Ardie Savea was his usual brilliant self this weekend. Image: X/@sin_bin_squad

Rugby World Cup 2023: Stats Leaders (Round 6)

This is how the Bokke matches up to the best stats leaders after the pool stages of the World Cup.

by Jade Smith

16-10-2023 13:41

in Rugby World Cup 2023

Ardie Savea was his usual brilliant self this weekend. Image: X/@sin_bin_squad

In what was arguably four of the best quarterfinals in Rugby World Cup history, the intense pool stages and thrilling quarters have seen 16 of the 20 teams exit the competition. South Africa has successfully advanced, and let’s take a look at how they compare to the top statistical leaders of the tournament thus far.

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup 2023: Stats Leaders (Round 5)

TOP TRY SCORERS OF THE WORLD CUP

Damian Penaud still holds the top spot on the scoring charts despite not adding to his tally during the epic showdown against the Springboks in Paris. However, with France exiting in the quarterfinals, Penaud won’t have the opportunity to extend his impressive 6-try count. The same fate awaits Welshman Rees-Zammit, Scotsman Graham, and Irishman Aki. On the other hand, the New Zealand wingers, each dotted down against Ireland, now sit at five apiece. Cobus Reinach’s four tries continue to be the highest among the South Africans.

Damian Penaud (FRA) – 6
Henry Arundell (ENG) – 5*
Damian McKenzie (NZ) – 5*
Louis Rees-Zammit (WAL) – 5
Darcy Graham (SCO) – 5
Bundee Aki (IRE) – 5
Will Jordan (NZ) – 5*
Leicester Fainga’anuku (NZ) – 5*
Cobus Reinach (SA) – 4*

Damian Penaud 🫣#RWC2023 | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/WEJo1GoWCa
— Rugby World Cup FR 🇫🇷 (@RugbyWorldCupFR) October 15, 2023

MOST OFFLOADS AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Piutau maintains his lead in the offload stats, although Tonga’s pool stage exit means he won’t be able to add to his tally. Ardie Savea performed exceptionally for the All Blacks, and his single offload in the match against Ireland places him as the sole player remaining in the tournament among the top 5 in offloads.

Salesi Piutau (TON) – 10
Antoine Dupont (FRA) – 10
Duncan Paia’aua (SAM) – 8
Montanna Ioane (ITA) – 8
Ardie Savea (NZ) – 7*
Theo McFarland (SAM) – 7
Antoine Dupont (FRA) – 7
RG Snyman (SA) – 4*

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup 2023: Stats Leaders (Round 4)

MOST POINTS AT THE WORLD CUP

Thomas Ramos has extended his lead at the top of the points table with an additional 13 points. Catching up to him will be challenging for Damian McKenzie or Emiliano Boffelli, especially considering the considerable gap. This is still the case, even with France being eliminated. Los Pumas and the All Blacks are set to face off.

Thomas Ramos (FRA) – 74
Johnny Sexton (IRE) – 57
Damian McKenzie (NZ) – 53*
Emiliano Boffelli (ARG) – 51*
Rikiya Matsuda (JPN) – 46
Cobus Reinach (SA) – 20*

🚫 @CheslinKolbe on that charge down:

"I think it definitely helped that I played with Thomas [Ramos] for six years and knew what he was doing.

"I did everything by the book, and within the rules, I was behind the line before he started his run.

"I tried to run as fast as… pic.twitter.com/QDuaVvjSJN
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 16, 2023

MOST CLEAN BREAKS RUGBY WORLD CUP

Damian Penaud continues to dominate in another statistical category. However, with France’s exit from the competition courtesy of South Africa, he’ll be left with the fortunate number 13 as his final tally for clean breaks. While it might be surprising, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to envision Cheslin Kolbe, who leads the clean break stats for South Africa, putting together a string of games with 10 or more clean breaks in a single match.

Damian Penaud (FRA) – 13
Bundee Aki (IRE) – 10
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (FRA) – 10
Will Jordan (NZ) – 9*
Darcy Graham (SCO) – 9
Cheslin Kolbe (SA) – 3*

Talk about end to end rugby!

Louis Bielle-Biarrey with the long-range finish 🔥#RWC2023 | #FRAvNAM pic.twitter.com/HKCfLeMvDG
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 4, 2023

MOST TACKLES AT RWC

With all the top tacklers now out of the competition, it opens the door for Mostert, an absolute workhorse for the Boks, to step in and make a tremendous number of tackles, potentially leading the tackle stats for the tournament.