15. Willie le Roux: 6.5
This certainly wasn’t Le Roux’s greatest showing in a green shirt. He was nowhere near Dan Biggar’s high ball that led to the Welsh try and his kicking game deserted him. Still managed to make 82 metres though, second highest on the pitch.

14. JP Pietersen: 6
Solid if unspectacular. He never received the type of ball that he thrives off, but defensively he kept George North at bay after an early scare. Work rate was exceptional and chased every high ball with gusto.

13. Jesse Kriel: 6.5
Offensively starved of ball so we didn’t get to see the best of him but in defence he made every tackle that was put in front of him.

12. Damian de Allende: 6.5
A very strange performance from De Allende – some good stuff, but some rookie mistakes. For a guy of his size and power, he shouldn’t be getting turned over as easily as he does but in the same breath, he secured a couple of crucial turnovers to stop the red tide. Missed tackles but made a decent amount of metres with ball in hand.

11. Bryan Habana: 7
No chance to show his attacking threat, he defended admirably and won one crucial turnover at the breakdown on the edge of the Springbok 22.

10. Handre Pollard: 6
His poor goal kicking almost cost South Africa this game. Against the All Blacks, he won’t be allowed to leave a point on the field. The rest of his game was fine as his distribution was good but he never threatened the gainline.

9. Fourie du Preez: 8
Du Preez has had better games in a Springbok shirt but his calmness helped his team over the line. He never looked panicked and stuck with the game plan. Nice turn of pace for the winning score as well.

1. Tendai Mtawarira: 5.5
Still lumbering around the park in the loose and not offering enough but his scrummaging is solid and the sole reason that he keeps his place.

2. Bismarck du Plessis: 7
You couldn’t have asked much more from Du Plessis in a game like this. His basics were spot on and made his tackles. One potentially saving a try in the first half.

3. Frans Malherbe: 6
A similar performance to ‘The Beast’ but did seem to offer a bit more with ball in hand.

4. Eben Etzebeth: 6.5
A scratchy performance from Etzebeth. His hands were not up to the usual high standards and he uncharacteristically missed a few tackles. Conceded needless penalties but he carried extremely well.

5. Lood de Jager :7
Slightly better than his second row partner but he too missed tackles and gave away needless penalties. His ball carrying has been a real plus for the Springboks in this campaign however.

6. Francois Louw: 7.5
Louw’s work rate is incredible. It seemed like he was at every breakdown. A few minor handling errors.

7. Schalk Burger: 7.5
Burger was extremely dangerous in the loose with his carrying and offloading ability but he was also one of the guilty few that gave away cheap penalties.

8. Duane Vermeulen: 8
Vermeulen is tackling too high still but apart from that, the Welsh felt his significant presence at the breakdown and in the loose. Top metres gained with 84 and he also threw what will probably be viewed as one of the passes of the tournament for Du Preez’s winning try.

Replacements: 6
No one really added too much value but it did highlight the strength in depth that South Africa have in certain areas as all substitutes are able to pick up where their team mates left off.

By Andrew Daniel (@scrum5ive)

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43