We pick five players that shone during the Springboks’ 31-27 come-from-behind victory over the All Blacks in the third round of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Kwagga Smith
While the entire Bomb Squad deserve kudos for the way they impacted the game when they came on in the second half, it was Kwagga who again underlined his status as arguably the best super-sub in the game. The live-wire loose forward scored a try and made a number of key tackles and turnovers to change the complexion of the game late on and put his side in the driver’s seat after it looked for all money that the Boks were headed for defeat.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
Du Toit took home the official Player of the Match prize after producing another towering display against the old foe. Despite starting the Test at No 4, continual injury changes to the Bok pack meant he spent the middle part of the contest in the back row before shifting back to lock. This didn’t disrupt his performance in the slightest though, with the 32-year-old remaining solid at the lineout and in the tight-loose.
Pieter-Steph du Toit v 🇳🇿
— Rugby Bits (@RugbyBits) September 1, 2024
⏰ 80 Minutes
🏃♂️ 24 Meters Gained
💪 11/12 Tackles
🛒 9 Carries
🤝 5 Passes
🛫 4 Line Outs
✈️ 1 Line Out Steal
❌ 1 Turnover Conceded pic.twitter.com/klFZFGKvbv
Aphelele Fassi
The Weekend Special was one of the players under the most pressure to perform heading into this one, and aside from an early yellow card and the odd error, he came through very well. It remains unlikely that he will unseat Damian Willemse as the side’s incumbent fullback after the latter’s return from injury, but Fassi proved that he can be a solid back-up option the highest level. He’ll look to push on in the Cape Town Test this weekend as his stocks continue to rise.
Aphelele Fassi on the dance floor 📸🕺 pic.twitter.com/MQl9I73WC4
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 1, 2024
Jasper Wiese
The barnstorming No 8 was as destructive as ever on his return from a lengthy ban and didn’t look off the pace one bit. His brutal work on both sides of the ball kept the All Blacks’ ball carriers honest throughout his time on the pitch, while his work on the deck was impressive too – coming up with two turnovers in the first half. The former Leicester Tiger has surely locked down the Bok No 8 jumper for the foreseeable future.
Cheslin Kolbe
One never quite knows what to expect when Chessie gets his hands on the ball. The man is a miracle worker, and though he didn’t necessarily conjure up too much in something of a cagey affair, his work rate and game awareness were central to the Boks’ cause. There also aren’t too many 1.71m, 77kg wingers around capable of putting Scotty Barrett on his backside.
