logo
Springbok player ratings from 55-10 win against Georgia

Springbok player ratings from 55-10 win against Georgia

The Citizen19-07-2025
A number of players in the Bok team stood tall, among them Edwill van der Merwe, Ruan Nortje and the debutants Marnus van der Merwe and Boan Venter.
The Springboks beat Georgia 55-10 in a one-off Test in Mbombela on Saturday. The reigning world champions scored nine tries to the one by the visitors.
The Boks are next in action in the Rugby Championship, which starts next month.
Here are The Citizen's player ratings from the match in Mbombela, out of 10.
Aphelele Fassi 7: The attacking fullback got few chances with ball in hand, but he played his part in Canan Moodie's try. He contested well in the air, but also made a few basic errors. Off in the 55th minute.
Edwill van der Merwe 9: He scored two tries, both well-taken, and had a hand in Canan Moodie's try. Tackled well, contested strongly in the air, and chased kicks. Another excellent Bok performance.
Canan Moodie 8: He had a few good runs, kicked and chased well on two occasions, tackled strongly and showed strength and power to score one of the Boks' tries. Definitely a 13 option going forward.
Damian de Allende 8: Another all-action performance from the inside centre; he carried strongly, he cleaned rucks, he tackled hard and he kicked for position. He also charged down a clearance kick.
Kurt-Lee Arendse 7: By no fault of his own, he had a fairly quiet game, but the action never really went his way. He chased kicks and tackled well, and also scored a try after some good play by RG Snyman and Grant Williams.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 6: He looked dangerous with ball in hand, kicked and collected well on one occasion, but a little all over the place. He missed several kicks at goal and also didn't kick well out of hand. Off in the 55th.
Grant Williams 8: His first clearance kick was poor and resulted in Georgia's only try. But he broke the line brilliantly, which led to Moodie's try, and also made the long over-the-top pass for Edwill van der Merwe's one try, and played part in Arendse's try.
Grant Williams enjoyed a very satisfying outing in Mbombela. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
Cobus Wiese 6: The regular lock was asked to play out of position at eighthman and he did an okay job. He carried strongly on occasion and made a few tackles and cleans, but he knocked on badly on one occasion. Off in 44th.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 8: He was back to his unbelievable best, working tirelessly throughout the match, making tackles and carrying hard, and cleaning rucks. He was literally everywhere on the field.
Siya Kolisi 6: Took a blow to the head in the second minute and left the action, which might have influenced his game. Returned by making tackles and carrying on occasion, and got better and busier as the game went on.
Ruan Nortje 9: He is yet to play poorly in a Bok jersey. He was, like Du Toit, involved in everything and was everywhere. He was the lineout banker, he assisted in Moodie's try, he tackled and cleaned and took kick offs. Brilliant in all respects.
Eben Etzebeth 6: He was busy in the tight-loose play, he tackled well and carried and cleaned, and charged down a kick, but he wasn't the imposing figure he normally is. Left the action shortly after half-time.
Neethling Fouche 7: He scrummed well on debut, forcing a number of penalties, he tackled on occasion and cleaned rucks. Left the action in the 44th minute; he would have hoped for a bit more game time.
Marnus van der Merwe 9: The debutant hooker had a dream match and could be the next big thing at No 2. What a performance. His lineout throwing was spot on, he scored two tries and was busy all over the field.
Marnus van der Merwe scores a try on debut. Picture: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
Boan Venter 8: He was all-powerful at scrum time, winning a few penalties and getting his team on the front foot. He was busy in the tight-loose and also scored a good try. He will be a happy and satisfied man.
Bench 8: The front row of Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch did their bit to keep the Bok scrum dominant, while RG Snyman's power runs and off-loading game came to the fore as the game opened up.
Kwagga Smith was as busy as ever, he was excellent receiving kicks and carried and cleaned rucks regularly.
Faf de Klerk added energy to the performance late on and chipped the ball into space for Edwill van der Merwe's second try, while Handre Pollard played a part in Damian Willemse's try, he kicked and collected a kick, and he scored himself in a calming, strong cameo late on.
Willemse made a few errors, but he tackled nicely and will be pleased with his try.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rassie sings praises of young guns as Boks wrap up training camp
Rassie sings praises of young guns as Boks wrap up training camp

