Player ratings: South Africa

Yesterday at 03:34 PM

OPINION: South Africa completed an unbeaten year-end tour for the first time since 2013, beating an outclassed Wales 45-12.

It was the Welsh' 12th consecutive defeat to Wales and a calendar year without a win.

The Springboks dominated the game from the outset and even attempted to run from inside their own ingoal area.

Despite becoming sloppy and unstructured in the second half, they still looked in control and the result was never in doubt.

Jan de Koningrates the South African players!

15 Aphelele Fassi
He showed his attacking mindset and even popped up at first receiver. He is now clearly the premier Bok fullback.
8/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe
His stepping was sublime, but he did not always get the reward. Still beat seven defenders.
7/10

13 Jesse Kriel
Plenty of carries and metres made. Also made all his tackles. Now the standard bearing for outside centres.
7/10

12 Damian de Allende
Powerful in the first half, but was sloppy at the start to the second. Not his best day at the office.
6/10

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse
It started with a brilliant step inside for his try - completely wrongfooting the defence - and also great assist for Fassi's try. He was also brilliant in the air.
9/10

10 Jordan Hendrikse
Showed why he was used at fullback by the Sharks and solid at the back. He also took the ball flat on attack and produced some great clearance kicks. He was not flawless, but deserved his try.
7/10

9 Jaden Hendrikse
Snappy service and a solid kicking game. He was also not flawless, but I can see him and his brother starting many Tests together.
7/10

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8 Jasper Wiese
Incredible workrate, with a match-high 19 carries for 70-odd metres. His hands let him down at times, but his seven tackles added to a heavy workload.
8/10

7 Elrigh Louw
Maybe not as prominent with the ball in hand as some other players, but plenty of carries and deserved his first Test try.
7/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
Showed he can also play a tighter game and made several good carries. His work on defence was exceptional.
7/10

5 Franco Mostert
Ran a sublime line for his try and Springboks' opening score. He showed his diesel engine is still in good shape. Conceded the odd penalty, but his 15 carries and 13 tackles put him right up there.
8/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
Great support play for his try and got involved with several impressive carries. However, his workrate on defence was disappointing and left the field injured on the half-hour mark.
6/10

3 Wilco Louw
Massive in the scrums, a number of powerful caries and made eight tackles - missing just one.
7/10

2 Johan Grobbelaar
Like all the front row forwards he was massive scrums. His work on defence and with the ball in hand was also impressive.
7/10

1 Thomas du Toit
Some strong carries to go with his powerful scrumming. In general play he did not match his fellow front row forwards.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Malcolm Marx (on for Grobbelaar - 46th min)
His basics were solid and his workrate added to his impressive set piece stats.
7/10

17 Gerhard Steenekamp (on for Du Toit - 46th min)
Powerful in the scrums and worked hard in tight exchanges. He deserved his try.
7/10

18 Vincent Koch (on for W Louw - 46th min)
Powerful in the scrums, but his workrate was not up to the expected standards and he conceded three penalties.
6/10

19 Marco van Staden (on for Wiese - 60th min)
Made all his tackles, but his workrate was not up to the expected standard.
6/10

20 RG Snyman (on for Etzebeth - 29th min)
Lost a ball metres from the line, but his workrate was impressive.
7/10

21 Cameron Hanekom (on for E Louw - 42nd min)
Lost the ball in a tackle, but showed energy and keen to impose himself.
6/10

22 Cobus Reinach (on for Jaden Hendrikse - 60th min)
Showed his ability to create something out of nothing and speed up the game.
7/10

23 Handre Pollard (on for De Allende - 50th min)
Great read on defence and good at taking the ball to the line.
7/10

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