The back-to-back world champions had to overcome yet another controversial red card to a No 5 second rower to see off opposition in the third game of their end-of-year tour, this time beating Italy 32-14 in Turin. Here are our player ratings from a hotly-contested affair.
1. Boan Venter – 6
Like many other players, Venter was hooked in the first-half after Franco Mostert’s red card, though in his case it’s unclear whether it was a tactical sub or a response to something Rassie Erasmus had seen at scrumtime.
2. Johan Grobbelaar – 8
Probably Grobbelaar’s best performance in a Bok jersey. As expected, the Bulls hooker went the full distance and hi 10 of his 12 lineout darts, carried for 20-metres and made 10-tackles, while his breakdown work was top drawer. Deserves ,more opportunities going forward.
3. Zachary Porthen – 6
Played just the first quarter before being was subbed off, but in that time made two tackles and carried for 13-metres. Will hope he gets another chance against the Welsh in the final tour game.
4. Jean Kleyn – 6
Put his head down and grafted away after losing his lock partner, making seven hits on defence and looking solid at the lineout.
5. Franco Mostert – N/A
Not enough time to be rated after he received red for a “high” hit on Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi just 11-minutes in. Seriously, how much lower could the 198cm Mostert have gone?
6. Siya Kolisi – 7
Commanded the troops superbly after the early setback and was again sacrificed earlier than he would otherwise have been due to his side’s one-man disadvantage. Managed referee James Doleman well throughout.
7. BJ Dixon – N/A
Dixon was the first to be subbed following Mostert’s ejection in what was the Stormers loosie’s first game of the year. Disappointingly, the 27-year-old only got 13-minutes.
8. Marco van Staden – 8
Another big game from one of the side’s unsung heroes this season. Van Staden was everywhere, and finished with a try, 22-carry metres and 10-tackles in a sparkling showing at eighthman.
9. Morne van den Berg – 7
In some difficult Turin conditions, the Lions scrumhalf executed his basics really well and scored an all-important try on the hour-mark when his side were down to 13-men.
10. Handre Pollard – 7
The Iceman showed his experience, making good decisions throughout the contest to keep his team in strong positions and nailing all four of his kicks at goal.
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse – 6
Didn’t have that many opportunities but contested well in the air before being replaced early in the second-half.
12. Ethan Hooker – 7
Was shifted to wing early on but remained highly involved, chasing superbly and earning a first Test try in the final play of the match.
13. Canan Moodie – 7
Put in some typically big hits on a few Italian forwards and showed some great skills to put Grant Willliams away for what as effectively the try that sealed the result for the men in green and gold.
14. Edwill van der Merwe – 6
Van der Merwe’s work rate is always right up there and he showed some good handling at times but didn’t have too much to do in what was a strange game at times.
15. Damian Willemse – 8
Man of the Match on the day, Willemse was everywhere at the back, fielding Italian kicks left right and centre. He may be more potent closer to the action at No 12, but the uber talented Stormer remains a high quality option at fullback.
Subs – 9
As previously stated, there was plenty of movement off the Bok bench in the wake of the Mostert red, with Erasmus making clinical decisions quickly to negate that early setback. And, as it usually the case, his calls were vindicated, with tight five forwards Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw and Ruan Nortje in particular having giant performances to help steady the ship and ultimately help guide the way to victory.