The Citizen

time32 minutes ago

  • The Citizen

Rassie sings praises of young guns as Boks wrap up training camp

The reigning world champions will next turn their attention to the Wallabies, who they face in their competition opener next weekend. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was full of praise for the three U20 stars who participated in the reigning world champions' two-week training camp in Joburg. Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead, who were all part of the World Rugby U20 Championship-winning Junior Springboks team from just a few weeks ago, were invited to train with the senior team for the last two weeks. The Boks wrapped up their training camp on Thursday, ahead of the 2025 Rugby Championship which gets under way next weekend, with Erasmus' team hosting the Australian Wallabies at Ellis Park. The teams will meet again a week later in Cape Town. The Boks are the defending champions. 'Experience how we operate' 'It was fantastic to have Bathobele, Cheswill, and Haashim with us, and it was impressive to see their enthusiasm and the way they grabbed the opportunity with both hands on and off the field,' said Erasmus. 'We were very pleased with the way they slotted into the training sessions and used the time to interact with the Springbok players and learn from them, even though we made it clear that there was no pressure on them to grasp all our structures and systems. 'It was rather an opportunity for them to experience how we operate in the team and to expose them to what is required to perform at this level, and they certainly embraced the opportunity.' The three U20 players will now return to their respective unions and be available for Currie Cup duty. The Boks will continue their Rugby Championship preparations from Monday where their attention will be more specifically focused on the Wallabies. 'Amazing' to train with the Boks Jooste said it was a privilege to have been able to train alongside the world champions. 'The past two weeks with the Boks have been incredible,' said Jooste. 'As a Junior Bok, it was a privilege to be among the best, and although it was tough, I learned a lot. I walk away with new insights, more confidence and an even greater hunger to grow.' Pead, who was in his second season with the Junior Boks this year, said the experience had been 'amazing' while Hlekani said he was able to improve the techniques he was lacking in. 'I've learnt valuable lessons, and the experience I gained will truly go a long way,' said Pead, who was second on the list of top try scorers at the World Rugby U20 Championship. Hlekani added: 'I'll definitely take what I learned and use it to improve my game, and hopefully we'll get another opportunity like this in future. I'm going to keep pushing, stay hungry, and hopefully one day I'll be part of this squad.'

What SA U20 stars had to say about Springbok experience
What SA U20 stars had to say about Springbok experience

The South African

time2 hours ago

  • The South African

What SA U20 stars had to say about Springbok experience

Junior Springboks Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead were invited to train with the senior team for the last two weeks in line with Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus' plans to continue building squad depth and nurturing the young talent for the future. Here is what they had to say about the unique experience. Haashim Pead ADVERTISEMENT 'I've learnt valuable lessons, and the experience I gained will truly go a long way,' said the scrumhalf, who was second on the list of top try scorers at the World Rugby U20 Championship. 'Thanks to the coaches and players. I believe I have grown in the last two weeks, and with these high standards, it definitely motivated me to give my absolute best so that I can reach the level they are at. 'I'm truly grateful for this opportunity and I hope that there many more of these to come in the future. It made me realise that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I'll certainly take all the lessons and apply it to my game, and hopefully I'll keep growing and become a better rugby player and human being.' Bathobele Hlekani 'It was very special, and I learned a lot from the forwards as well as the coaching staff,' the powerful loose forward commented. 'The last two weeks have allowed me to improve the techniques I was lacking in, and the intensity of the training sessions were very high, which was great for us. ADVERTISEMENT 'I'll definitely take what I learned and use it to improve my game, and hopefully we'll get another opportunity like this in future. I'm going to keep pushing, stay hungry, and hopefully one day I'll be part of this squad.' Cheswill Jooste 'The past two weeks with the Springboks have been incredible,' said the winger, who still played for the SA U18s last year. 'As a Junior Bok, it was a privilege to be among the best, and although it was tough, I learned a lot. I walk away with new insights, more confidence and an even greater hunger to grow. 'It was particularly memorable for me to be inspired and motivated by the players I look up to and who are already where I'd like to be. They didn't only share their knowledge, but also their energy and spirit of unity. 'I'd like to thank everyone who made this experience possible. I am truly grateful for every lesson, every tip, and every piece of encouragement. This is just the beginning.' LATEST SPRINGBOK SQUAD FOR THE START OF THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers). How excited are you about these young talents? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Where is 'absent' Juarno Augustus after Springbok call-up?
Where is 'absent' Juarno Augustus after Springbok call-up?

The South African

time3 hours ago

  • The South African

Where is 'absent' Juarno Augustus after Springbok call-up?

When Juarno Augustus emerged as the standout Junior Springbok star and Player of the Tournament in the 2017 U20 Championship, very few would have predicted that he would remain uncapped at Springbok level at the age of 27. Nevertheless, his outstanding form for the Northampton Saints last season did not go unnoticed, and he finally received his first call-up to a Springbok alignment camp earlier this year. With the likes of Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw injured, it appeared to the be the perfect opportunity for Augustus to make his senior Springbok debut after gaining some all-important experience overseas. Yet, Augustus was ultimately unable to report for duty with the Springboks, and the powerful loose forward remained out of the picture when Rassie Erasmus revealed the squad for the start of the Rugby Championship? Unfortunately, matters have become complicated at club level after Augustus took the difficult decision to leave Northampton and make a move to Irish club Ulster. Augustus needed to be cleared by Northampton Saints to join Irish team Ulster, but he failed his exit medical, and ultimately SA Rugby cannot interfere with this process until it is cleared up. Although his exact injury has not been specified, it also appears that it is perhaps more serious than first thought. 'He's struggling with his back, if I remember correctly,' Erasmus told the media recently .'He's also between two clubs now. We can't bring him in with an injury and do the rehabilitation, but he's still with Ulster. So it's a bit of a technical one.' It now appears unlikely that Augustus will feature in the Rugby Championship, and he may need to once again rediscover some form and fitness at club level before finally getting his long-awaited opportunity with the Springboks.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store