Chiliboy, Frans best of average Boks
4 Jul 2009
Keo.co.za rates the Springboks in the third Test at Ellis Park.
Ratings out of 10:
15 Zane Kirchner (5) – Good positional sense and anticipation, and never let the side down. But made the poor decision to kick when he had an overlap in the 2nd minute, and knocked on when trying to offload a pass 7m from the tryline.
14 Odwa Ndungane (5) – His performance was a blend of the good and ordinary, and it’s arguable whether he has the pace to play Test rugby.
13 Jaque Fourie (5) – Defensively solid, but fairly anonymous throughout the Test on attack. His cause wasn’t aided by the fact that his forwards were struggling, which in turn affected the inside backs’ ability to craft space for him.
12 Wynand Olivier (5) – Few attacking opportunities because of the Lions’ dominance up front, but didn’t disappoint with those he did have. Sadly, he’ll be remembered as the player who threw the pass which Ugo Monye intercepted to score from.
11 Jongi Nokwe (5) – The ball just didn’t travel to his wing, but he didn’t look for work either.
10 Morne Steyn (5) – Scored all the Boks’ points, but was relatively disappointing, even if he didn’t receive the best ball. Should have varied his play more.
9 Fourie du Preez (6) – Considering that he was playing behind an inferior pack, he still did well. His option-taking under pressure was good, and his positional sense excellent. Unfortunately injured and substituted at half-time. The Springboks missed his experience.
8 Ryan Kankowski (4) – He should have done better considering the style of rugby the Boks attempted to play. Improved slightly in the second half, but still very ineffective.
7 Juan Smith (6) – Excellent in defence and a strong ball carrier. One of the few forwards to do well.
6 Heinrich Brussow (6) – Anonymous in the first half, with limited impact at the breakdown, but good thereafter. Also made a crucial turnover in the 44th minute, 2m out from goal.
5 Victor Matfield (5) – His threat at the lineout was nullified by smart work from the Lions, and made no telling contribution in the loose.
4 Johann Muller (5) – An ordinary performance. Struggled when asked to play the role of enforcer, but unrelenting on defence.
3 John Smit (5) – Tackled manfully all game, and carried the ball powerfully. But his decision to take the points with his side 22-6 down with 12 minutes to play was perplexing to say the least.
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (7) – Oh the boy was great for 40 minutes before injury ruled him out of the match at half-time. Powerful on both attack and defence and accurate at lineout time. Superb effort.
1 Beast Mtawarira (6) – Struggled against Phil Vickery in the first half, but improved in the second. His defence was sound and when he carried he did so well.
Subs
16 Bismarck du Plessis (6) – Injected physicality into the side when he came on, and strengthened the scrum. But his discipline remains a concern, seen by his late hit on Stephen Jones which cost the Boks three points at a crucial time of the match.
17 Gurthro Steenkamp – Not on for long enough to be rated.
18 Deon Carstens – Not used.
19 Steven Sykes – Not used.
20 Pierre Spies (5) – Came on at left wing in one of Peter de Villiers’ most puzzling moves to date, and was all power and no finesse. It’s not his fault he gets a 5.
21 Ruan Pienaar (4) – Slow service from the breakdown and he often ran laterally, closing his flyhalf’s space. Clearly rusty having not played at No 9 for some time.
22 Frans Steyn (7) – Strengthened the argument of those who believe fullback to be his best position. Ran hard from the back and broke the gain line every time. However, an excellent performance was soured by his riling of Lions fans when Ndungane crossed late in the game. He had egg on his face when the try was disallowed, and he has to grow up.
By Ryan Vrede, at Ellis Park.
53 Comments
4 Jul 2009, 17:42 pm
Best and average Dragons
4 Jul 2009, 17:42 pm
Chiliboy did not come to the scrumming party. Were we watching the same game Ryan?
