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Springbok player ratings from 2023 Rugby World Cup
Who do you think we've rated as the best of the best in France — Ox Nche, Pieter-Steph du Toit or Handre Pollard?
Ox Nche was a standout player for the Springboks in France. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
It’s just over a week ago that the Springboks beat the All Blacks 12-11 to win the Rugby World Cup in France to become the first four-time champions, and second back-to-back winners, after also winning in Japan in 2019.
In the tournament, the Boks beat Scotland, Romania and Tonga in their pool, but lost to Ireland. In the knockout stages the Boks beat France and England in the quarters and semis respectively, and the All Blacks in the final.
Here’s how we rated the players’ performances over the whole World Cup, out of 10.
Willie le Roux 6: The veteran fullback was mainly used as an impact player from off the bench, but started against Romania and Tonga. While he had some solid moments, like the tries he scored against Romania and Tonga and the good passes he made, he also made a number of basic handling errors, and looked past his best form.
Damian Willemse 7: He was the preferred option at fullback and didn’t disappoint — much like his celebrating since the team’s arrival back in South Africa. Was solid for the most part, competed well in the air, tackled strongly and kicked well from the back. He also brought all his attacking tricks to the tournament when the occasion allowed it.
Cheslin Kolbe 8: He was arguably one of the Boks’ stars of the tournament. He struggled somewhat against England in the air, but otherwise competed well throughout the tournament, ran hard at the opposition and put his body on the line in defence. He scored some great tries and his charge down of a conversion against France was a potential match-winning moment.
Makazole Mapimpi 6: One of the real stars of the 2019 tournament only featured against Romania and Tonga before injury ended his tournament. He was in sublime form against Romania, scoring a hat-trick of tries and assisting a few others. He didn’t finish the game against Tonga, but played his part in the team’s win and ultimate success.
Kurt-Lee Arendse 7: The Bulls man was the surprise first choice in the No 14 jersey and enjoyed a memorable World Cup. Like Kolbe, found the going tough at times against England, but jumped high for balls in his other matches. He scored some excellent tries, he was solid defensively and prevented a certain try in the final with a great tackle in the corner.
Canan Moodie 6: One of the rising stars of SA rugby got only two opportunities to show off his abilities, and that at 13. He was sound against Romania and Tonga, without doing anything particularly special. Tackled well and had few attacking chances, though he scored a good try against Tonga.
Jesse Kriel 7: He took over at No 13 and enjoyed a World Cup to remember. He hardly put a foot wrong. Though he didn’t get many chances on attack, he was a huge presence in midfield, especially against France, where he also found space with an excellent kick for Kolbe to score a try. Sound in defence in a tight final.
Andre Esterhuizen 7: The big centre must have been close to playing in the “big” games such was his form. He was a big presence in attack, often carrying over the gainline, and in defence in the wins against Romania and Tonga. At just 29, his big moment might still come at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Damian de Allende 8: The experienced No 12 hung onto the inside centre position in the “big” games and was massive in every aspect. De Allende carried strongly as a close receiver, making plenty of metres, while his defensive work was again very sound. He scored an important try against France in the quarter-finals.
Manie Libbok 7: He enjoyed a solid first World Cup. He brought plenty to the team as an attacking player, with his kick-pass for Arendse’s try against Scotland a real gem. And while there were no issues with his defence and kicking out of hand, his up-and-down goal-kicking was a problem. He’ll rue the missed kicks at goal against Ireland especially.
Handre Pollard 8: He returned to the set-up as an injury call-up and could not have done better. Started against Tonga with a solid outing and then performed superbly from off the bench against France and England, kicking all his shots at goal. He wore the No 10 jersey in the final and kicked all four penalties in a superb all-round outing.
Faf de Klerk 7: The experienced No 9 enjoyed a good World Cup. His service was solid, his box kicking decent and he even had a few shots at goal, converting an important touchline kick against Scotland. He left his best for last, in the final, where his kicking and rush defence upset the All Blacks, contributing to a thrilling win.
Cobus Reinach 7: He somewhat surprisingly became the Boks’ first choice No 9 midway through the tournament, perhaps due to his scoring of three tries against Romania. He also scored a nice try against Tonga. His kicking and service was generally spot on and slick, while his X-factor made him a big threat.
Grant Williams 7: The scrumhalf-turned-winger enjoyed some memorable moments, though his chances to play, and show what he can do, were few. He brought energy and a spark to the games he played in, and scored two nice tries against Romania. One’s got to wonder where he will settle in future?
Jaden Hendrikse 5: The Sharks man also didn’t get many opportunities. He came off the bench against Romania and Tonga and looked lively and energised to be part of the action, but had little chance to make an impact on play. It’s still a mystery why the Boks took four scrumhalves to the World Cup.
Duane Vermeulen 7: The veteran eighthman didn’t put a foot wrong and was solid in all departments, though he wasn’t nearly as influential as he was in 2019. He carried strongly, tackled hard and was a big presence at the breakdowns and took over the “first-choice” No 8 jersey from Jasper Wiese in the latter stages of the tournament.
