New Zealand
Beauden Barrett Doesn’t quite seem to have the zip he did four years ago but influence on the game grew. Struggled under Pollard’s high kicks but took try well. 7
Will Jordan Was pursuing try to take record outright for most in a single World Cup but well shackled in first half before a touch more involvement in the second. 5
Rieko Ioane Had to work mighty hard to make ground in midfield and clattered into heavy traffic a number of times. Might have scored in left corner. 7
Jordie Barrett Tried his best to make things happen all game and brought a powerful presence too. Missed 74th minute penalty from distance. 7
Mark Telea Such an elusive runner in close quarters and made the space for Barrett to get over. Nominated for breakthrough of the year this week and is a shoo-in. 9
Richie Mo’unga Early pass to no one and levelled by Etzebeth. Costly knock-on just after Kolisi went off and a stunning break that ultimately counted for nothing. 6
Aaron Smith Has enjoyed a fine swansong tournament and though he was in a battle he kept his head after red card and knew when to put foot on accelerator. 7
Ethan de Groot Nose was smashed up in the first half but soldiered on until 15 minutes to go. Gave everything to the cause. 6
Codie Taylor Some big hits but a wobbling lineout throughout. Made good ground down the right as New Zealand sought a way back into the game. 5
Tyrel Lomax Not the most heralded of All Blacks – the tighthead props rarely are – but New Zealand matched South Africa at scrum-time and he takes some credit for that. 7
Brodie Retallick Targeted Fourie’s lineout throwing. No disgrace, given the heights he once hit but powers have waned a bit on this stage. 6
Scott Barrett Stayed on the field this time and brought some ballast to the All Blacks in the face of considerable pressure. 7
Shannon Frizell Third-minute yellow card for dropping his weight on to Mbonambi but one of few All Blacks able to make a dent in Springboks defence. 6
Sam Cane (capt) Sent off for high tackle on Kriel just before the half hour. Harsh in that it was not the most forceful tackle in a game full of them. Will be pilloried so spare a thought for him. 3
Ardie Savea Bouncing ball eluded him near try-line but never stops going. Carried New Zealand on his back at times – a super-human effort. 9
Replacements Samisoni Taukei’aho (for Taylor, 66) Improved things 7, Tamati Williams (for De Groot, 66) N/A, Nepo Laulala (for Lomax, 66) N/A, Sam Whitelock (for Frizell, 55) 7, Dalton Papali’i (for Retallick, 71) N/A, Finlay Christie (for Smith, 66) 6, Damian McKenzie (for Mo’unga, 75) N/A, Anton Lienert-Brown (for Jordan, 71) N/A.
South Africa
Damian Willemse Shanked a couple of drop-goal attempts but solid under high ball. Thought about counterattacking a few times but kicked instead. 7
Kurt-Lee Arendse Did superbly to deny Ioane in the corner just before half-time. Chance on right early in second half was tricky but you’d have backed him to score. 6
Jesse Kriel He and centre partner De Allende don’t get much opportunity to showcase their running threats but defensively sound. 6
Damian de Allende Will be relieved that Savea knocked on after being done for pace on the outside by Mo’unga. Not much doing with ball in hand. 5
Cheslin Kolbe Celebrating his 30th birthday and much more involved than a week ago. Deliberate knock-on ultimately did not prove costly. 6
Handré Pollard Handed start after heroics last weekend and caused problems with high hanging kicks and was his usual deadly self from tee. 8
Faf de Klerk Restored to starting XV and buzzed around, getting under the skin of the All Blacks. Kicked well and enjoyed tussle with Smith. 7
Steven Kitshoff Won a penalty at breakdown and did job at the scrum before making way for Nché, who was given a huge round of applause. 7
Bongi Mbonambi Spent the week in the eye of the storm, then lasted less than three minutes before making way after Frizell incident, leaving Fourie to play 78 minutes at hooker. n/a
Frans Malherbe Got through plenty of work in the first half, making his tackles and carrying hard. Held up his end of the scrum, too. 7
Eben Etzebeth Booed by French fans, stole lineout with All Blacks threatening and got away with one when running back. Typical Etzebeth performance. 8
Franco Mostert Lineout nuisance and got through plenty of work. Went the distance against England but no surprise he was replaced early in second half. 7
Siya Kolisi (capt) Mullered Savea with an exocet of a tackle before Kitshoff won a penalty deep in New Zealand 22. Yellow card for high hit on Savea. 7
Pieter-Steph du Toit – Man of the match – Thunderous tackles and plenty of them – 28 in total, 14 in each half – in an astonishing performance from start to finish. 9
Duane Vermeulen One big gallop from deep. Man-of-the-match four years ago but not the same impact and seemed a little off the pace. 7
Replacements Deon Fourie (for Mbonambi, 3) Put in some shift 7, Ox Nché (for Kitshoff, 51) Not same impact as last week 6, Trevor Nyakane (for Malherbe, 66) N/A, Jean Klyne (for Etzebeth, 60) N/A, RG Snyman (for Mostert, 51) 7, Kagga Smith (for Vermeulen, 60) N/A, Jasper Wiese (for Kolisi, 73) N/A, Willie le Roux (for Willemse, 66) 7.