4 Jul 2009, 17:55 pm
Chiliboy 7 ??? I thought he was the weak link in our pack in the first half. Personally I couldnt wait to see Bismark come on . He was no higher that a 4 … Would give Matfield Muller and Smit all 4′s too. Olivier was our best back would give him a 6
4 Jul 2009, 17:58 pm
#2 Jinx: The Bok scrum immediately stabilized when Bismarck replaced Chilli. It meant better attacking platform for the backs. Bizarre ratings here by Ryan.
4 Jul 2009, 17:58 pm
frnas steyn is pretty strong and apparently isnt a baby when it comes to fighting
4 Jul 2009, 17:58 pm
THE LIONS ARE AGGREGATE POINTS AND MORAL VICTORS.
4 Jul 2009, 17:58 pm
Ryan’s ratings – 1. Why don’t you spend the time to watch the game again and actually come up with some properly thought out ratings? Positions 10 – 15 all 5?? Ndungane may not quite be test class (should have beaten Lions 2 to score early), but he certainly was twice as good as Nokwe (being kind to Nokwe). Chiliboy was shown up in the scrum, so 7 seems way kind – why was he taken off at half time if a 7? What injury??
4 Jul 2009, 18:01 pm
The person interviewing O’Connell was a complete embarrassment – trying to convince him that the Lions were the worthy series winners because they had the better aggregate score?? How about that the Boks played a third rate back 3 and gifted the Lion’s tries in a dead rubber? Loved the lap of honour for a dead rubber win!!
4 Jul 2009, 18:02 pm
I’m getting a bit tired of these keo writers. judgement lacks very much in their writings.
Chiliboy 7? What a joke. more like a 4.
JP would’ve scored in that position, so odwa should also get less.
4 Jul 2009, 18:02 pm
Fack old mighty what a load of bull. You must be a nob. Chilli was the worst player. Why the hell was he subbed after 40mins. If a dumbass coach saw how **** he was then, a! whats the point. Chilli was like a pinball after 30min. did not know in what direction to run. And thats why he is no. 2 at the bulls.
Our lineouts was a bit over the place as well. So as usual your ratings are ****
4 Jul 2009, 18:05 pm
15 Zane Kirchner (4) – Not as good as I expected him to be. Maybe it was ring rust, maybe not. He deserves a second chance to shine so the verdict is still out – is he better that Steyn. RL thinks not
14 Odwa Ndungane (4) – What a very poor performance from a very average player with no gas at all – folks we need JPP and Habana to stay fit to keep cart horses like this Odwa out of the Bok team
13 Jaque Fourie (5) – Here is a world class player that needs game time to get back to his best – PDV must reunite this chapion player with JDV asap.
12 Wynand Olivier (5) – Meisie did ok, he was not as solid in defence as I expected him to be but I think he also suffered from ring rust.
11 Jongi Nokwe (3) – Even poorer that Odwa – why did he not chase that Monye down? Why???
10 Morne Steyn (5) – Ok so he had an average match – good with kicking but not as good as Pienaar in general play.
9 Fourie du Preez (6) – FDP was kicked in the back by that thug Shaw – I wonder if that thug will get banned alaBakkies style for his vicious attack on the best half back in the world.
8 Ryan Kankowski (4) – A poor mans Spies – A poor mans Spies. A poor mans Spies. Hell get rid of this show pony and bring in Vermeulen.
7 Juan Smith (6) – He deserves his 6 although he is a 7.5 – 8.2 player for sure.
6 Heinrich Brussow (6) – Did we miss that skull head Burger? hell no. Brussouw is the new king.
5 Victor Matfield (5) – He looked loss without his yoke mate Bakkies. Bakkies MAtfield missed you big time.
4 Johann Muller (2) – Did he actually play in the match?
3 John Smit (5) – Smitty always ends the match with cuts and scratches and bruising on his face. I think it is because he has that “hit me” kinda face.
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (5) – Not as good as Bismark that is for sure – he ran outof steam. He has to work on his fitness and match intensity if he is to be considered for a starting berth.
1 Beast Mtawarira (6) – He too missed the power of Bakkies behind him in the scrum but overall he had a good match. He is still learning his trade and can thank his lucky stars that Heinke (the real beast) is injured.
Subs
16 Bismarck du Plessis (6) – Showed just how good he is in the scrums and in the collisions – learn Chili boy learn from the man.
17 Gurthro Steenkamp – Not as good as Heinke.
20 Pierre Spies (6) – is better that CanCowsSki – oh it is true.
21 Ruan Pienaar (5) – He is a flyhalf not a scrumhalf anymore … get it?
22 Frans Steyn (7) – The best back we have and the best full back in the world. What a talent – what a player.
In summary the Bok B tam is not as good as our A team but then again they are the B team for a reason.
4 Jul 2009, 18:05 pm
I kind of think Ryan does these ratings before the game. The Bok scrum was getting smashed until Bismark came on. Chilliboy did fine in general play but his main job is at scrum time. I also think he is a bit harsh on Kanko. It is very difficult for a loose forward of his kind to excel when your tight five is struggling. This is the most they have battled in the 3 match series and Spies has not been very prominent in the previous matches either. I think a Danie Roussow type 8 man would have been better with Kanko or Spies coming on for the last 30 minutes. We were always going to struggle with our light weight locks and average wingers though.
4 Jul 2009, 18:05 pm
#8 The Professor:
Have to say that the lap of honour was a must. So many supporters. How else can they say thank you. If they lost 2day they still had 2 do that. Its all about us. We spend the money hence we want the thank you.
4 Jul 2009, 18:07 pm
#2 Jinx: #3 dh@rv: #7 The Professor: #9 mellowyellow:
Fellows agreed, Ryan is a poor writer and and a poor rugby analyst. We all know that. He is an embarassment to Keo.
4 Jul 2009, 18:08 pm
Ryan… you plonker, you clearly dont know much about rugby if you put chilli as one of the best on the day.
The garbage that passes for rugby journalism here is a joke,
I hope to anything you dont get paid to write this ****…
You’ve lost some serious credibility here
4 Jul 2009, 18:12 pm
#15 bok1906: Read my 14.
4 Jul 2009, 18:18 pm
#13 Balletjies: Point taken – was just frustrated with the aggregate score rubbish – big credit for O’Connell for not taking the bait, and also for pointing out in the interview the ‘lap of honour’ was to thank fans. In the end, a great series, spoilt to an extent by the Sky cheerleading er commentary team / one-eyed English press
4 Jul 2009, 18:21 pm
#17 The Professor:
Agree
4 Jul 2009, 18:24 pm
If this is Ryans ratings then I give him a red card for being a idiot d@@s. His just giving this ratings so he can clock up some blog-numbers on his story.
4 Jul 2009, 18:32 pm
Ryan lost the plot completely and all his credibility! Who can take him seriously after this rating? Is he working for Twakkie to write Chilly up like that. I say Keo should rather get Redlion [11] to do the rating from now on. Ryan, get a real job. This one is not working, mate
4 Jul 2009, 18:40 pm
Chiliboy was ok in the loose but he could not contribute like Bismarck in the set piece. Has Ryan taken of the kool aid?
4 Jul 2009, 18:43 pm
Agree with PeterG. Chilly was not bad, and played well in the loose. Got one good turnover, but need more work on his fitness, scrumming and line-out throw-ins. Still a prospect
4 Jul 2009, 18:56 pm
I’d take Chili over Bismarck any day of the week. Bis is one of the most over-rated and risky selections in the squad.
4 Jul 2009, 19:02 pm
well done Lions. Congrats on a well desrved and hard earned win. The better side won on the day …..
Lots of hard work lays ahead for the boks..
4 Jul 2009, 19:09 pm
#23 Twig:
TWIG is a TWIG. Watch the game bru
4 Jul 2009, 19:11 pm
Perhaps this result emphasises just how ordinary the Boks really are… just thinking out loud here… I don’t think we should be under any illusions come Tri-Nations time (especially as we come back down to earth with a hard bang every time we go into the Tri-Nations as favourites).
