PLAYER RATINGS: Super Springboks fly high in Paris thriller

The Springboks booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a riveting 29-28 win over France in the quarters in Paris on Sunday.

LIVE UPDATES | Rugby World Cup: Springboks beat France

WHO FIRED FOR THE SPRINGBOKS

4. Eben Etzebeth 9.5/10

In a match of this magnitude, Eben Etzebeth put in a performance that elevated him to the upper echelons of rugby union stardom. He was everywhere; even at the beginning when France played with an insane level of intensity which caught the Springboks unawares, Etzebeth was in the thick of things and keeping his team in the game. This was one of the best displays in his long and illustrious 117th cap international career. Absolutely brilliant.

14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 8/10

Little man, who did big things. Dominant tackles, strong carries, line-breaks, aerial superiority, and a try to cap it off. Kurt-Lee Arendse stood his ground against the much bigger figures in the French backline.

11. Cheslin Kolbe 8/10

Full of running from start to finish. Scored a stunning try in the first half, superbly charged down one of Thomas Ramos’ third conversion attempt to keep the sides level at 19-19 and sparked a Springboks attack in the second half when they looked flat. One of Cheslin Kolbe’s best Test matches in a long, long time. One could argue it was probably one of his all-time best, if not the best, performances in a Springbok jersey. He was the standout player in the Springbok back division.

13. Jesse Kriel 8/10

It’s astounding that Kriel has never had the full backing of Springbok supporters. He was incredibly well and was without dispute the best midfielder on the park. He made a try, pulled off a couple of try-saving tackles. Utterly, utterly superb.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 7/10

He wasn’t error free, but Pieter-Steph du Toit worked tirelessly across the field until he was subbed off around the 60-minute mark after suffering a head injury. He passed his HIA test and return with less than five minutes remaining and was heavily involved in a Springbok attack late in the game.

20. Kwagga Smith 8/10

None of the Springboks’ substitutes disappointed. But Kwagga Smith made what was ultimately the match-winning play for the Springboks when he won a breakdown turnover, which Handre Pollard duly slotted. Kwagga’s night of all-action didn’t end there though, he made a couple. more turnovers and pummelled a few French ball-carriers in contact.

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