True to form South Africa lifted their game and managed to batter a relentless Welsh team into submission but only just and the dogged defence won the day at the end.  Several players for the Boks didn’t impress and this is how we see the Springbok performances:

15 Gio Aplon – 7 I will say that I have never been a fan of Aplon’s but the more I watch him play you have to admire the heart of the man. Tirelessly putting his body on the line with some great last line of defence tackles was inspirational. His try saving tackle on the Welsh centre Shanklin most likely won the match for the Boks.

14 Bjorn Basson – 6 Another match in which the winger failed to convert his Currie Cup form into Test rugby. Slipped when the opportunity to score a try presented itself and did not have many opportunities after that to stamp his mark on the game.

13 Frans Steyn – 6 So much was expected of Steyn and he failed to live up to those expectations. His first half was forgettable but full marks to PDV for keeping him on as he improved as the match went on putting in some big tackles.

12 Jean de Villiers – 6 JDV had a few moments of brilliance but in general he was involved in far too many errors. His tackling was far from what we have come to expect from the centre and he looked off the pace for the majority of the match.

11 Bryan Habana – 5 Habana’s dip in form continued and although he got in some good tackles looked totally out of sorts on attack. It is inexcusable why he didn’t pass the ball to Aplon for what would have been a certain try instead he backed himself and the chance was lost.

10 Morne Steyn – 6 Unimpressive for much of the match and was shaky in defence showing a lack of enthusiasm to defend.

9 Ruan Pienaar – 5 After a great game against Ireland one hoped for another sparkling performance from the Springbok scrumhalf. It didn’t happen. Pienaar kick away too much possession and looked sluggish at the breakdown.

1 Tendai Mtawarira – 8 Beast looked the form front rower for the Boks and against a strong opposite number in Alan Jones stood his ground well. He made some great runs gaining plenty metres and tackled supremely.

2 Bismarck du Plessis – 8 Great to see the hooker producing big physical performances every week with some vigorous play that underlines his quality. His discipline too has been impeccable long may it continue.

3 Jannie du Plessis – 6 Not the best first half against a Welsh scrum that clearly had the upper hand. However he came back well in the second half and has proved to be a very dependable scrummer.

4 Bakkies Botha – 7 Stood out on defence and we relentless with his big hits. Solid in the lineouts and  along with Matfield a lethal combination.

5 Victor Matfield – 8 Second great match by the most capped Springbok. Without equal in the lineout and scored a good try after selling a dummy to the Welsh defenders. Captained the team to a hard fought victory and led by example.

6 Deon Stegmann – 5 Looked out of his depth and failed to provide good clean ball as the Boks chief fetcher. PDV subbed him after the first half and the difference Alberts made was palpable.

7 Juan Smith – 7 Solid as ever, Cheetah’s flanker hardly ever lets the team down with good defence and intelligent attacking play.

8 Pierre Spies – 7 An improved performance by the No.8 who managed to come alive in the last quarter of the match to put in some huge tackles. Not totally convinced that it was a MOM performance as he can play a lot better.

16 Chiliboy Ralepelle – 5 Managed to have two of his throw ins intercepted by the Welsh locks and did not match Bismark in the role of hooker.

18 Flip van der Merwe – 7 20 minutes of some great play from the Springbok lock and was every bit as good as Bakkies who he replaced.

19 Willem Alberts – 8 His debut match and scored a thunderous try with an early touch of the ball. Was immense at the breakdown, threw is some high impact tackles and even was deft enough to chip kick the ball. Must be a starter for the next match surely.

20 Francois Hougaard – 7 The difference Hougaard made was tangible. Quick to the breakdown and injected more purpose into the backline.

22 Patrick Lambie – 7 Needed more time to stamp his authority on the match but the 15 minutes he played showed that he is a flyhalf who is willing to tackle, something that Morne seems to have forgotten.