Whilst we have had a run of consecutive results go our way, you can’t be too relaxed thinking about how we were outplayed by NZ and Aus in last years Tri-Nations (we finished last), how we struggled to beat Wales (x3) last year, struggled to beat Italy, struggled to beat Scotland on the EOYT last year and struggled to beat the Lions at home.
Let’s be very clear, we were lucky to win the Lions series – it could have gone either way.
It’s not all peachy for the Boks, lets not get our hopes up for the Tri-Nations just yet.
4 Jul 2009, 19:15 pm
#24 grant10:
sorry couldn’t make it Grant, landed up watching the game alone at a Panarotti’s pizza shop, would have preferred it in Hout Bay even though Kanko and Mullers performance was worse than a couple can can dancers.
Hope you guys had a good time even though the rugby the Boks played was up to *****.
4 Jul 2009, 19:32 pm
#23 Twig:
Are you gerook?
4 Jul 2009, 19:33 pm
15 Zane Kirchner:
Playing his first Test he performed fairly ok , but lacks experience at this level, He wants to play and wants to run. Substituted 16 minutes into the second half. 5/10
14 Odwa Ndungane
He plays, he tries, he works hard and he defends well but he just hasn’t got the speed. He should have scored late in the match. 5/10
13 Jaque Fourie
He certainly played in a match when opportunities for players outside of 12 had few opportunities. He was brave and aggressive and was certainly the best of the Springbok backs.He also won a few balls in the loose 8/10
12 Wynand Olivier
He started well and defended well but his attacking skills were limited to charging into unyielding defenders over and over again. It was his long pass that Ugo Monye intercepted for the try that broke the Springboks’ resolve. 4/10
11 Jongi Nokwe
Obviously he is no Bryan Habana. Habana was on the bench and Nokwe was on the field as was occasionally obvious till his place was taken – on the wing – by Pierre Spies with 16 minutes to go. Spies was more in evidence. 2/10
10 Morné Steyn
Defended well and kicked really well. He tried to give his backs a chance but lacked a flyhalf’s spark and variation. 5/10
9 Fourie du Preez
He was injured late in the first half when Simon Shaw dropped his knees into his back and left the field at half-time. But for the half he was on he was quite the best of the Springboks, even behind a sloppy pack. 8/10
8 Ryan Kankowski
Without being presented with the ball, he did not play his normal game 4/10
7 Juan Smith
He was good in the line-out and was, rarely for the Springboks, committed to the tackle collision. He ran with the ball but in a non-threatening, upright way. 5/10
6 Heinrich Brüssow
His silly involvement in a squabble that was not his cost his team three points but for the rest he was worth gold to the Springboks with his strength, determination and skill at the breakdowns. And when he has the ball you know that his side will get the ball. 8/10
5 Victor Matfield
Perhaps his worst match in a Springbok jersey. He was the first player penalised in the match and that at a tackle, which maybe why he avoided so many collision places later on. He caught well in the line-out but once lost the ball and once flung it past Fourie du Preez. 4/10
4 Johann Muller
Did not perform too badly but will never have bakkies tenacious play, He won his lineouts and tackled well. 5/10
3 John Smit (captain)
He gave it his all. The scrumming problems were not of his making and he was on hand to compete at the tackles, make tackles and take the ball up. 7/10
2 Chiliboy Ralepelle
His replacement at half-time by Bismark du Plessis and the great improvement in Springboks scrumming after that suggests that this enthusiastic but perhaps naive player is not up to it though his line-out throwing was impeccable. 5/10
1 Tendai Mtawarira
He gets about, he tackles, he contests at the tackle and with Bismarck du Plessis at his side his scrumming was again powerful. 7/10
Replacements:
16 Bismarck du Plessis
His appearance on the field restored the scrumming power of the Springboks. He also played with energy and intent once making three successive tackles in one bout of play. 7/10
17 Gürthro Steenkamp
Was poor when he came on and weakened the scrums.
