Springbok ratings: Three's a crowd after Boks' second-half capitulation against Wallabies
Image: BackpagePix
The Springboks arguably had their worst match in the Rassie Erasmus era when they went down 38-22 to the Wallabies in Johannesburg yesterday.
While they dished up a commanding display in the first half, leading 22-5 at halftime, the Boks conceded 33 points unanswered points in the second half. There were a few good moments in the first half, but the result paints a picture of an indifferent team performance overall
Independent Newspapers' Leighton Koopman rates the Springboks.
Tom Wright wraps it up for the Wallabies 🇦🇺🏉
They win at Ellis Park for the first time since 1963 📚#SSRugby | #TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/XqJ99vvps9 — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 16, 2025
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15 Aphelele Fassi (3): Not effective on the attack as the starting fullback.
14 Edwill van der Merwe (3): That record of scoring in all of his first four Tests evaded him. Some good touches, but he was restricted by the Wallabies.
13 Jesse Kriel (3): A couple of times, he cut inside when there were opportunities on the outside on the attack. Tackling let him down as well in the build-up to a couple of Aussie tries.
12 Andre Esterhuizen (3): Scored a brilliant try in the first half.
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (3): Excellent under the high ball and scored a good try
10 Manie Libbok (3): Some good touches in the first half that put his team on the front foot.
9 Grant Williams (4): Grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the first half. Good box-kicking too.
Australia win at Emirates Airline Park for the first time in the professional era 🇦🇺💥#SSRugby | #TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/Q4rdCDiWXo — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 16, 2025
8 Siya Kolisi (3): Good first-half try after spotting an opportunity that caught the Wallaby defenders napping.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (3): The ball died with him on the wing a couple of times when the Boks attacked.
6 Marco van Staden (3): Could not secure breakdown possession for the side.
5 Lood de Jager (3): The lineouts of the Springboks struggled even with the five-lock on the field.
4 Eben Etzebeth (3): Couldn't play the enforcer role that he is known for, especially in the second half.
WHAT A COMEBACK! 🔥
An unforgettable night for the Wallabies as they stormed back from 22 points down to defeat the Springboks! 🙌#TheRugbyChampionship #RSAvAUS pic.twitter.com/YfAFmJVFHW — TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) August 16, 2025
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