South Africa scored a deserved 34-31 win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with the scratch team taking control in the second half.
Despite being disrupted by injury withdrawals and the Butch James saga, they withstood some early pressure – trailing 14-16 at the break – to come back and dominate after the break.
A late two-try rally – scores in the 73rd and 76th minutes – saw Wales close the gap to four points.
Jan de Koning of Rugby 365 rates the Springbok players!
15 Frans Steyn:
He was the usual mixed bag, some great moments and a collection of errors. Slotted a crucial long-range penalty midway through the second half.
6/10
14 Gio Aplon:
Good debut, chased hard and did not do much wrong. Not too many chances on attack.
6/10
13 Jaque Fourie:
Again showed his value and experience, especially on defence, where he kept the big Welsh runners in check.
7/10
12 Juan de Jongh:
Awesome debut. Did nothing wrong on defence and scored a great try. Great future await this young man.
8/10
11 Odwa Ndungane:
He lasted 30-odd minutes and was injured in a ridiculously cheap shot while scoring the Boks’ first try.
5/10
10 Ruan Pienaar:
He looked more at ease in the No.10 jersey than in previous games in Green and Gold. Maybe he is growing into the role.
6/10
9 Ricky Januarie:
A real mixed bag – some good steals, strong defence and a string of silly penalties – which detracted from what was otherwise a good performance.
5/10
8 Joe van Niekerk:
Clearly enjoyed being back in the Bok fold and produced an accomplished performance.
6/10
7 Dewald Potgieter:
Showed what a great future he has ahead of him with a really strong performance.
7/10
6 François Louw:
Another class loose forward that shows the incredible depth South Africa has in this department.
6/10
5 Victor Matfield:
Still the world’s premier line-out forward. Looked a little jaded in the second half.
6/10
4 Danie Rossouw:
Masterful performance, certainly his best-ever showing as a Bok lock – strong carriers and good defence. Incredible workrate.
8/10
3 BJ Botha:
Was penalised early in the game at the scrums – but there were a number of strange calls by the referee. Became more forceful as the game wore on.
6/10
2 John Smit (captain):
Another accomplished performance, but spoiled his day by throwing a silly intercept pass.
5/10
1 CJ van der Linde:
Really strong in the scrums and a rock on defence. Showed how much he has gained from playing in Ireland.
7/10
Replacements:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle (on for van der Linde, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Jannie du Plessis (on got Botha, 58th min):
Continued the strong work in the scrum and did not shirk his duties outside the set pieces.
6/10
18 Alistair Hargreaves (on for Rossouw, 76th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
19 Ryan Kankowski (on for Potgieter, 56th min):
Worked hard on defence and had one decent run.
6/10
20 Meyer Bosman:
Not used.
21 Zane Kirchner (on for Steyn, 76th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Bjorn Basson (on for Ndungane, 34th min):
Very satisfactory debut. Some really good chasing and stood strong on defence.
6/10
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Who was the official man of the match, did not watch the post match interviews 🙁
What is with giving guys Caps in the 76th minute? 😕
I’m glad for hargreaves getting a Bok Cap, but he will not get another until after the RWC unless we rest players in some other test in 2011 or we rest players against Italy. 🙁
DAMN GOOD PLAYER AND I RATE HIM, but nobody should get a Bok cap just because he is in the squad.
😕 ❓ Is it only me or is our Captain not what he always is
and given the PK to F steyn instead of Ruan then i think our score would of been much higher if i’m right Ruan missed 2 PK did he not correct me if i’m wrong please 😕
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : BLUE BULL 😕 and maybe they thought they were doing sth good but why did FS go of 😕 ❓
Zane Definitely deserves to be rated! – Minus 5! Ricky January also way over rated..sorry but the bad just outways the the good by at least 3 to 1, and puts the entire team under way too much pressure. Pottas had to do the Menchanics work for him a couple of times – he is so slow.
Typical PDV game plan of helter skelter, only when they got back to basics did they score points instead of give them away.
