It was not flawless but if the brutal first forty minutes is what we can expect in the World Cup it is going to be fun in France.
Damian Willemse 7: Maybe the position that he must be given an opportunity to settle in. He was dangerous from the back however, he did miss a tackle or two. While his stepping was great and exciting he needed to learn when to step and when to just go for it.
Kurt-Lee Arendse 7: His intercept try is what we expect from him, however, he was a lot quieter than normal. His kicking out of hand was not what we are used to and he conceded a couple of turnovers.
Canan Moodie 8: He impressed in his first start at 13. However, he will need time to adapt. He did miss a tackle or two and also conceded a turnover. However, his attacks from thirteen were exciting and asked several questions to the All Blacks defence.
Andre Esterhuizen 9: The star of the backline and should be in the starting lineup for the World Cup. He was sublime on the attack backed up with solid defence.
Makazole Mapimpi 7: He was always looking for work and made no mistakes on the attack or defence. A workmanlike effort.
Manie Libbok 8: Found his goal-kicking range but we missed the soft touches, however, a solid performance running the show from ten effectively.
Faf de Klerk 5: He is still struggling with the basics of scrumhalf play and his brilliance at times was cancelled by basic errors more than often. Definitely not the best scrumhalf in the World Cup squad.
Duane Vermeulen 8: He made some big tackles, cleanouts, carries and steals. Only played 40 minutes but his physicality was missed in the second half.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 8: He made a match-high 16 tackles but unfortunately he conceded a couple of unnecessary penalties and a yellow card. He was everywhere on the field, carried with purpose and was impressive in the lineouts.
Siya Kolisi 7: A workman-like performance in his 40 minutes, tackling, cleaning and carrying with purpose. He is fast regaining his best form.
Franco Mostert 7: He ran the lineouts brilliantly and worked tirelessly. His best performance of the year, however, do not see him in the starting lineup.
Eben Etzebeth 8: He had a quiet game but was influential with his physical approach to the game. He was massive in the lineouts, however, he did concede a penalty for some over-eager support play and going off his feet.
Frans Malherbe 8: He was completely dominant at scrum time demolishing Ethan de Groot. Made his tackles and did more than what is expected from a tighthead.
Malcolm Marx 8: He had a big presence in the loose, made eight carries, including a clean break, and 11 tackles. He was faultless feeding the lineout and scored a nice try.
Steven Kitshoff 7: Workmanlike performance, did what was expected from him but did not get much reward for his carries.
Bench
Bongi Mbonambi 6: Missed his first lineout, but put in a good shift, especially on defence.
Trevor Nyakane 6: His scrumming was solid, however, did show signs of running out of steam. He urgently needs more game time.
Ox Nche 7: He continued the Springboks' pressure in the scrums but does need more game time.
Jean Kleyn 8: Won and stole lineouts, cleaned and carried and made some big hits.
RG Snyman 7: He had an impressive carry and clean break and made a handful of tackles.
Kwagga Smith 6: Did what we are used to and scored from the back of a lineout.
Marco van Staden 6: A good workman-like outing by the flanker.
Cobus Reinach 5: Did not have much impact and missed several tackles.
