15 Willie le Roux (4)
Couldn't catch a cold on the day. Poor under the high ball and also knocked on a ball in the bread basket with the Boks on attack towards the end of the first half. Was a bit better after the break.
14 Cheslin Kolbe (6)
Slipped a Japan attacker in 14th minute, but made up for it with a super high ball catch in a quiet first half. More involved in the second half, making a number of tackles.
13 Lukanyo Am (8)
Timed his rushed defence to perfection and will be happy with his outing. Must think twice about a few 50-50 passes though.
12 Damian de Allende (8.5)
Unlucky not to have a great outing rewarded with a try when his five-pointer was chalked off before half time. Made a total of 14 tackles and was a serious
contender for Man of the Match.
FINISHER: Makazole Mapimpi showed he is an exceptional finisher. Picture: Eugene Hoshiko/AP.
11 Makazole Mapimpi (8)
Two tries for Mapimpi on the day proved his quality as a finisher.
10 Handre Pollard (6)
With De Klerk controlling the game, the flyhalf wasn’t that
influential. But he made two great high-ball catches, and unfortunately missed one easy penalty conversion.
9 Faf de Klerk (8.5)
Back to his best, De Klerk embodied the Boks’ hardekwas-geid on defence controlled the game expertly. Rewarded with the Man of the Match award and also scored a try.
8 Duane Vermeulen (6)
Made one Thor-like hit in the match, but never stopped looking for work.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (5.5)
Uncharacteristically missed a few first-time tackles.
LEADER OF THE PACK: Siya Kolisi showed his determination at looseforward. Picture: Mark Baker/Reuters.
6 Siya Kolisi (7)
Best looseforward on the day, the captain made a vital turnover that led to a try and also made a total of 11 tackles.
5 Lood de Jager (7.5)
Made the most tackles for the Springboks in the match with 15 and did more than his bit at
set-piece time.
4 Eben Etzebeth (7.5)
Was a menace on opposition ball at lineout time and simply didn’t stop playing as the Boks’ second-row bossed the game.
3 Frans Malherbe (7)
Malharbe worked hard and scrummed well in the match. Made five tackles and certainly gave his all.
2 Bongi Mbonambi (6)
Subbed off early in the second half, Mbonambi never stopped trying before the break and can’t be faulted for his performance.
1 Beast Mtawarira (6)
Sin-binned for a tip-tackle, but returned a beast at scrum time.