But for a team that has only been together 5 days, not too bad.
Weldone Bokke!.
SHould have taken off January, moved Ruan to 9, Frans to 10 and then Zane in at 15.
@chaz (Comment 4) : Really really having to bite my tongue in giving a replay…but it does have PDV and idiot in the same sentence.
Surely with FDP out the rest of the season it makes sense to put Ruan in at 9? PDV can’t realy be seriously considering putting the Mechanic in there against OZ and NZ…we will get slaughtered!
GO RICKY ! GO PDV !
@Charlie (Comment 9) : 😈
GO BOKKE !!!
@Just a Fan (Comment 7) :
Baby Boks won 40-14
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Whoo hoo – spent ages looking for a feed for that game…no joy. How did our Lambie do?
It wasn’t on tv. Details are still sketchy
well done to the boks under difficult circumstances. It shows the depth in SA rugby
Well done to Bok Rugby 🙂
Lambo scored a try and succeeded with all 8 of his kicks. 25 points in total
@Just a Fan (Comment 6) : Zane should not have come on if you ask me. 🙄
Pdivvie should not have thrown in so many substitutes.
@Charlie (Comment 1) : they did not show – i was wondering the same. would not be surprised if it was a Welsh player.
@chaz (Comment 3) : ruan missed 1 conversion only. difficult one. I really do not think that Steyn is a better kicker.
Steyn only kicked one penalty last night. I actually thought that it was within Ruan’s range.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : well done 😛
Danie Rossouw was given Man of the Match
@robdylan (Comment 23) : He deserved it.Why is everyone on Rickis case, he had a very decent game.
Thought so too. I thought the only disaster was crusty zane
eish zane
GO RICKY, JUST DO IT !!!
Good news that ukzn are playing varsity shield next year!
@RuckingFun (Comment 28) : where did you hear that? is that varsity cup or shield though?
@war1 (Comment 29) : I’ll put up a story about it later this evening
can,t believe someone posted f steyn should have been put at flyhalf ,he hasn,t had an extened run at flyhalf but from whats been seen of him at flyhalf he doesn,t have the vision and mentality for it leave him at fullback to gain ground kicking ,they all need to give on ruan playing flyhalf just let the guy play scrumhalf ,pdv is a idiot
zvision10
That idiot just happens to have a very decent record as Bok coach!!
@wpw (Comment 32) : Whether they like it or not, the haters must just look at the record and be quiet.
I find it very hard to make up my mind about this game but it’s great to come away with a win….I was worried after we went 16-3 down but we pulled through nicely…b.t.w. I rate the referee a very lucky 1 out of 10
@Charlie (Comment 1) : They didn’t show the post match interviews… stadium announcement said that Danie Rossouw was named as MOTM though.
@SandTiger (Comment 35) : Danie Rossouw had a huge game…he really deserved MOTM
@Pokkel (Comment 34) : considering that there were quite a few first caps and the combinations a bit rusty I think it was a good game. But pity about this last Wales try, which made it too close at the end.
It was actually a tight game so PDivvy should not throw substitites at the end.
@rekinek (Comment 37) : but I guess having 10 points difference with 5 min to go he thought why not give guys a go.
@rekinek (Comment 37) : I actually thought PDivvy miss-read the entire game… it was balanced on a knife edge at the end because of that. Only obvious that he would bring on the subs at the wrong time. What pulled us through was guts and determination from players who wanted to grab the chance given to them.
I like Hargreaves but I think he is lucky to have been capped for the Boks. If we look at the talent SA has at lock Hargeaves is probably not in the top 6 locks in SA behind Matfield, Bakkies Danie, Bekker, Sykes, Flip vd Merwe, Anton van Zyl?? , Fondse??
I hope he proves to us in future that he deserves his place. Maybe PdV sees something I haven’t? Come-on Hargreaves prove he wrong!!! 😎
@Pokkel (Comment 40) : he is solid. Does the basics. Maybe this is it. You do not need to score the tries at lock.
