Springbok player ratings: Veterans and rookies alike star in dazzling performance
Following the Springboks' 80-31 season-opening win over the Barbarians in Gqeberha, here's how we rated the players.
Black News 
The Springboks surged to a 80-31 triumph over the Barbarians to kick off their 2026 campaign in stunning fashion at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
15. Aphelele Fassi – 7/10
Finally back in the green and gold, Fassi lively from the back and repeatedly sliced through the Barbarians defence to get on the front foot. He did try a couple of kicks which didn’t come off, but it never put the team in a worse position than it was before his attempts.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – 8/10
Emerged as the team’s designated goal-kicker today, undoubtedly to help lift the pressure on new flyhalf Quan Horn, and he did so aplomb. The wing slotted his first five conversions – from various difficult positions on the field – and pulled off his trademark sidestep to flummox defenders a few times. He took a heavy knock early in the game when he turn after his first conversion and bumped right into a camera. Kolbe immediately went down clutching his head, but after receiving medical attention, he was cleared to carry on.
13. Jesse Kriel – 7/10
Kriel had an uncharacteristically quiet game. His defence, which has been a hallmark of his career to date, was sorely lacking today. The Barbarians carved through his channel in centre-field. Finished strongly with a try.
12. Andre Esterhuizen – 7/10
Produced a mixed performance. The Springbok centre was solid with ball-in hand going forward. But like his midfield partner, Esterhuizen was found wanting. However – and this goes for both him and Kriel – in this case, these defensive mishaps is the exception and not the rule and could just be down to rustiness. He completed the delayed pass is what set up Van der Merwe for his hat-trick.
11. Edwill van der Merwe – 8/10
Bagged a hat-trick. Any three-try display in the first international game of the season is a remarkable return, albeit against an invitational team in an exhibition match. He was ruthlessly brushed off on the way to one of the Barbarians’ tries being scored.
10. Quan Horn – 7/10
A surprise selection at flyhalf in the absence of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handre Pollard and Marie Libbok, Horn did his reputation no damage with well-rounded display in that playmaker role.
9. Grant Williams – 7/10
Williams got the nod to start the game ahead of Faf de Klerk today and he delivered exactly what was expected of him. He controlled the game nicely, cleared the ruck quickly, and made a couple of tackles when required.
8. Jasper Wiese – 8/10
Today there was only one way with ball in hand for Wiese and that was forward. From a well-read lineout steal, he burrowed over for a try and carried with intent and menace every time he touched the ball.
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit – 8/10
As always, he played like a man possessed. Du Toit wasn’t flashy, but was once again the personification of leading from the front in the tighter collisions. His spot tackling was spot on.
6. Siya Kolisi – 8/10
The skipper gave a polished display, which included multiple line-breaks and numerous telling hits. There can be no complaints about his performance.
5. Franco Mostert – 8/10
An experienced operator whose value to this Springbok team is priceless. Today he came up with another dominant lineout and powerful physical display.
4. Riley Norton – 8/10
This was his first time in Springbok colours and he never looked out of place. He was the cause for moment of confusion when he clashed with teammate Kriel as both of them went for a kick-off receipt. But other than that, the man with both rugby and cricket talents, didn’t put a foot out of place. It has to be noted that he played the full 80 minutes, an impressive feat by any measure.
Starting front row – 8/10
Props Ox Nche and Carlu Sadie and hooker Andre-Hugo Venter all enjoyed a workman-like outing, but because of the few scrums in the first time and the quality of opposition during said scrums, we can’t rate them all individually. Although, it has to be said that the trio put in a huge shift around the park in terms of tackles, carries and metres made. Additionally,
BENCH – 8/10
There were sparkling cameos across the board from the replacements. Every one contributed to the Springboks’ strong finish to the game in the last 15 minutes.
