"Miles off it" - Four Springboks Who Flopped in Win Over Wallabies

It was not a performance that will calm Rassie Erasmus’s nerves. The Springboks were scrappy for large periods, inconsistent at the set piece, and far too reliant on the boot of Handré Pollard, whose metronomic goal-kicking was the difference.

For the Wallabies, missed opportunities haunted them: James O’Connor’s three missed shots at goal and a disallowed Fraser McReight try proved costly.

Yet despite the win, several Springboks produced underwhelming performances. Here are four who struggled to make their mark.

Planet Rugby handed Fassi a 4/10, writing: "A few momentum-killing actions, including another overkicked punt that went out on the full. He did have bright moments in attack, including an up-and-under that he regathered himself. Ended the game in the sin bin."

Rugby 365 were more generous with a 6/10, noting: "The fullback took his first high ball with ease in the first minute. He looked more confident than last week. Moved to left wing when Feinbergh-Mngomezulu entered the fray. Made a great try-saving tackle in front of the Springbok’s uprights. Received a yellow card for a knock down with two minutes to go. O’Connors’ penalty kick was short."

Fassi remains a mercurial figure—capable of flashes of brilliance but undermined by costly errors. His late yellow card summed up a mixed evening.

Planet Rugby rated Moodie 4/10, saying: "While he did well to finish off his try and had some fairly decent reads on defence, his soft moments were notable. This included a lax attempt at covering the backfield that led to Max Jorgensen’s try in the second half. Had very few opportunities with the ball in hand before he was replaced by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu."

Rugby Pass offered a 5.5/10, observing: "Claimed a lovely cross-field kick from Pollard in the first half, showing his aerial strength, but he blotted the copybook by fumbling a difficult kick that handed Max Jorgensen a golden opportunity. Didn’t impose himself much beyond that. Withdrawn for Feinberg-Mngomezulu after an uneven display."

Moodie’s finishing touch was a highlight, but defensive lapses and a lack of attacking involvement left plenty to be desired.

Rugby Pass scored the midfielder 4/10 and were blunt in their assessment: "This was not the authoritative showing fans had hoped for. A few decent gain-line surges aside, he made too many handling errors and the chemistry with Kriel never clicked. Looked flat in attack and was culpable defensively on a couple of Wallaby breaks."

Rugby 365 gave him 5/10, writing: "The midfielder put in some big hits, also kept Joseph Su’aali’i honest with no room to attack. Made 14 tackles, the second most in the game."

The veteran centre’s defensive work rate was undeniable, but his lack of fluency in attack continues to raise questions about South Africa’s midfield balance.

Rugby Pass rated Mostert 5.5/10, noting: "Struggled to make an impression in the first half, often anonymous in both attack and defence. Did plenty of unseen donkey work but little to get the crowd going. Subbed out as Erasmus looked for more dynamism."

Rugby 365 were harsher with a 4.5/10: "The flanker had a relative quiet first half but put in some big tackles. Doesn’t look entirely comfortable at flank. Replaced in 66th minute."

Planet Rugby agreed with a 4/10: "Another tireless effort from the work-horse forward but had little success. Did the grunt work of hitting rucks and tackles but not his finest outing."

FLO Rugby also gave him a 4/10: "Endless graft, but very little impact. Mostert hit ruck after ruck and finished with double-digit tackles, but he rarely disrupted or carried with any effect. In a role where Pieter-Steph du Toit usually sets the tone physically, Mostert simply couldn’t match that influence."

A workmanlike but uninspired shift from Mostert, whose limitations at flank were again exposed.

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