@SandTiger (Comment 39) : Yip – maybe he was listening to Dicky 🙄
I used 2 like pdv but if u look at the things his doin they are stupid ,johnsmit ,victor matifield and alot of other boks should be rested their not 20 anymore and if john smit were to get injured even though his not playin his best it b a huge leadership void and we,ve seen the boks fall apart when his not captain the world cup is next year at some point these guys are going to hit a wall if there not rested ,and at some point pdv have to give up on making ruan pienaar a flyhalf he just wants to play scrumhalf It,s one thing to like someone but when there doing stupid things their doing stupid things
zvision
The team needs Ruan at 10. No player is bigger than the team!!
@wpw (Comment 44) : this might have been the case on Sat. But once Steyn is available, don’t you think Ruan would make a better scrummy than Ricky. Plus what about Grant getting a chance – don’t you think he should.
Very interesting win from the Bok !
Agree with most of the ratings only ones than i look slightly sideways at as a neutral are Rossouw and de Jong.
I thought Roberts absolutely steam rolled de Jong and constantly put Wales on the front foot. I think that physical side of the game will be adopted against de Jong….with success.
I was shocked that Roussouw received MOTM, he turned over the ball far too much for me, however he definitely had more in the tank than Matfield that may have made him look better.
You have to worry for everyone when SA are at full strength.
Yeah I agree rekki!! Ruan should start at 9 now that FDP is out injured!!
As for Grant, he definitely deserves a shot or at least to be involved with the Boks!!
What I’m looking forward to seeing is who will start at 12 against France. Will it be De Jongh or Olivier?? 😀
@wpw (Comment 47) : DE JONGH!!!!! He’s better than He-Man Olivier
I just heard a brilliant suggestion….remember how that rasta man messed up the SA national anthem last year?? He suggests that Jack Parrow sings the French National Anthem ‘La Marseillaise’. 😆 😆 That should seal the game for the Boks
@Pokkel (Comment 40) : agree
@Just a Fan (Comment 5) : I`m with you there. It took Crusty about 20 seconds to concede a try!
Ricky Mac D I`m not so sure . . I thought he had a pretty decent game.
Prediction : Steyn to start at 10 this weekend, Ricky 9 and Ruan on the bench . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 51) : for a second there I thought you suggested that Frans plays 10 and I nearly developed an ulser but I assume you refereing to Morne. It would be interesting to see how Morne performs without Fourie on his inside?
Oh I can think of plenty of things to put inside Morne, but if knives and bullets are out of the question lets punish him with Ricky Mac D 😈
@Original Pierre (Comment 53) : Jy’s kwaai vandag 🙄
@Just a Fan (Comment 5) : I’m completely and utterly horrified!!!
Zane Kirchner was on the field for 4 min and nearly cost us the game with that glorious fumble of his at the end and now I’ve seen on news24 that the idiot has been included in the 27 man bok squad at the expense of Frans Steyn, who might not have had the best of games, but he certainly didn’t mess up at the back!!
@MB1810 (Comment 55) : Give him enough rope
@MB1810 (Comment 55) : makes two of us! And again we persist with Chillibush
What is it with some of you calling certain players (as well as the coach) idiots??
I am pretty sure Zane did not fumble the ball on purpose and he sure as hell didn’t select himself!!
Some perspective here people, would you have made that same comment if it was Lambie or Ludick who knocked the ball on?? Sheesh! 🙄
@wpw (Comment 58) : Love it when you make a point or two on my behalf – thanks. 😉
Ricky and Chilliboy….as certain as death and taxes
@wpw (Comment 58) : point taken, but on performance the best player wasn’t picked and unfortunately the selection policies aren’t making any more sense either… That said, Steyn deserves the rest. Let Zane play – its not like he’s going to tell the coach, “hey sorry, I don’t think I deserve being here anymore”
@SandTiger (Comment 61) : PdV and Fransie better sort out their [email protected] before next years RWC. His boot could prove the differance between winning and losing like in last years Tri Nations.
