that gifted New Zealand opportunities they simply shouldn’t have been handed.
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Ox Nche and Wilco Louw put the All Blacks under enormous pressure at scrum time, while Paul de Villiers covered every blade of grass with his tireless work rate. Centurion Damian de Allende celebrated his 100th Test cap by consistently winning the gain line when he carried the ball.
But yellow cards to Cobus Reinach and Marco van Staden disrupted momentum at crucial moments, while Kurt-Lee Arendse’s early HIA departure also forced a reshuffle in the backline.
This was a match the Springboks could have controlled more emphatically. The ratings tell you why they didn’t.
Front-row brutality: Nche and Louw dominate
Ox Nche (8/10) was simply too strong for New Zealand in the scrum. The Springbok prop put his opposite number under serious pressure, providing a rock-solid platform that allowed South Africa to build attacking momentum and relieve defensive pressure whenever required.
But Nche’s contribution extended far beyond set-piece work – he carried well into contact, made important tackles, and showed the kind of work rate that separates good props from great ones.
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On the other side of the front row, Wilco Louw (8/10) delivered an equally commanding performance. The All Blacks struggled to deal with him at scrum time, with their tighthead struggling to contain Louw’s power and technique throughout.
When your starting props both rate 8/10 for set-piece dominance, you know you’ve won a significant physical battle up front.
Malcolm Marx (7/10) completed a formidable front-row performance by delivering crucial turnovers at the breakdown, winning vital possession in moments when New Zealand threatened to build attacking pressure.
He did knock on when a maul try looked certain, however.
The workhorses: De Villiers, De Allende and Kolbe
Paul de Villiers (8/10) produced the kind of performance that often goes unnoticed by casual observers but is absolutely cherished by coaches.
His work rate was immense – tackles all over the park, carries when needed and defensive sets completed with unwavering commitment. This was selfless, tireless rugby that provided a platform for others to shine.
And shine they did. Damian de Allende (8/10) celebrated his 100th Test cap in vintage fashion, consistently crossing the gain line when he carried the ball.
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That’s not hyperbole – that’s the kind of dominance in contact that defines world-class inside centres. De Allende’s physicality and ball-carrying prowess gave South Africa front-foot ball repeatedly, and his milestone Test deserved this kind of performance.
Out wide, Cheslin Kolbe (8/10) delivered a complete display. Good under the high ball, he grabbed every scrap of possession, showed excellent defensive line speed and maintained the kind of high work rate that makes him one of world rugby’s most dangerous weapons.
Kolbe wasn’t just a finisher on Saturday – he was a workhorse who happened to possess electric pace.
Mixed performances and forced disruptions
Not everyone enjoyed such productive afternoons. Ruan Nortje (6/10) had a mixed outing – doing well in the lineout and winning crucial ball, but missing a critical tackle that nearly proved catastrophically costly.
At Test level, those moments define performances, and Nortje’s good work couldn’t quite outweigh that defensive lapse.
Grant Williams (6/10) provided decent service from the base but was guilty of a few poor kicks that cost territory and momentum. Functional rather than spectacular, Williams did his core job adequately without ever stamping his authority on proceedings.
The disruption caused by Kurt-Lee Arendse’s early HIA departure had a ripple effect throughout the backline.
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Jesse Kriel (6/10) had to deal with the reshuffle caused by Arendse’s departure but continued to provide a physical presence in the outside channel. It wasn’t an easy night for the Bok backline as combinations were disrupted, but Kriel’s performance was solid enough.
Jasper Wiese (8/10) delivered important turnovers, carried well and tackled effectively, but was guilty of a silly mistake when he ran into teammate Damian Willemse, disrupting an attacking opportunity.
Good overall, but that error cost him a higher rating.
Discipline disasters cost momentum
The most damaging aspect of South Africa’s performance came in the second half, when two yellow cards undermined the pressure the Boks had built.
Cobus Reinach (4/10) made a poor decision that resulted in a yellow card, putting his team under unnecessary pressure at a crucial stage of the match.
At Test level, that kind of indiscipline is simply unacceptable.
Marco van Staden (4/10) followed suit with another yellow card for a disciplinary breach. When your team needs composure and experience from the bench, two yellow cards in quick succession is the last thing any coach wants to see.
Zachary Porthen (5/10) also struggled after his introduction, particularly at scrum time, and was unable to maintain the dominance established by Ox Nche.
It was a disappointing cameo that highlighted the challenge of maintaining set-piece pressure once the starting front row departed.
Other positives
Not all the replacements disappointed. Andre Esterhuizen (7.5/10) made an immediate impact, running good lines, scoring a try and showing his class when given space to operate.
His power and footwork created problems for tiring All Blacks defenders, and his try was a reward for intelligent running and clinical finishing.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (7.5/10) continued to impress at flyhalf, showing good defence and attacking the line with purpose and intent. His maturity in such a big Test match bodes well for the Springboks’ future.
Damian Willemse (7/10) was solid under the high ball at fullback, providing the security and positional awareness required from the last line of defence.
The verdict
The Springboks’ forward dominance, particularly in the scrum where Nche and Louw put the All Blacks under serious pressure, provided a platform for victory.
Tireless performances from De Villiers, a centurion’s masterclass from De Allende and Kolbe’s all-round excellence gave South Africa genuine quality across the park.
But two yellow cards and the disruption caused by Arendse’s early departure prevented the Boks from converting periods of territorial pressure into a commanding scoreline.
At Test level against New Zealand, those margins matter enormously.
The ratings tell the story: when South Africa built pressure, they looked capable of hurting the All Blacks. When discipline wavered and opportunities were squandered, New Zealand made them pay.
Against the All Blacks, you can’t afford either.