All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test One

Saturday, 22 August 2026 at 18:06

byRugby Rucker

All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks after Dave Rennie’s side secured a 1-0 series lead with an impressive victory in Johannesburg.

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New Zealand produced a statement performance to beat South Africa 33-16 in the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Will Jordan scored twice, with Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland and Luke Jacobson also crossing as the All Blacks pulled away from the Springboks late on.

Scroll down for All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks.

All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks

Ratings by Bruno Freire.

1. Ethan de Groot – 4/10

At first, he was one of the few All Black forwards to answer the physical challenge set forth by a titanic Springbok pack, with some strong involvements both in attack and defence.

However, multiple scrum penalties conceded marred a forgettable performance for De Groot, as he was substituted following a head clash with teammate Josh Lord late in the second half.

2. Codie Taylor – 5/10

Strong defensive performance from Taylor, who was one of only a few All Blacks who physically matched the Springboks in the first half.

In attack, he made several carries but made little headway against the blitzing Boks defence.

In the set-piece, he was obviously challenged by the overpowering force that is Wilco Louw. However, his lineout throws were exceptional, as per usual, and net him a higher score than his two partners in the starting front row.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 4/10

Lomax has always been somewhat of a scrum and defensive specialist, with statistically average numbers of carries in attack.

Today was much of the same, and while he did pressure the Springbok breakdown in the first half, he was ultimately crushed into submission by his green and gold adversaries.

4. Josh Lord – 4.5/10

Physically outmuscled during his time on the field, notably missing a few tackles during the Springbok period of dominance after the second All Black try.

Gains bonus points for a well-executed lineout throughout the first half, with many of the strong All Black moments coming off lineout ball.

Overall, a just below-average performance from the Chiefs lock prior to his unfortunate head injury substitution in the 37th minute.

5. Fabian Holland – 6.5/10

Considering his absence from any form of rugby in the last few months, his performance was pretty exceptional.

Being one of the main attacking ball carriers in the New Zealand pack, alongside an admirable showing in defence considering the opposition, were the hallmarks of his game.

He does lose points for a lineout that dropped in efficiency somewhat in the second half, which allowed the Springboks chances in New Zealand territory.

6. Tupou Vaa'i – 6.5/10

One of the standout wide players for New Zealand in the first half, assisting the 24th-minute try by the men in black.

He was also committed in defence, but not as standout as his flank partner.

A solid performance, with some lineout slip-ups, from the Auckland-born lock turned six.

7. Luke Jacobson – 7.5/10

One of perhaps the more doubted players in this All Black team, as Jacobson does seem somewhat like a workhorse compared to stallions like Savea, Lakai, Sititi and Vaa'i.

However, his performance today rose above expectations. While he did not start fantastically, he came alive in the second half with strong contributions at the breakdown and a well-taken try in the 59th minute.

8. Ardie Savea – 7.5/10

Compared to his astronomical standards, this was not an exceptional attacking performance from the All Black captain.

On the other hand, his defensive work and harassment of the Springbok breakdown were exceptional, and he stopped a potential attack from the Springboks through a steal in the 69th minute.

There is certainly more to come from Savea in this series.

9. Cam Roigard – 8/10

In a post-match interview, Ardie Savea described this Test as a boxing match, and if that's the case, then Roigard was very much like a prime Lomachenko.

Calmness under pressure combined with elite footwork and some of the best defensive kicking in the world.

Roigard managed the game with his clubmate Love fantastically as the All Blacks threw counterpunch after counterpunch at the heavyweight Springboks, largely led by his flat passing and expansive boot.

10. Ruben Love – 6/10

A good performance from the young Hurricanes fly-half. His best contributions were in his management of the game and astute kicks in behind the Springbok defensive line in the second half.

While he hasn't completely matched his club form at Test level, this is certainly one of his better performances, and he can only build from here.

11. Josh Moorby – 5/10

An okay performance from yet another Hurricanes player.

Moorby was tested and lost many aerial battles today but did gain significant attacking metres in the 15-metre channels.

His performance was capped off with a try in the 24th minute.

12. Jordie Barrett – 7/10

Fantastic defensive work rate from Barrett today, as he threw himself into the fight with gusto.

He made multiple try-saving contributions in the first and second halves, and his kicking was explosive and accurate out of the hand.

Unfortunately, he was targeted and exposed in the air by Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse, leading to chances for the Springboks.

13. Quinn Tupaea – 7/10

Another All Black who grew into the match.

The 13 defended well in the wide channels and largely limited the Springbok wingers to cutting inside when they had the ball.

Similarly to Barrett, he did not impose himself in the air, but that was equalled by his desire to carry the ball and punch holes in the green and gold blitz defence.

14. Will Jordan – 7.5/10

Well, it was rugby, and the result is a Will Jordan score in some measure.

The Crusaders winger was dominated aerially, but that was the only aspect of the game he faltered in.

Tries in the eighth and 74th minutes make his performance seem like an attacking masterclass. In fact, his best contributions were defensively and in transition.

The crowning moment was a stunning double-jackal effort in the 65th minute to completely halt the flow of the South African attack.

15. Damian McKenzie – 7.5/10

A strong attacking performance from McKenzie, who was rarely tested aerially today, with many South African kicks hung high and short.

On the ball, he was fantastic, putting his teammates away in holes, and in transition he shone.

His crowning moment came in the 57th minute as he almost assisted a Roigard try, which led to Luke Jacobson bundling over after the eventual scrum.

Replacements

16. Asafoa Aumua – 6.5/10

While Aumua’s poor lineout throws limited the All Blacks in the second half, he was essential in solidifying what became a resurgent scrum for his side.

He also contributed several times in attack with bruising carries.

17. George Bower – 6/10

While he was on during the scrum onslaught that the All Blacks suffered, he also contributed to their rebirth and squeezed a penalty out of the South African front row at a crucial moment during the second half.

Outside of his set-piece contributions, he wasn’t notable in defence or attack.

18. Fletcher Newell – 6/10

Similarly to Bower, Newell’s introduction was a turning point in the match as he turned the tide of the scrum and forced a double scrum substitution out of Erasmus, which in the rugby world should constitute a medal or award.

Similarly to Bower, he was unnoticeable in defence or attack.

19. Simon Parker – 5/10

Made little to no notable contributions throughout the game, but after he came on late in the first half, the All Blacks did gain in confidence and his power in the lock helped the key resurgence for the All Black scrum.

20. Peter Lakai – N/A

21. Kyle Preston – N/A

22. Anton Lienert-Brown – N/A

23. Leroy Carter – 5/10

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