@Pokkel (Comment 62) : Couldn’t agree more…
SandTiger
I agree re: Chilli and to a certain extent Januarie.
I believe we should support the team irrespective of who is selected as every single Bok coach has his favourites which at times doesn’t make sense.
Remember how Jake selected Andre Snyman on the wing??
He also persisted with Jacques Cronje when it was obvious there were better players available…
@wpw (Comment 64) : I recon Hargreaves also falls in that catagory…a definate PdV favourite.
@wpw (Comment 64) : To me that’s the whole thing about supporting. You don’t have to agree with the selections, you can be vocal about them as much as you like, but come game day – or a conversation with a Welshman, Aussie or Englishman – you need to be rock solid behind the team and the players.
I have never been a fan of Witrot aka Dewald Potgieter – and believe me there has to be better players at the moment – but he played like he wanted to be there.
As for Gio and de Jongh… they have the potential of being crowd favourites just because of their underdog status and the fact that they are capable of moment of brilliance.
@SandTiger (Comment 66) : I would have had Deysel there instead of Pottie against the French
@Pokkel (Comment 49) : that was very bad indeed he really made a foul out of himself agree let him sing and we win as long as he doen’t sing our Anthem 😕
I see Grant is not in the squad and neither is Vermeulen.
What more do they have to do to be selected??
@Pokkel (Comment 65) : See now Hargreaves is an anomaly… He has great future potential BUT unlike the potential of a backline player, the potential of a forward needs to be worked on through hard slogging in the trenches… Its hard upfront.
Hargreaves is being bled in… slowly. He’s 24. Smit wa 22 when he played his first test, Matfield was 24… see where this is going?
@Pokkel (Comment 60) : i’m glad i’m not the only one asked myself why are they in the team 🙄 Pdv and then if he loves them so much why is Rose not in
eeeee 🙄
@wpw (Comment 69) : I can’t agree more regarding Grant! Put him in a Sharks jersey any day!
@SandTiger (Comment 70) : Ja…maybe…. let’s see 😉 but what about poor old Sykes. Selected on the Bok bench but never capped and has been playing consistantly good rugby for a couple of years now. I recon he deserves a Bok cap more than Hargeaves
Was I imagining things, but to me it seemed as if Frans Steyn was not too keen on putting his body on the line to secure loose ball.
@chaz (Comment 68) :I suppose you can call that some sort of unfair or illegal sports act.. 😉
Waylon Murray has left the Sharks and will join the Lions with immediate effect.
http://www.keo.co.za
@SandTiger (Comment 76) : Good for him. I hope he can regain some of his old form with the Lions…..now if the Lions can send over Doppies and Walter it would be much appreciated 😉
Doppies???? nnnnnooooooooo! Years ago we had a flyhalf called Luke Smith, remember him? Good kicker, but not much in the upstairs department… Doppies is a workhorse, not a centre with a lot in the upstairs department… lets hope for a player like Jean de Villiers 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 77) : Murray never recovered his form, seems too scared to play…pity, I had high expectations of him a few years back..
@Ice (Comment 79) : I also did but this again proves my point…a 13 is only as good as his 12 allows him to be. Losing Barrit wasn’t only bad for the Sharks but also for Murray.
Do you guys remember the try he scored against the Blues in 2007 S14??
I think Barrit played a role but Waylon lost a lot of confidence in himself imo.
He is still young so hopefully he can still reach his potential…
@MB1810 (Comment 55) : LOL why do you even act surprised? We knew this would happen.
@SandTiger (Comment 76) : I wonder how much more insurance he now has to pay . . . in gangsters paradise
I hope he can regain his form. Maybe all he needs is Dick backing and guiding him.
Any french flyhalves or centres coming to SA that`s worth signing for the CC?????
@Original Pierre (Comment 82) : None… he shouldn’t fear what he knows so well 😎
@Original Pierre (Comment 84) : One comes to mind…David Skrela
Urm so according to IOL, Butch has been included in the squad for this weekend as well? Here we go again . . .