18 Deon Carstens
Did not play
19 Steven Sykes
Did not play
20 Pierre Spies
Spent 16 minutes on the left wing and charged a few times.
21 Ruan Pienaar
Played the whole second half at scrumhalf and showed his class – a skilful and aware player. 7/10
22 François Steyn
His performance at fullback was impressive – one great clearance and willing to run to produce chances for the Springboks to play off him. 8/10
4 Jul 2009, 19:35 pm
#26 wooden spoon:
we were the best in the S14. I have always maintained that the last 10% of play is in the head. Thats where the coach comes in.
We have the best players in the world but the conditioning comes from the coach to take players from good to great.
Same in tennis, everyone can hit a hard serve or passing shot down the line.
The caoch that teaches the player to play the right shot at the right time, will ensure that that player excels.
Unfortunately in SA we have not given enough emphasis om the power of the brain and have mostly relied on brawn.
Th eozzies have shown that they are the most cunning team and therefore play well. Gituae isnt a big person, but he thinks.
SA players need to think more on the pitch. it’s not always about size and muscle.
If a bok team can one play at 100% of their potential, we will put 50 points past any kiwi, ozzie or lions team!
4 Jul 2009, 19:54 pm
Get off it! These ratings are about as bad as the game we played.
4 Jul 2009, 20:22 pm
I wonder – did our forwards hold back at clearing rucks and the other collision points in fear of getting a ban for actually playing rugby correctly.
4 Jul 2009, 20:49 pm
#32 Mistral: yea mistral for sure. was looking for that and think they did. think they sometime looked like they were confused(like many of us) as to what the rules are.
4 Jul 2009, 21:00 pm
Yeah Ryan, you suck
Are you sure your mother don’t write the articles for you?
Odwa should get an extra point for ripping that ball out of whatshisface hands
4 Jul 2009, 21:09 pm
I agree with Chiliboy’s rating. His scrummaging wasn’t up to par, sure. But he was one of our stand out ball carriers in the 1st half. Nothing wrong with his throws, and nothing wrong with his tackles. You can see he had a good 1st half, because towards the end of it he looked battered.
Boks lost because of the Lions defense in open play and at the breakdown. And because they bullied us. We kept our discipline all the way to the 60th minute. Not bad considering “we were the thugs last week”. (take note I used inverted commas)
4 Jul 2009, 23:40 pm
The Boks were not at the game this week. A poor show by the boys who really needed to up their game to show what they could be done.
It is a lot to do with the coach, he went in with a light weight pack Seems strange to say with minimal changes. The packs didn’t turn up, which reflected poorly on the backs.
Victor’s worst game for a long time.
Fourie Du Preez had a shocking kicking game, it really let the side down. The big problem is that we need to vary our game. Running the ball back is non existent. A sad indictment on our running game.
We had the players to play a fast & loose game, with Kanko, Brussow, Nokwe etc. A real opportunity missed.
5 Jul 2009, 02:11 am
ag stop talking **** man, brussow was a beast, again. better than mccaw
5 Jul 2009, 02:21 am
#3 dh@rv:
olivier was not the best back he run side ways all day and closed the space for fourie and the wings
5 Jul 2009, 04:02 am
“4 Johann Muller (5) – An ordinary performance. Struggled when asked to play the role of enforcer, but unrelenting on defence.”
Did he make a tackle? He certainly did not tackle his man backwards! Did he even clean a ruck once?
“2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (7) – Oh the boy was great for 40 minutes before injury ruled him out of the match at half-time. Powerful on both attack and defence and accurate at lineout time. Superb effort.”
We struggled in teh scrums until Bissie cam eon. Otherwise ok- not great..
#38 JB_BOK: I cannot believe that with those backline players, they could not make any space for Nokwe. A crying shame.
Nokwe is not great on defence though. He chases the high ball, but shows no inclination to take contact when he is there. Maybe cause he diclocated his finger?
