Springboks Player Ratings From 38-22 Loss To Wallabies At Ellis Park
Springboks Player Ratings From 38-22 Loss To Wallabies At Ellis Park
See the Springboks vs. Wallabies player ratings after Australia staged a 38-22 comeback in Johannesburg, stunning South Africa in The Rugby Championship.
Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies shook up the rugby world as they scored 38 unanswered points to down the Springboks 38-22 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Trailing 22-5 at halftime, Australia looked dead and buried, only for skipper Harry Wilson to bring the team racing back into the contest with a pair of super tries.
Scores to Joseph Sua’ali’I, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright sealed the deal for the visitors.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Every Match Of The 2025 Rugby Championship
- The 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: The Full List
- World Rugby Rankings As Rugby Championship Begins
Entering the contest as heavy underdogs, the Wallabies pulled off arguably their best victory of the past 20 years with a monstrous comeback that has blown The Rugby Championship wide open.
Here is how the Springboks players fared in Johannesburg:
1. Ox Nche - 6
The Bok loosehead dominated the scrum early and gave James Slipper serious problems, highlighted by his powerful 39th-minute demolition.
But while his set-piece work was brutal, Nche’s accuracy around the breakdown wasn’t as sharp, conceding a costly penalty that handed Australia momentum.
A mixed day where peaks were high, but lapses mattered.
2. Malcolm Marx – 7
This was vintage Marx — line-out throws on target, ferocious hits at the breakdown and intelligent carries through traffic.
He even showcased a rare skill by trapping a high ball with his boot before linking play.
A performance that underlined why he’s one of World Rugby’s premier hookers, though ultimately his efforts weren’t enough.
3. Wilco Louw - 7
For 59 minutes, Louw had the upper hand, repeatedly making life miserable for James Slipper in the scrums.
His departure, though, coincided with the Wallabies’ resurgence up front, as South Africa lost their stranglehold.
At the breakdown, too, the Boks missed his physical edge once he left.
A strong, but incomplete, outing.
4. Eben Etzebeth - 5
Etzebeth lived on the edge of the offside line all game, disrupting Australia’s rhythm and forcing hurried decisions.
Beyond the physicality and carries, his unseen work on kick chase was immense.
He linked play with offloads and clean breaks, but when momentum shifted, calls stopped going his way. A commanding but frustrated figure.
5. Lood de Jager - 4
A first half of solid graft turned sour with a late line-out fumble, ending South Africa’s momentum before the break.
He lasted only five minutes after halftime before being replaced, and his absence was felt as the Boks engine room faltered.
A disappointing short night for a player usually so dependable.
6. Marco van Staden – 3
His combative style is built on pushing breakdown limits, but against the Wallabies, he crossed the line too often.
Penalized repeatedly, he failed to adapt as Australia grew in confidence.
When his pack needed bite in the second half, van Staden’s influence faded badly.
Easily one of his poorest outings in green.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit - 6
The standout Springboks forward.
Du Toit mixed trademark defensive brutality with an ever-growing role in attack. He produced a classy try assist, offloaded with intent and carried strongly.
Even as the game slipped away, he remained relentless, though two missed tackles blemished his ledger.
Still, a warrior’s shift from the reigning player of the year.
8. Siya Kolisi - 6
Wearing No. 8, Kolisi showed why he may be better suited to this role at this stage of his career.
His try, finished with aerial grace, was a highlight, and he repeatedly punched holes from the back of the line-out.
The captain led physically but couldn’t prevent the collapse around him.
9. Grant Williams – 4
Sharp and dangerous when South Africa was dominant, Williams’ sniping runs forced Australian defenders into panicked reactions. But once momentum shifted, his game management evaporated. Kicks went astray, his pace put teammates under pressure and he looked rattled.
A classic case of a scrumhalf thriving only when conditions are perfect.
10. Manie Libbok – 4
A night he’ll want to forget.
Libbok dazzled early with his long passing and kicking variety, tormenting Australia’s back three. But under pressure, he lost control — a wild interception try, defensive misses and a botched restart sealed his misery.
Five missed tackles and poor decisions turned him from an asset to a liability.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7.5
The Boks’ best back.
He scored inside two minutes, defended heroically with cover tackles and harassed the Wallabies on kick chase.
His positional sense saved South Africa twice from certain tries, and he worked tirelessly.
Clearly frustrated by teammates’ errors, Arendse was a rare bright spark in an otherwise gloomy backline display.
12. Andre Esterhuizen - 6
Power was his weapon, and it told.
Constantly smashing through defenders, Esterhuizen scored a well-taken try and created front-foot ball all half.
He gained 63 meters before the break, giving South Africa momentum.
While less prominent after halftime, he laid down a marker that De Allende must respect when he returns.
13. Jesse Kriel - 3
Busy in the first half, Kriel worked tirelessly in defence and attack, but when the heat rose, mistakes crept in.
His decision not to kick when space was there put Arendse in trouble, and being handed off by Tom Wright was poor.
His blown opportunity late symbolized South Africa’s collapse.
14. Edwill van der Merwe - 3
A difficult outing.
While he covered one tricky kick smartly, he was beaten on the outside too often and conceded penalties.
Miscommunications with teammates cost South Africa dearly, particularly a misjudged overrun that spoiled a near-certain try.
Caught out defensively multiple times, this was not the statement performance he needed.
15. Aphelele Fassi - 4
He was bright in the opening exchanges and carried with intent and making ground, but his influence faded dramatically.
By the time he was hooked in the second half, he had become a passenger.
Ten carries for 29 meters tells the story: lots of effort, little impact.
Another missed chance to cement his place.
Replacements
16. Bongi Mbonambi – 2
Expected to add impact, but instead looked flat.
The line-outs wobbled, his breakdown presence was subdued and he seemed off the pace from the moment he entered.
A rare but concerning off-night for the veteran.
17. Boan Venter – 2
Failed to live up to the ‘Bomb Squad’ reputation.
At scrum time, he lacked Louw’s intensity, allowing the Wallabies to gain confidence.
With Jan-Hendrik Wessels returning soon, this showing won’t help his selection case.
18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – 2
Huge frame, little influence.
In a contest where the Boks needed dominant scrummaging, Ntlabakanye was spent within minutes.
Offered minimal impact beyond the set-piece, where he also struggled.
19. Franco Mostert – 3
Anonymous by his standards.
Some tidy work in the line-out, but invisible around the park.
At this level, that simply isn’t enough, and his age is beginning to show.
20. Kwagga Smith – 3
Introduced as a concussion replacement, but his penalty gifted Australia its opening try.
Lacked his trademark speed to the breakdown, where Fraser McReight dominated him.
Another veteran whose sharpness looks to be fading.
21. Cobus Reinach – 2
Offered little spark.
His once-blistering pace has dulled, and he was slow to breakdowns, giving the Wallabies poachers the edge.
A performance that echoed the broader malaise of South Africa’s bench.
22. Canan Moodie – 2
Hardly touched the ball, finishing with just one carry.
When chances don’t come, top players go looking for work — Moodie didn’t, and it showed.
An anonymous shift.
23. Damian Willemse – 3
A disastrous cameo.
One powerful run aside, Willemse was plagued by errors, poor decision-making and lapses under the high ball.
Lacked composure, and Australia targeted him successfully with the boot.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.