Planet Rugby's player ratings from the Bulls' 54-19 dismantling of Zebre at Loftus make for encouraging reading on several fronts. Cameron Hanekom earns the standout 9/10, rated comfortably the best carrier on the park in both tight and wide channels — the assessment that he's 'back to his best' after his injury layoff will be music to Springbok ears. Marco van Staden's shift at hooker also draws praise, with his set-piece work solid enough to free him up as the team's top tackler in the loose. Willie le Roux gets an 8 at fly-half, handling the makeshift role well on a platform the dominant Bulls pack made as easy as it gets. The one note of concern is Canan Moodie, whose rating reflects a wider pattern — brilliant in flashes, but an intercept that gifted Zebre a try and a questionable assist underscore why his inconsistency has become a talking point this season. Stedman Gans off the bench also draws a strong 8, described as 'utterly immense' after coming on.
Hanekom returns to form as Bulls demolish Zebre — full player ratings
Hanekom's 9/10 performance signals a timely return to form, while Moodie's mixed outing encapsulates his inconsistent season — Planet Rugby's full ratings from the Bulls' big Loftus win break down who's pushing for Bok relevance and who still has work to do.
- Loftus Versfeld
- Springboks
- Marco van Staden
- Willie le Roux
- Canan Moodie
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
McCloskey admits 'Zombie' has gotten under Irish skin — and Bok fans know it
McCloskey openly admits the Springbok fanbase's 'Zombie' takeover has gotten under Irish skin, framing it as part of a rivalry that's grown noticeably edgier since South Africa joined the URC.
Moodie edges closer to Bulls return ahead of Zebre clash at Loftus
Canan Moodie is in contention to return for the Bulls against Zebre Parma at Loftus this weekend after coming through Tuesday's training session following his hamstring injury, with attack coach Neil de Bruin confirming a final call will be made closer to the match.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.