Planet Rugby has rated all 11 Bok backs across the Greatest Rivalry series, and the verdicts are sharper than a simple win-loss read. Arendse (9) and Morne van den Berg (9) are the standout performers — van den Berg going from unknown quantity to Baltimore man of the match is framed as the series' most unlikely success story. Kriel and De Allende (both 9) are credited as the engine room of the midfield, with Kriel's Soweto try-saving run a particular highlight. Kolbe (8) earns his rating largely on the back of a kicking game that surprised even his admirers, while Hooker (8) and Willemse (8) are solid without being spectacular. The most contentious rating is SFM's 6 — the piece acknowledges he was learning on the job throughout, faced real criticism, and only held the 10 jersey because Pollard got injured in training. Libbok (8 off the bench) is quietly noted as having made a strong case for more. At the other end, Grant Williams (5) and Cobus Reinach (5) both finish the series having lost ground rather than gained it.
Backs ratings: Who starred, who struggled across the four-Test series
Planet Rugby rates all 11 Bok backs across the Greatest Rivalry series — van den Berg and Arendse top the charts, SFM gets a pointed 6, and both starting scrumhalves finish the tour with less standing than they started with.
Willemse credits Jantjies, Bok mentors after reaching 50-Test milestone at Ellis Park
Damian Willemse marked his 50th Test cap with one of his finest Springbok performances as South Africa opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, crediting mentors including Elton Jantjies, Handré Pollard and several Bok greats for shaping his game across multiple positions.
Rassie backs Pollard through Bulls slump — but the pressure is real
Erasmus is publicly backing Pollard through his Bulls slump, but with Libbok in form, Feinberg-Mngomezulu out, and Moyo now in the mix, the piece argues the pressure on Pollard ahead of the international season is more acute than the coach's measured words let on.
Kolbe's kicking arm eases Rassie's flyhalf headache
Kolbe's kicking form against the Barbarians gives Erasmus a safety net that softens the flyhalf selection dilemma — Rich breaks down what the Gqeberha weekend really revealed ahead of England on 4 July.
Kolbe's boot eases Rassie's flyhalf headache — but Pollard's form is a real concern
Rich's wrap identifies Pollard's form — not just the URC final but his broader Bulls season — as a genuine concern, while arguing Kolbe's confirmed place-kicking ability gives Erasmus a tactical safety valve when selecting his 10. Wiese, Kolisi, and the defensive system also feature.
Mallett backs Erasmus's Horn gamble at 10 — but calls it a 'fantastic challenge'
Nick Mallett endorses Erasmus's decision to start Quan Horn at fly-half against the Barbarians, arguing Horn has been operating as a de facto 10 within the Lions system all season — and that the experienced players around him make this a realistic audition ahead of the Nations Championship.