Springbok player ratings: Who stood out – and who flopped – in 1st British & Irish Lions Test

The world champion Springboks went down 22-17 to the British & Irish Lions in the first Test at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

READ | SIYA KOLISI LAMENTS LOSING TOO MANY HIGH-BALLS: WE’LL FIT IT, STARTING TOMORROW!

It was a classic case of a tale of two halves as the Springboks jumped out to a healthy 12-3 lead at half-time, only to ‘lose’ the second half 19-5 to a resurgent British & Irish Lions side.

READ | CREDIT TO SPRINGBOK COACH JACQUES NIENABER FOR NOT BLAMING COVID AND MATCH OFFICIALS

The teams will do battle in the second – and potentially series decider – next Saturday, 31 July.

But who stood out – and who flopped – in the opening Test?

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15 Willie le Roux
Not too many chances with the ball in hand and had a poor day on defence – making just one of the five tackles he attempted. Substituted in the second half and place could be in jeopardy for next weekend.
4/10

14 Cheslin Kolbe
The ball did not flow his way in the first half (remember what Peter de Villiers said?). Better in second half work rate-wise. Made his tackles, but lost the aerial battle. Springboks need his X-factor to thrive.
5/10

13 Lukhanyo Am
Massive early hit on Elliot Daly set a marker and was one of the team’s more impressive performers.
7/10

12 Damian de Allende
Conceded an offside penalty – and was lucky to escape several others – but made his tackles and won a couple of turnovers. Was his team’s most productive backline player. Centre partnership with Am not in doubt going forward.
7/10

11 Makazole Mapimpi
Was not an ideal Test for wings on attack. His defence was sounds, did all that was expected after a Covid-19 positive result had placed him in doubt ahead of kick-off.
6/10

10 Handre Pollard
Playing in his 50th Test was the Springboks’ best played in the first half giving them a 12-3 lead. Missed a kick – and a crucial tackle – but remains lightyears ahead of nearest challenger for No 10 jersey.
6/10

9 Faf de Klerk
Some good out of hand kicking. Was solid on defence – missing just one tackle – and won a turnover. Scored a try. Continues to run obstructive lines at every opposition up-and-under. Beggars belief match officials haven’t picked up on it.
6/10

8 Kwagga Smith
Gave his all in a position he hasn’t played much rugby in. Offers 100% in effort but lacks in size and weight. Springbok scrum was considerably outweighed. Conceded three second half penalties. Springboks are missing Duane Vermeulen BIG TIME.
6.5/10

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
His workrate and physicality were as has come to be expected, top-notch. But wasn’t omni-present as in previous Tests. Conceded a crucial penalty late in the second half.
6/10

6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
Played a much tighter game (read: quieter game), but did not shirk his responsibilities – making seven tackles. Conceded a couple of penalties.
5/10

5 Franco Mostert
Continues to put in the hard yards without much fanfare. Hit every ruck hard. Has Lood de Jager breathing down his neck as a possible replacement for the second Test.
6/10

4 Eben Etzebeth
Titantic battle with opposite number Maro Itoje who shaded the war to pick up the man of the match award. Sterling work done on defence. Stats show he made 10 tackles, missed two and won one turnover.
7/10

3 Trevor Nyakane
Part of a front row that raised eyebrows when the team was announced, but more than held his own in the scrums and made all his tackles. will be super interesting to see what Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s thinking is for next weekend.
6.5/10

2 Bongi Mbonambi
Solid if unspectacular. Starting position will be under pressure from Malcolm Marx who made 11 tackles in the 40 minutes he played.
5/10

1 Ox Nche
Strong and powerful at scrum-time and with ball in hand. Made his tackles. Deserves another chance.
7/10