Springbok player ratings: Mediocrity all round

Here’s how the Springboks fared on their first ever trip to Washington.

15 – CURWIN BOSCH (3/10)

Hardly made any claim for a long-term stay in the fullback position. Seemed to follow the kick-based tactics to the letter … and to his detriment.

14 – TRAVIS ISMAIEL (5/10)

Given the overall context of the Boks’ performance, this wasn’t a bad debut for the Bulls winger. Poached his try well but should’ve tried to dot down a second time when he was bundled into touch.

13 – JESSE KRIEL (5/10)

Did brilliantly with his quick hands to make Mapimpi’s try a certainty. His off-loading game is become a strength.

12 – ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN (7/10)

How this man has improved within a year. Showed vision and finesse with a superb break and kick forward early in the first half. A storming dart set up the Boks’ second try. Solid on defence too. He’s staked a claim to become a first-choice player for Rassie Erasmus.

11 – MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI (6/10)

Who said this man is a one-trick pony? Showed his try-scoring ability by dotting down on debut but his real triumph was his work rate without the ball. Chased high balls all day and completed 8 tackles. Really promising.

10 – ELTON JANTJIES (5/10)

This was a typical Jantjies performance of 2018. Solid in the goal-kicking department, inconsistent everywhere else.

9 – IVAN VAN ZYL (5/10)

No fireworks but as John Mitchell will tell you, that’s not this Bulls scrumhalf’s game. Calm in sticky situations and his distribution reliable.

8 – DAN DU PREEZ (3/10)

Disappointing day at the office for the towering No 8. His handling was really poor and conceded two turnovers.

7 – OUPA MOHOJE (6/10)

Deserves credit for gradually imposing himself during the game. Looked very rusty initially – he hasn’t played for a few weeks since the Cheetahs’ Pro14 run finished – before carrying well, tackling hard and being an extra lineout option.

6 – KWAGGA SMITH (5/10)

His hands were disappointingly poor for a sevens star but he delivered a mountain of work on defence – an immense 12 tackles.

5 – PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT (6/10)

As always led by example with a solid all-round performance though his captaincy debut was less glittering.

4 – JASON JENKINS (6/10)

There was a Bakkies Botha vibe to his performance. Certainly potential for a so-called enforcer role in future.

3 – WILCO LOUW (4/10)

Did his part on defence but conceded a scrum penalty and didn’t carry much.

2 – CHILIBOY RALEPELLE (6/10)

Showed his experience in delivering a solid performance. Robust defence and one very good turnover.

1 – OX NCHE (3/10)

Difficult debut for the young Cheetahs prop. Shot out of the line too early in the build-up to one of Wales’ tries and had to be lectured by the referee about his struggles in the scrum.

16 – AKKER VAN DER MERWE (5/10)

Bustling as ever. Certainly injected energy and made his tackles as the game became a bit looser.

17 – STEVEN KITSHOFF (4/10)

Stabilised the scrum but conceded a penalty and a turnover. Didn’t deliver the usual magic.

18 – THOMAS DU TOIT (5/10)

Did nothing prominent but also didn’t do anything wrong.

19 – MARVIN ORIE (7/10)

Brilliant cameo from the Lions man. Carried well, made two tackles and stole two lineouts within a 17 minute stint.

20 – SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE (6/10)

Worthy replacement for the out-of-sorts Dan du Preez. Deserves more opportunity.

21 – EMBROSE PAPIER (NOT ENOUGH TIME TO BE RATED)

One lovely break in the dying seconds.

22 – ROBERT DU PREEZ (3/10)

At least nailed his first penalty goal for the Boks but had two kicks charged down within two minutes. One of them led to Wales’ winning try.

23 – WARRICK GELANT (6/10)

Provided far more than Bosch.