Springbok Player Ratings: Big Lood puts on a big show, Tshituka shines
The Springbok team showed up and showed out in Cape Town on Saturday as they outscored the Barbarians eight tries to one in their exhibition match to retain the Qatar Cup.
There's no stopping the Springbok juggernaut, at least not for Barbarians, who plunged to a hefty defeat against the world champions.
Here we dish out some key player ratings:
Lood de Jager 9/10
Three super touches and carries leading up to the opening try scored by Malcolm Marx. Two crucial lineout steals close to the half-hour mark when the Barbarians were looking for a way into the contest. He capped off his fine return to international rugby after a two-year hiatus with a try in the second half.
Vincent Tshituka 9/10
Used at the lineout as both a jumper and lifter in this clash, the debutant did his primary job to perfection. But his work in the loose and in openplay were superb too. Tshituka rounded of his first (of many) Bok game with two well-deserved tries.
Kurt-Lee Arendse 8/10
In his first game back on South African soil, the speedster reminded the everyone just why he is coach Rassie Erasmus' first-choice winger. The dynamic runner breached the BaaBaas' defence at will, and while some of his
Aphelele Fassi 8/10
With this performance, he confirmed that he is not conceding the Springbok No 15 jersey anytime soon. Fassi was rock solid at the back in defence and served as one of South Africa's greatest creative sources on attack.
Morne van den Berg 7/10
As the race for a spot in the Springbok match-day squads for the upcoming Test series heats up, Van den Berg just edged ahead of the chasing pack at scrumhalf. He marshalled the game excellently and played a pivotal role in cover defence.
Honourable mentions: Cheslin Kolbe and Asenathi Ntlabakanye
Kolbe was named the official Man of the Match for his hot-stepping display in front of a crowd that went ballistic every time he touched the ball. Meanwhile, Ntlabakanye not only held his own against the well-accomplished Cian Healy, he completely outplayed the Irish legend.
WHO DO YOU THINK WAS THE BEST SPRINGBOK ON THE FIELD TODAY?
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