PLAYER RATINGS: Kurt-Lee Arendse masterclass for Springboks

Hat-trick hero Kurt-Lee Arendse led the way in a stunning all-round performance from the Springboks against the Wallabies on Saturday.

The Springboks could not have asked for a better start to their 2023 Test season as they hammered the Wallabies 43-12 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

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BELOW, WE HAND OUT SOME PLAYER RATINGS TO THE STANDOUT SPRINGBOKS

Kurt-Lee Arendse (9/10)

The speedster has hardly put a foot wrong since the start of his Test career, and he added another hat-trick to his remarkable try-scoring tally on Saturday.

Arendse has now scored 10 tries in eight Tests, with the winger producing another delightful sequence of play at Loftus which will go straight onto the highlights reel for the Springboks.

Manie Libbok (8/10)

This was a really encouraging performance for Libbok, who started his first Test in the No 10 jersey and looked cool, calm and composed the entire time.

The Stormers star’s decision-making and distribution was superb, while his ability to kick with both feet sets him apart, and there is good reason to suggest he deserves to continue banking plenty of game-time before the World Cup.

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Willie le Roux (7/10)

The experienced general was typically omnipresent throughout the game, adding value with almost every touch of the ball.

Although Le Roux won’t grab many headlines, he once again marshalled proceedings in fine fashion, proving why he remains the first-choice fullback for the Springboks.

Andre Esterhuizen (7/10)

Another player who won’t grab many headlines, but he added physicality and a real ball-running threat to the encounter, and there was very little he did wrong on Saturday evening.

The Springboks do need clear cut cover at inside centre, and this was a performance where Esterhuizen proved that he can offer very reliable back up to Damian de Allende.

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Marco van Staden (8/10)

This was arguably one of the dynamic flanker’s most impactful performance in a Springbok jersey, and it could not have come at a better time as he slotted into the No 6 jersey vacated by injured Siya Kolisi.

Van Staden completed eight carries and made 37m, while he was a typical nuisance at the contact areas, with this massive effort from the loose forward sure to give the national coaches some food for thoughts as they consider their World Cup options.

Duane Vermeulen (7/10)

The stand-in Springboks skipper got better and better as the game went on, with some of his powerful ball carries serving as a reminder that the 37-year-old certainly isn’t done just yet.

It will be very interesting to see who the national coaches opt to back as their first-choice No 8, with Jasper Wiese perhaps just ahead in the pecking order, but Vermeulen did offer some encouraging signs on Saturday.

Jean Kleyn (6/10)

This was a very encouraging debut for the towering lock, who has made the switch in allegiance from Ireland, and enjoyed a very solid outing.

He was superb at the set pieces and in general play, and it does seem that the Springboks have made a very astute decision to rope him into their system.

*Honourable mentions: The entire front row was simply sensational in Pretoria, and all of Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff earn a 8/10

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