Planet Rugby's player ratings from the 29-24 win over the All Blacks in Soweto hand Malcolm Marx a deserved 9/10 — the standout mark of the match — for a hooker's masterclass: world-class lineout throwing, dominant scrum work, and a maul try that earned him a standing ovation on his way off. Wilco Louw (8) and Ox Nche (8) complete a loosehead-to-tighthead demolition job that was the platform for everything. Among the backs, Ethan Hooker (8) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (8) earn high marks, while SFM (6) and Cobus Reinach (5) are flagged as passengers for stretches. The piece also credits Erasmus's bench strategy — noting the Bomb Squad didn't need to blow the game open, but executed their roles smartly enough to close it out.
AnalysisSpringboksPlanet Rugby
Marx steals the show as Bok bench management seals Soweto thriller
Malcolm Marx earns a 9/10 masterclass rating as Planet Rugby breaks down every Springbok's contribution in the 29-24 Soweto win — with the tight five's scrum dominance and Erasmus's bench calls identified as the decisive factors.
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So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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