Jasper Wiese 6: He started the tournament as the preferred option at eighthman and played well, without getting a big tick behind his name. Carried strongly, tackled hard and did his bit … his biggest contribution was carrying the ball from the scrum in the dying seconds of the final against New Zealand.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 9: He started with an all-round powerful, hard-working performance against Scotland, which included a try, and while he struggled to get going against France, returned with a bang in the semi-final and final. He tackled everything and anything that moved, played his part in the scrumming success … man of the match in final. Huge!
Marco van Staden 6: He was used mainly as a support player and fulfilled the role of emergency hooker. His only start, as a flank, was against Romania, where he also played hooker for a bit. Featured off the bench against Ireland and Tonga, and then not again, in the knockouts … but he’s a World Cup winner.
Kwagga Smith 8: The little flanker was one of the big stars for the Boks in France, playing mainly off the bench and covering multiple positions, he won numerous crucial turn-overs and breakdown penalties, and made some big tackles in the latter stages of matches. He was, and is, the perfect example of a “super-sub”.
Siya Kolisi 7: The Bok skipper might not have produced anything flashy but he was the glue that kept the side together and drove them forward; if not on the field, then from the sidelines. But, he played his part in the action, carrying strongly, cleaning out at rucks, and making numerous tackles. What a superb leader he has been for the Boks.
Franco Mostert 7: Like his skipper, he doesn’t do anything particularly eye-catching, but what a work-horse. In 2019 he was part of the “Bomb Squad”, in 2023 he was first choice No 5 lock and what a World Cup he had. He ran the lineouts well under trying circumstances at times, and got stuck in in the loose, making many, many tackles.
Marvin Orie 6: The Stormers man had a fairly quiet World Cup, but he played his part in the wins against Romania and Tonga; in the latter game he was particularly good in the lineouts and as a tackler and ball-carrier, with it probably his best Test in the Bok jersey. He would have also played a big role in training.
RG Snyman 7: The so-called “Viking” returned to the squad for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, following a number of serious injuries, and delivered on the biggest stage, like he did in Japan four years ago. He played mainly off the bench as an impact player, but brought a presence to the action with big carries and hard tackles.
Jean Kleyn 6: Four years ago in Japan he played for Ireland, now he’s a World Cup winner with the Boks. Started against Romania and played off the bench in other outings, including in the final. Had some decent moments in the lineouts and as a carrier and tackler, without standing out. But what a story he will tell his kids.
Eben Etzebeth 8: He got better as the World Cup got bigger. He only lasted 25 minutes against Scotland, didn’t play against Romania and featured for 40-odd minutes against Ireland. Performed well against Tonga and was superb against France, with a hand in the way to prevent a try, while he scored a five-pointer of his own. Strong in the semi and final.
Frans Malherbe 8: The tighthead prop with the fewest words in the game was a powerful figure in the scrums, helping the Boks to boss the set-piece in a number of matches. But, he also got himself involved in plenty of action outside the scrums, by making numerous tackles. Best No 3 in the business.
Vincent Koch 6: He suffered an injury niggle early on in the campaign and was later used mainly as an impact player and delivered superbly on all occasions. Added his experience and strength to a strong Bok scrum and also got around the field with some carries and tackles. Unfortunate to miss out on playing in the final because of an injury.
Trevor Nyakane 7: Fulfilled his role as a member of the “Bomb Squad” superbly, often coming on and helping the Boks to maintain their dominance in the scrums. He scrummed strongly, winning the Boks several penalties. A high-quality World Cup from the man who missed out on most of the 2019 campaign due to injury.
Steven Kitshoff 6: By his own high standards, Kitshoff was more steady than scintillating, though he did scrum well and help win the Boks several scrum penalties. He got around the field making several tackles; he did, however, also give away a few penalties at times. A two-time World Cup winner and a Bok legend.
Ox Nche 9: The man who loves his cake was the standout Bok prop in France. He came on as a second half sub in most instances and dominated his direct opponent on every occasion; he was a massive presence in the scrums, winning several penalties and he also made his fair share of tackles. A World Cup to remember.
Bongi Mbonambi 7: He was dragged into a nasty controversy after the semi-final, and got injured early in the final, but otherwise enjoyed a good World Cup, captaining the team against Romania. Was asked to play more than management would have liked due to Malcolm Marx’s injury. Though he missed a lineout throw here and there, he was steady throughout.
Deon Fourie 7: Who would have thought he’d be a World Cup winner at 37 and play 77 minutes of the final? He stepped up in the loose when coming off the bench, performed his hooker duties well, though he missed a few lineouts, but a very satisfactory few weeks in France; in fact, unforgettable.
Malcolm Marx 7: Sadly, the world’s best hooker suffered a knee injury in training ahead of the team’s second game against Romania and was forced to return home. He played well in his only outing against Scotland and was fortunately able to return for the final to celebrate victory with his team-mates.
Not rated:
Lukhanyo Am – he replaced the injured Makazole Mapimpi, but didn’t get a game.
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