An exhilarating three match sequence in opposition to the visiting Welsh staff got here to an finish with a robust 30-14 win for the Springboks over the previous weekend, handing the house aspect a 2-1 sequence win.
Despite being pushed all the way in which by a staff that wasn’t anticipated to place up as huge a problem that they did, the Boks had quite a few gamers who put their arms up and did their reputations a world of excellent.
Here are 5 gamers who have raised their profile forward of the Rugby Championship.
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Damian Willemse
Springbok utility again Damian Willemse was my private participant of the sequence, after he put in incredible shows every time on the sector. He was one in all solely 4 gamers to characteristic in each recreation, together with Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx and Vincent Koch, with him beginning the primary and third video games whereas taking part in off the bench within the second.
Willemse had rather a lot to reside as much as with coach Jacques Nienaber calling him the following Frans Steyn, and he answered the decision with some glowing shows. He confirmed his wonderful versatility, taking part in at fullback and flyhalf in recreation one and fullback and centre within the third match, taking part in with aplomb wherever he was stationed.
Jaden Hendrikse
A shock candidate for participant of the sequence, Jaden Hendrikse missed out on choice the primary match, earlier than an assured efficiency within the second noticed him most well-liked to Faf de Klerk for the decider, with him then placing in his finest efficiency.
Nienaber defined that that they had been watching Hendrikse over your entire season and that alongside together with his second recreation efficiency that had compelled them to tip their hand and again him for the ultimate.
Nienaber additionally admitted that De Klerk now needed to battle for his beginning berth, and with Hendrikse placing in a prime displaying within the decider, he has made certain that De Klerk will know that it gained’t be a simple feat going ahead.
Malcolm Marx
Had he not needed to play off the bench in each match of the sequence, Marx might have been a contender for participant of the sequence, however as an alternative needed to accept being my affect participant of the sequence.
Bongi Mbonambi had a robust sequence himself and didn’t do something incorrect, however the spark introduced by Marx each time he hit the sector was simple. That might have been made much more apparent because of the Boks struggles on the breakdown over the sequence, with Marx proving an immense presence in that side of the sport, nonetheless his ball-carrying, scrum, tackling and lineout work was all excellent as nicely.
The Boks, as all the time, are blessed to have two utterly world class entrance rows.
Handre Pollard
Although not the right Bok return, Pollard’s efficiency within the third Test decider warrants his inclusion on this listing. With the Boks solely backing two specialist flyhalves for the sequence and Elton Jantjies producing a horror present within the first Test, all the eye shifted to Pollard who was again at 10 for the second, with him additionally captaining the staff.
He put in an honest efficiency within the second Test, however regarded to nonetheless be discovering his ft, whereas he additionally missed a vital penalty that may have saved the Boks far sufficient forward within the match.
But his third Test displaying was then miles higher with him nailing all his kicks and attacking the road brilliantly all through the match as he scored 20 of the Boks’ 30 factors and arguably ought to have seen him handed the man-of-the-match award.
Kurt-Lee Arendse
The Boks’ second Test outing noticed them title an experimental staff of largely inexperienced in-form gamers from the previous season, with 19 modifications made to the match 23 from the opening recreation and 6 debutants unfold throughout the starters and bench.
One of these debutants was Bulls utility again Kurt-Lee Arendse who lined up on the wing and put in a glowing show. He confirmed precisely what he can do on assault with quite a few thrilling runs within the match, nevertheless it was on defence the place he fronted up one of the best, displaying that regardless of his small stature he was greater than capable of match as much as the physicality of Cheslin Kolbe, with him making some excellent tackles.
With Kolbe selecting up an harm within the third Test decider and now a doubt for the Rugby Champs, Arendse might get an opportunity to shine as soon as once more.