Springbok player ratings: every player came to the party against France

It was a game that needed everyone in the matchday squad to play their part if the Springboks were to beat and dump France out of the Rugby World Cup in their backyard. 

And the South Africans did that, with every team member pulling in the same direction to claim a pulsating 29-28 victory in a heart-stopping match played in front of a vociferous crowd in Paris. 

TimesLIVE Premium rates the performances of the players.

Starting XV

1. Steven Kitshoff — 7

Kitshoff may have conceded a few penalties in the game, but he was solid throughout his 52 minutes before he was replaced by Ox Nche.

2. Bongi Mbonambi — 8

Despite Mbonambi having a terrible line-out throw in the first half, the hooker went on to put in a strong performance. He made some exceptional calls as a skipper after Siya Kolisi went off, and one of those — to tap a penalty — resulted in the crucial try by Eben Etzebeth. He won Man of the Match. 

3. Frans Malherbe — 7.5

He was difficult to deal with in the scrums and won a crucial penalty scrum for the South Africans. He rarely missed a tackle on the night.

4. Eben Etzebeth — 9.5

He was definitely one of the standout performers in the game despite spending 10 minutes on the naughty chair.

The industrious Etzebeth once again displayed his power when he took a few French players over to score his 67th minute try that put the Boks in front and set them up for the crucial victory.

5. Franco Mostert — 7

The stats shows that Mostert made more tackles than anyone on the pitch in the first half and that might explain why he looked to have run out of steam and had to make way for RG Snyman early in the final half.

6. Siya Kolisi — 7

For a player who recently returned from a career-threatening injury, Kolisi continues to show why he was needed in France. The man has leadership skills that are second to none and his presence is a big boost to his players.

Kolisi is yet to return to his best, but his tactical awareness at Stade de France was amazing.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit — 8

Du Toit was a nuisance to France under the high ball and had more carries than any other Boks player.

8. Duane Vermeulen — 8

The former Bok captain’s key turnover resulted in Springboks’ first try scored by Kurt-Lee Arendse.

He played a crucial role in slowing down the attack of the World Cup hosts and affirmed his legendary status when he came back into play from the bench to stand in for the injured Du Toit at flank.

9. Cobus Reinach — 7

The scrumhalf put in a solid shift, coming up against one of the best, if not the best, scrumhalves in the world in Antoine Dupont.

He made some excellent cross-kicks and was involved in the creation of two tries and kicked well out of hand. Reinach’s short pass to Damian De Allende to score his try was a thing of beauty.

He has definitely created a big headache for Bok selectors in who should start at nine.

10. Manie Libbok — 7

Without a doubt several Springboks fans might have questioned why Libbok was picked to start ahead of tried and tested Handré Pollard. His performance against a fuelled-up France answered those questions.

Libbok played really well. His place-kicking was far better than in the pool defeat against Ireland. Out of his three kicks for poles the flyhalf missed one, and slotting a difficult kick early in the game would have helped boost his confidence.

11. Cheslin Kolbe — 9.5

Kolbe, like Etzebeth, could have easily been named the Man of the Match. He was simply a joy to watch, whether carrying out his defensive duties or troubling French defenders with electrifying runs.

His spectacular pace and hot-stepping abilities were a nightmare for the French defenders. The video clip of him charging down Thomas Ramos’s conversion attempt has gone viral on the internet, for good reason.

12. Damian De Allende — 9

The powerful centre once again made sure his presence was felt on the pitch. His kick-and-chase game was instrumental for the defending champions, as were his bullocking runs.

He was at the centre of the creation of his own try. De Allende is just a rare breed.

13. Jesse Kriel — 8

Kriel gave an excellent all-round performance and produced a clever kick that set up the bustling Kolbe’s try.

The player was also industrious in defence and his tackle on Damian Penaud, who was charging towards the tryline, saved South Africa from big trouble.

14. Kurt-Lee Arendse — 8

Arendse’s awareness saw him pounce on a loose ball to streak through for South Africa’s first try. He had a busy night, being involved in protecting Boks’ tryline and did well on attack.

15. Damian Willemse — 8

Willemse made a few great clearances at the back and combined well with Manie Libbok.

Replacements:

16. Deon Fourie — 7 

Came on for Kolisi in the 46th minute and put in a good shift to help take the Boks over the line.

17. Ox Nche — 8

Though he gave away a penalty after he came on for Kitshoff in the 52nd minute, Nche recovered superbly and even won a penalty for his team. Had one huge, crucial scrum, among many big ones. 

18. Vincent Koch — 6

Came on and gave South Africa dominance at scrums.

19. RG Snyman — 6

Excellent in the line-outs but had to leave the pitch due to an injury.

20. Kwagga Smith — 7 

Smith’s steal that resulted in the try by Etzebeth was a game-changer for the Boks.

21. Faf de Klerk — 6

He made a few mistakes after he came off the bench but did enough to make sure South Africa proceeded to the next round.

22. Handré Pollard — 7

His successful penalty kick from the halfway line explains why there were many calls for him to join the team in France. Pollard’s experience helped South Africa manage the game towards the final hooter.

23. Willie le Roux — 6

While there’s a feeling he could have done more, Le Roux’s presence at a crucial time for the team was big.