Planet Rugby's player-by-player breakdown of the 45-21 win over England hands Damian Willemse a 9/10 — the standout mark of the match — for a performance that combined aerial dominance, an outrageous 50:22, a try-assist and key defensive reads on his 50th cap. Malcolm Marx earns an 8 for going the full 80, leading the tackle count, scoring, assisting and generally announcing himself for 2026, lineout wobbles notwithstanding. Grant Williams (8) and Cheslin Kolbe (8, also on his 50th) are the other top performers. The Bomb Squad collectively earns an 8 for the decisive impact that blew England away in the final quarter. On the other side of the ledger, Kurt-Lee Arendse is docked to a 5 after his sin-binning for deliberate knockdown, while Paul de Villiers (6) and Cameron Hanekom (6) had functional but unspectacular debuts. Pieter-Steph du Toit gets a 7 despite seven missed tackles — his carrying and lineout work in an unplanned captaincy role after Kolisi and Etzebeth went off injured doing enough to offset the defensive blemishes.
Willemse and Marx lead the ratings as Bomb Squad finishes the job against England
Willemse and Marx are the standout performers in Planet Rugby's detailed player ratings from the 45-21 win over England, with the Bomb Squad's collective 8/10 reflecting the decisive late shift that sealed the result.
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.
Five Boks in Round One Team of the Week as Willemse Claims Player of the Weekend
South Africa dominate Planet Rugby's Round One Team of the Week with five selections, headlined by Willemse's Player of the Weekend on his 50th cap and strong showings from Marx, both Du Toits, Kriel and a debut-making De Villiers.
Erasmus admits Australia flashbacks at half-time as Boks' system absorbs Kolisi and Etzebeth withdrawals
Rassie Erasmus revealed that Australia flashbacks surfaced at half-time when England closed the gap to 17-14, before the Boks ran out 45-21 winners in their Nations Championship opener, with Kolisi and Etzebeth absences handled by a system Erasmus says is being deliberately stress-tested ahead of the World Cup.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa v England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.
SENSATIONAL Springboks 💥 | South Africa vs. England | Nations Championship 2026 | Highlights
Watch all the highlights as South Africa took on England at Ellis Park on day one of Nations Championship.