**Springboks Player Ratings: Scotland Test**

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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Springboks Player Ratings: Scotland Test - A Mixed Bag in Edinburgh

The Springboks faced a tough challenge in Edinburgh against a determined Scotland side, ultimately securing a narrow 30-29 victory. While the win keeps their Autumn Nations Series hopes alive, the performance was far from perfect. Here's a breakdown of the individual player ratings:

Backs

• Damian Willemse (Fullback): 7/10 - A reliable presence at the back, Willemse made crucial tackles and contributed to the attack. His kicking game was solid, but he could have been more assertive in certain situations.
• Kurt-Lee Arendse (Wing): 6.5/10 - Showed glimpses of brilliance, particularly with his pace, but was inconsistent in his execution.
• Makazole Mapimpi (Wing): 6/10 - Solid defensively but lacked his usual cutting edge in attack. Missed a crucial try-scoring opportunity in the second half.
• Jesse Kriel (Centre): 7/10 - A strong performance from Kriel, providing crucial support and carrying the ball with power.
• Lukhanyo Am (Centre): 6.5/10 - Am's defensive work was excellent, but he didn't quite reach the heights expected in attack.
• Handre Pollard (Fly-half): 7/10 - Pollard's kicking game was exceptional, delivering crucial points and guiding the team. However, his passing lacked accuracy at times.
• Jaden Hendrikse (Scrum-half): 6/10 - Hendrikse's service was a bit erratic, and his distribution could have been more precise. However, he showed good energy and defensive instincts.

Forwards

• Steven Kitshoff (Loosehead Prop): 7.5/10 - Kitshoff was a dominant force in the scrum, providing a solid platform for the Bok attack.
• Malcolm Marx (Hooker): 7/10 - Marx displayed his usual dynamism around the field, contributing to both attack and defense.
• Frans Malherbe (Tighthead Prop): 6.5/10 - Malherbe had a solid performance in the scrum, but his mobility around the field was limited.
• Eben Etzebeth (Lock): 7/10 - Etzebeth was a leader on the field, providing both physicality and leadership.
• Lood de Jager (Lock): 6.5/10 - De Jager was a strong presence in the lineouts, but his influence on the game was relatively subdued.
• Pieter-Steph du Toit (Flanker): 8/10 - Du Toit was an absolute beast on the field, proving his exceptional work rate and carrying power.
• Siya Kolisi (Captain, Flanker): 7/10 - Kolisi led by example, showcasing his tactical acumen and defensive prowess.
• Marco van Staden (Flanker): 6/10 - Van Staden was impactful off the bench, injecting energy and intensity into the game.

Substitutes

• Kwagga Smith (Flanker): 7/10 - Smith had a significant impact off the bench, bringing energy and carrying power.
• Jasper Wiese (Flanker): 6.5/10 - Wiese was a strong presence in the second row, but he didn't have as much impact as Smith.
• Elrigh Louw (Lock): 6/10 - Louw provided a steady presence after coming on, contributing to the scrum and lineouts.
• Damian de Allende (Centre): 7/10 - De Allende brought his usual dynamism to the game, adding a much-needed spark to the attack.

Overall

The Springboks showed resilience and determination to secure the win, but they were far from their best. The attack lacked fluency, and the set-piece performance was inconsistent. The forwards deserve praise for their physicality, but the backline needs to find more consistency in their execution.

This victory provides a valuable lesson for the Springboks. They must find a way to improve their attacking fluidity and maintain a higher level of performance in all facets of the game. The upcoming games in the Autumn Nations Series will provide crucial opportunities for the team to make amends and prove their worth against tough opposition.