5 Jul 2009, 04:36 am
I agree re: Chilliboy. He won a few turnovers in the loose/on defence and his play was really quite good until he went off. The scrums were a little shaky in the beginning but he improved.
5 Jul 2009, 04:50 am
Ralepelle is the slowest international test player in the history of the game… only in South Africa would a provinces second choice player make the national team over the first choice due to skin colour!
5 Jul 2009, 04:50 am
#41 money_man:
Sugar-coat that any way you want!
5 Jul 2009, 10:05 am
Chiliboy was good around the park and effected some good turnover ball but he needs to work on his scrummaging. Having said that he hasn’t played all year so how can anybody expect him to slot straight into it?
5 Jul 2009, 10:07 am
Peter Bills rates the players in todays Sunday Argus. He give Chiliboy a 4. Vrede you might write well but you’ve still got a great deal to learn about the game lad. Get your nose in those books and dvd’s
5 Jul 2009, 10:10 am
#29 sharks_lover:
I agree 100% with your ratings. We lost yesterday because we could not bring defensive pressure to bear on their ball carriers in phase play.
What I mean by this is that if I carry the ball with attacking intent playing the situation as it presents itself to me, I can pick the gap or point of attack as well as the type of play I will employ, so I therefor dominate the play. What the opposition need to do to stop or nullify my attack is to change the situation presenting itself to me by variation and bringing pressure to bear on me by means of attacking agressive defence- ie cutting down my space and time and options to force me to have to think and act quicker. This the BOks failed to do dismally.
Our defensive strategy was to form a barricading defensive line and wait behind the advantage line for them to run at us, when we should have, as a line, advanced forward and tackled them behind or on the advantage line. The innitiating of this forward advance on attack comes at scrums from your 6 flanker and at lineouts and loose phases from your designated loose forward defending the flyhalf channel- ussually your 7 flanker if you play a fetcher, with your 8 sweeping behind the defensive line.
Interesting thing is this is where you have a prime example of how stats can be misleading. Reason?
1. If defenders wait for attackers to run at them and pull off the tackle behind the advantage line, their stats still look good because they still make the tackle, but lose 10 to 15 meters of field position every time.
2. Clever players will position themselves in “high hit” areas which atttackers are more likely to target and can thus even manipulate their personal tackle stats to the detriment of the teams.
And this happened time and again on Saturday. What the technical coaches have to understand is that if you are playing a fetcher, his primary job is just that- to fetch, and he is continuously buying time for himself by focussing on the ball and running lines on defense which will place him ideally to fetch at the next tackle or beakdown. This is no rocket science and it goes with the territory, but what you have to then understand is (a) it is humanly and physically impossible for him to hit every breakdown optimally placed to steal the ball- every ball, time after time, so (b) he needs a foil to play from, someone who hits every second ruck for him and slows down opposition ball to buy time for the fetcher at the following ruck. The foil’s aim is not neccesarily to fetch, but more to contest and slow down ball, in that way increasing the odds that the fetcher will steal the ball at the next ruck.
So it is like hunting in a pair with the fetcher getting all the glory while the foil does half the work, but the team wins as a result. This is how the Bulls play it with Stegman as fetcher and Potgieter as foil, leaving Spies free to do all the carrying from quick second phase stolen ball.
Because Juan Smith played the classic 7 flanker primary ballcarrier and defender role he normally plays with Schalla around, where the roles are far less defined when it comes to fetching (sort of each to his own in the situation), the Boks were not only less effective at the breakdown, but it also impacted on Kanko’s game because he firstly didn’t get much ball to work with and secondly was out of position to capitalize optimally on the quick ball, because he was a channel closer in than what he should ideally have been when receiving ball to carry up.
This is not through any fault of the players, but as a result of the failure of the technical coaching staff to appreciate the change in roles and duties which takes place amongst the loosies, and the resultant opportunities, when you play a fetcher.