Also it seems Snorre had some derogatory comments regarding Steyn ( our French boy Pokkel ), how can he say anything negative about Steyn when Crusty almost cost us a victory the second he ” Cart Wheeled ” on to the field 🙄
@Ice (Comment 79) : Will the snoils ever get their bounce back 😕
well one of these days well have snoils skrahs team well hv to use of that shopping spree to get all new players 😆
What the heck are Pdivvy and his cronnies thinking?
How can they leave out Frans Steyn, allegedly for his lack of Super 14 gametime, but then include Chilliboy & Januarie who’ve had zero to no Super 14 gametime???
And then he leaves out Francios Hougaard… who surely had a better Super 14 than Basson??
And he’s selected 3 Inside centres, but only one outside centre?
And still no Jean Deysel or Peter Grant… eish!!!
(PS: I’m talking about the new squad that’s just been announced)
…
@CS (Comment 89) : this is the 1st time i’ve heard of you and my 1 star already
but agree with you F STeyn needs time to get used to his team and me think he didn’t have a good game but watch the next game and why bring in the chilli January is behond me, i’m a shark and i think F Hougaard had a great semi & Final games 😕 ❗ 😉
@CS (Comment 90) : who is the new squad ❓
Maybe Rob will have the new thread on by 2 morrow 😕 🙂
@CS (Comment 91) : Now me a dum blond what is — ❓ 😉
GO SA GO 
Francois Hougaard is injured and will be out for at least a month!!
@wpw (Comment 95) : well then me missed a lot 🙄
@chaz (Comment 93) : Springbok squad – Zane Kirchner, Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Wynand Olivier, Juan de Jongh, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Dewald Potgieter, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha, Flip van der Merwe, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield, Alistair Hargreaves, BJ Botha, John Smit (c), Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Gurtho Steenkamp.
Using Pdv’s logic… “The overseas based players are off the boil due to lack of Super 14 game-time.” I’m guessing then the entire French squad will be off the boil next weekend? Should be an easy weekend… 🙄
@chaz (Comment 94) : I made a comment that was perhaps too strong with regard to “politcial undertones” and thought better of it at the last minute. I got scared when I saw Wes was on duty
@wpw (Comment 95) : Is he still injured… poor lad. I guess he, Fourie DuPreez and Andries Bekker are all paying the price for carrying injuries for their Super 14 franchises. 🙁
@CS (Comment 97) : where is F Steyn 👿
@CS (Comment 97) : i see old Butchie is playing i just hope this Januarie and chillie arn’t in the WC unless they pic up their game 😕
@chaz (Comment 102) : Januarie is a mechanic, or course he will be there…
@lostfish (Comment 103) : maybe 😕
it is true the team is bigger than the player but if a player doesn,t want to play in a position and u keep jerking him around he moves to ireland because his discontent if ruan pienaar was given an extended run at scrumhalf he,d b on the same level as fourie dupreez and he hasn,t really adapted to flyhalf well enough to really justify selecting him infront of morne steyn or peter grant
@wpw (Comment 58) :
The assessment of Zane as an idiot, is not just made on his 4 minutes of utter disaster, he’s a predictable player who I just do not rate at all. He reminds me of his predecessor Johan Botha. He does the job for the Bulls at Curry Cup level and at Super 14 level, but has been in my opinion unable to make the step up thus far. As things stand I think he’s being rated the best fullback simply due to a lack of general talent in the position. Sure there are guys like Lambie – who’s “up and coming”, but you still need someone solid at the back with preferebly a bit more experience than Lambie – and unfortunately the only guy in SA that fits that bill is Kirchner, sometimes having a guy like Percy Montgomery completely sucks, him retiring left a massive hole at the back and most our options there just don’t fill the gap.
Perhaps “Idiot” was the wrong word – “talentless with a bad afro”, would have been a better description……