Opperman's player-by-player breakdown of the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park hands out the plaudits and flags where the Boks were less than clinical. Damian Willemse is the standout with a 9.5 on his 50th Test — dominant under the high ball, a match-winning 50/22, and a try-saving tackle that kept England at bay before half-time. Manie Libbok earns a 9 for near-flawless game management, with Opperman noting how much he thrives when freed from goal-kicking duties. Damian de Allende (9) and Paul de Villiers (8.5) also rate highly, the latter having an impressive Test debut at 6. On the other side of the ledger, Arendse's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and Thomas du Toit's inability to dominate at scrum time — plus getting bumped by Genge for England's opening try — are flagged as the main blemishes on what was otherwise a commanding performance.
Ratings: Who starred and who struggled as the Boks put 45 on England
Opperman's full ratings from the 45-21 win over England, with Willemse (9.5) and Libbok (9) the standouts, and Arendse's yellow card and du Toit's scrumming the main concerns in an otherwise dominant Bok display.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Nché injury concern headlining Bok casualty list ahead of Scotland clash at Loftus
Rassie Erasmus is sweating over the fitness of Ox Nché, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and André Esterhuizen ahead of Saturday's Nations Championship match against Scotland at Loftus, after all four picked up injuries during or before the 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park.
Watson: Kolbe is England's biggest headache — but Bok versatility is the real danger
Watson names Kolbe as England's biggest individual concern but argues the Boks' real edge is their ability to change tactical identity based on which fly-half starts — a flexibility that makes them uniquely hard to prepare for.
Nations Championship Round 1: Boks set the benchmark, Japan turn heads
Louw's Nations Championship round-one review crowns the Boks as the weekend's benchmark-setters and flags Japan's Italy upset as the competition's first real surprise — while taking aim at the scheduling call that denies Japan a home fixture against Ireland.
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.