RATINGS: Who fired and who flopped for Springboks?

The Springboks ultimately delivered a second-half masterclass to power their way to an emphatic and much-needed win against Italy on Saturday. There were several impressive individual performances, with the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Siya Kolisi and Manie Libbok all really impressing.

Below we hand out some key player ratings.

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Who fired for the Springboks?

Kurt-Lee Arendse (10/10): It was always going to take something quite special to displace Makazole Mapimpi from the starting lineup, but there can be no denying that Arendse has earned his spot on the left wing.

This was yet another sensational performance from the pocket rocket, who only goes from strength to strength each time he takes to the Test stage.

Besides scoring two well-taken tries, Arendse was excellent when competing for the ball in the air, while his defence and work-rate was out of the top drawer.

Willie le Roux (8/10): The veteran fullback has been one of the most influential backline players for the Springboks on this end-of-year tour, and he was once again central to the Bok cause on Saurday.

South Africa certainly played with plenty of ambition on attack against Italy, and Le Roux pulled the strings in so many pieces of play, often popping up at first receiver.

With all of his creative touches, and well-timed passes, it now seems that Le Roux has entrenched himself in the No 15 jersey again.

Siya Kolisi (8/10): The Springboks skipper was one of the team’s best performers in last weekend’s clash against France, and he picked up from where he left off.

Kolisi made plenty of metres with ball in hand, was among the leading tacklers on the day, while his work rate was off the charts.

It’s been another superb season on the Test stage for the dynamic flanker, who has become so integral to the energy and enthusiasm of the Springbok pack.

Manie Libbok (8/10): In just his second Test, Libbok enjoyed a 35-minute run off the bench after Cheslin Kolbe went off injured.

It’s fair to say that the versatile back made every second count, impressing from the moment he came onto the field, which included a stunning pass to help set up the second try for Arendse, as well as the final try scored by Cobus Reinach.

Libbok’s goal-kicking was also on point, and he generally just looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself on the Test stage.

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Jasper Wiese (7/10): The big No 8 looked really hungry for action on his return to the starting lineup, and he enjoyed a really good shift on Saturday.

Wiese was a powerful ball carrier, while he took the kick-offs extremely well and brought real physicality to the Springboks’ play.

Ultimately, the hard-working eighthman made another statement about how difficult it will be for Duane Vermeulen to win back the No 8 jersey.

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Who flopped for the Springboks?

Damian de Allende (4/10): It’s probably harsh to mark down any of the Springboks after that impressive finish to an important Test against Italy.

However, there is no doubt that De Allende struggled to make his usual impact after being shifted into the unfamiliar position of outside centre.

It won’t be a real worry at all for the Springboks, but it did highlight once again how much the team will further improve once Lukhanyo Am returns to the squad.

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Italy

15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti 

Substitutes: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 David Sisi, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Edoardo Padovani, 23 Tommaso Menoncello  

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok