The fourth most-capped Springbok of all-time Eben Etzebeth led the way in a sloppy all-round performance from the Springboks against the Pumas on Saturday.
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BELOW WE HAND OUT SOME PLAYER RATINGS TO THE STANDOUT SPRINGBOKS
Eben Etzebeth 8/10
It was encouraging to see Etzebeth back to his physically dominant best, following his muted performance for the Springboks against the All Blacks a fortnight ago. He capped off this fine performance with a try from a destructive run down the wing and over the top of an Argentina would-be tackler.
It’s fitting that this type of dominant display, which has been a trademark throughout his career, came in his 112th Test which saw him move above John Smit as the fourth most-capped Springbok of all time.
Malcolm Marx 8/10
Has Marx proved once and for all that he his the best Springbok hooker and should start every Test from now until the World Cup? The answer is a simple ‘yes’ and if that isn’t the case, it very well should be.
Marx was in beast mode against the Pumas and arguably produced the most impactful performance of the match for the Springboks. His came up with one monstrous ball carry after the other, several belting tackle and was a constant menace at the breakdown.
Frans Malherbe 8/10
The veteran front rower took the Argentine props to the cleaners at scrum time and his overall work-rate across the park didn’t go unnoticed either.
For a big man, Malherbe sure got around to make several telling tackles in the face of wave after wave of Pumas attacking plays.
Steven Kitshoff 8/10
The Spicy Plum completes what was a superb all-round front row his play. Like Marx, Kitshoff basically serve as an extra loose forward by continually contesting at the breakdown like it’s his primary job.
Speaking of primary jobs, the Springboks’ smiling red-head anchored the scrum superbly and was strong in the collisions.
Marco van Staden 4/10
With loose forward places in the Springbok squad so hotly contested, Van Staden it didn’t do much to convince the national selectors of his significance to the cause.
He was completely anonymous in this game and
Marvin Orie 4/10
There’s a gulf in the quality of Orie’s overall contribution to that of his positional rival RG Snyman, who had a solid outing off the bench.
Orie started the game was quiet throughout the first half and it came as no surprise that he was hooked in the 46th minute of the contest in favour of Snyman.
Manie Libbok 4/10
Libbok is another player who isn’t really sure of his place in the Springboks’ World Cup squad and he needed to be at his best to convince Jacques Nienaber that he has what it takes to step up and consistently play at the same level as Handre Pollard.
Unfortunately for him and Nienaber, Libbok failed to take control the game and as a result the Springboks’ backline misfired throughout the clash. His luke-warm performance leaves Nienaber none the wiser on who to solve the Springboks’ flyhalf puzzle.
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THE TWO MATCH DAY SQUADS
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Lukhanyo Am, 23 Damian Willemse.
Argentina – 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Mateo Carreras, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Santiago Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Lucas Paulos, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c) 1 Thomas Gallo.
Subs: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro,18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Pedro Rubiolo, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Matias Moroni.