To return to the second paragraph above, it was the absense of a foil at every second breakdown which allowed them to win quick ball to play wide and stretch or fetcher to the limits reach-wise, in spite of our fetcher having a half-decent game, and as a consequence, combined with us waiting for their carriers to run at us, their backs were more in the game with quality quick phase ball. In short, they ran Brussouw ragged the entire match.
To get back to the foil- he has to be able to combine a degree of fetching ability with a very strong defensive game and some ball-carrying ability. There are two players currently in SA able to fullfill that role. The by far most proficient of the two is Dewald Potgieter, and the other is Jacques Botes. Luke Watson would also be able to slot in as foil quite seamlessly, but he is off overseas soon.
So all is not doom and gloom. We have two accomplished fetchers in SA in Brussouw and Stegmann, with young Biscuit van Deventer coming through the nursery as well. Plus we have Potgieter and Botes as foils. The rest of the guys, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean Deysel and Nick Koster, will have to vie for no 8 with Spies and Kanko in the near future when the fetcher/foil loosie pattern becomes the style of preference in the Bok team, which it will due to pressure from the AB’s and the Ozzies, who both have already bought into it if their current team make-ups are anything to go by.
All the abovementioned guys have very strong ballcarrying capabilities and any of them on the day could fullfull the primary ballcarrier function which will become the no 1 duty of eigthmen in future.
The game has just gone into overdrive, and to keep up with the pace we have to adapt or die.
Why did McGeechan start with Martin Williams and Joe Worsley in tandem on Saturday, together with Heaslip. Could it be that he too read the script correctly? The scoreboard certainly tells us so. It certainly isn’t the Bible, but it too doesn’t lie.
5 Jul 2009, 10:20 am
#45 bluruggaguru:
Sorry, in paragraph 9 “or” should be “our”.
5 Jul 2009, 12:27 pm
C’mon Ryan…these ratings are shocking!
5 Jul 2009, 12:32 pm
How the South Africa and Lions players rated
Stephen Jones, Rugby Correspondent
South Africa
Zane Kirchner 4
Played like a tiny schoolkid at a convention of big bullies. Out of his depth, and hopefully his career will not be set back
Odwa Ndungane 7
Very unlucky not to be awarded a try, and probably the most convincing South African attacker
Jaque Fourie 5
We heard all week what a pasting he was going to give to the Lions in midfield. But as it turned out, he ran straight into the tenacious Tommy, and was never seen again
Wynand Olivier 5
He produced at least the most perfect pass of the match. Straight into the path of Ugo Monye. They said it was a 14-point try. No it wasn’t, it was a seven-point try
Jongi Nokwe 4
Out of his depth, and with the greatest respect, this appeared to be what they call a selection from affirmative action
Morne Steyn 7
Surely, the fly-half of the future, composed and a beautiful striker of the ball
Fourie du Preez 6
There has only been one world-class scrum-half in South Africa these past three weeks, and it has not been Fourie. Shaw’s knee in his back did not help
Tendai Mtawarira 6
Quiet as a mouse in the scrum, but to be fair, his tenacity lasted almost until the end
Chiliboy Ralepelle 4
Struggled badly, and it was absolutely no surprise when Bismarck du Plessis sailed into view as soon as the second half started
John Smit 6
His most uncomfortable afternoon, and one of those days when he probably regretted switching to play at prop
Johann Muller 8
A very fine performance, not first choice but he was outstandingly conspicuous in the resistance
Victor Matfield 7
He may not be much of a force around the field, but the Lions simply could not find a way to touch him in the lineout all series
Heinrich Brussow 6
The Lions had worked him out, they managed to remove him from the action at the tackle, reducing him to some rather petulant mauling off the ball
Juan Smith 6
Excellent, really quick for a big man but on the day, it was the style of Martyn Williams opposite that was far more effective
Ryan Kankowski 7
He is some athlete, but the gentlemen of the jury are still in conference as to his true all-round worth
Bench 4
