The Springboks thrashed Wales 45-12 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday to complete a first clean sweep on their annual end-of-year European tour since 2013.
The Springboks closed out their season with one of their most comfortable and lopsided victories to end the calendar year with an 84.61% win rate (11 wins from 13 Tests).
Admittedly, the Springboks weren’t at their sharpest when it came to execution, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Wales were no match for the South Africans.
The Springboks — backs and forwards – were physically dominant against a Welsh outfit who finds itself in the throes of an identity crisis more than anything else.
Erasmus’ Springbok side outscored Wales seven tries to two, with Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Elrigh Louw, Gerhard Steenekamp, Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse all getting their names on the scoresheet.
The win all but cemented the Springboks’ status as the No 1 ranked Test team in the world until next year and also enhanced South Africa’s shot at getting nominated for the World Rugby Team of the Year as well as Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth’s chances of snatching the Player of the Year gong.
With that in mind, here are some key player ratings for the Springbok players based on their outstanding individual contributions.
SPRINGBOK PLAYER RATINGS
All scores out of 10
15. Aphelele Fassi – 7
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 7
13. Jesse Kriel – 7
12. Damian de Allende – 8
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 8
10. Jordan Hendrikse – 7
9. Jaden Hendrikse – 6
8. Jasper Wiese – 8
7. Elrigh Louw – 8
6. Siya Kolisi (c) – 7
5. Franco Mostert – 8
4. Eben Etzebeth – 8
3. Wilco Louw – 8
2. Johan Grobbelaar – 8
1. Thomas du Toit – 8
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Gerhard Steenekamp
18. Vincent Koch
19. Marco van Staden
20. RG Snyman
21. Cameron Hanekom
22. Cobus Reinach
23. Handre Pollard
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