The more of their first-choice players they brought on, the more the Lions dominated, and the arrival of Pierre Spies on the wing was just another aberration by the South African coach
Lions
Rob Kearney 9
Absolutely splendid, choice of play and execution almost beyond reproach, Ireland have a diamond
Ugo Monye 7
Welcome to the party, Ugo. He concentrated hard at close quarters, and sprinted in for the Test-winning try
Tommy Bowe 8
To step in out of position in a match of this stature and play so well, was a wonderful achievement
Riki Flutey 9
We knew he could do it, but this effort in midfield, and especially with the crunching tackles and sleight of hand, made you wish that more Kiwis would play for the Lions
Shane Williams 9
All the old instincts and steps were back, two searing tries and a smile back on Shane’s face
Stephen Jones 8
He emerged from a battering, his composure was sensational, this was probably his finest career hour
Mike Phillips 8
Dominant and influential throughout, and not half bad when beginning a whole new career as a centre towards the end
Andrew Sheridan 9
Yesterday he looked the forward that some of us have always known him to be. The new Beast in the scrum and hard yard carries
Matthew Rees 7
It was a shame that he took a heavy knock and had to leave the field because he has advanced really well under pressure on this tour
Phil Vickery 8
It is little late in career for a comeback, Lazarus had nothing on this. Left to a hero’s reception
Simon Shaw 7
Loses one mark for the binning, looked just a tad weary as he walked off but frankly, there is no medal yet minted big enough for what he has achieved
Paul O’Connell 8
His best game of the tour, he was in the ear of the referee and the Springboks, his carrying was not explosive but otherwise immense
Joe Worsley 7
How marvellous that he started a Test, and a man as hard as this will always fly in the environment
Jamie Heaslip 9
At last, the true Jamie. He had been disappointing in the series, but here we had an impersonation of Hercules
Martyn Williams 9
Better and better. He will be some player by the age of 50. Remarkably involved
Bench 9
All good news. Even John Hayes put in two big scrums, and Alun Jones had the ball under lock and key as the clock ran down
6 Jul 2009, 07:28 am
chilliboy was bad he is weak in the scrum so whoever does these ratings were watching the wrong game
6 Jul 2009, 07:38 am
These ratings are shocking, and not only Ryan’s…..
Should be something like this:
15.Kirchner – Mistake or two but not bad for his first test against a fired up Lions side 5/10
14. Ndungane – Kept trying but simply not enough speed to compete at this level 5/10
13. Jacque – The best in his position by far, did not get enough quality ball 6/10
12. Wynand – Great on defence and kept trying on attack. Needs more gametime 5/10
11. Nokwe – Not good enough on attack and even worse on defence. Should be his last game for Boks 3/10
10 Morne – The best flyhalf in the country and should be first choice going forward 6/10
9. Fourie – The best scrumhalf in the world 7/10
8. Kanko – The Spies/Kanko argument is settled. Spies 1st choice by miles 5/10
7 Juan – Not his best but still a good player 5/10
6. Brussouw – This boy is going places and will become a legend 6/10
5. Matfield – His worst game in years, missed his partner but should be no excuse. Trying to play centre at times! 4/10
4. Muller – A Super 14 player at best, no more 4/10
3. Smit – Not his best but not bad either 5/10
2. Chili – Definitely not the second best hooker in the country and out of depth 4/10
1. Beast – This time came off second best, overall not bad though 5/10
6 Jul 2009, 07:48 am
#6 Dubliner: Um, there ain’t no trophy for that, but you Irish and Brits can keep looking…
Chilliboy was great in the loose, needs to work on his scrumming, but would be great as a last 15min replacement. Busmark is just too good.
If the boks kicked for with every kickible penalty we would have won.
6 Jul 2009, 08:07 am
#45 bluruggaguru: Great post. Why oh why cant our coaching staff see this ?
Was this match a gimme by the Boks I wonder, can I assume the Justice 4 was for Bakkies ?
Also Smittie giving the cup to Chilli after the match ?? All is not well …..
6 Jul 2009, 08:08 am
#51 Breakdown Boy: On this basis the Boks won the moral victory in 1997 then !!!!!
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