Predictably assured in the back field. A canter back towards a loose ball in his own half, followed by a slippery wriggle out of contact under pressure in the first 40 summed up his game. Some neat touches elsewhere, it was the inaccuracy elsewhere that meant he was largely a peripheral figure. Replaced by Manie Libbok<\/a> with just over 20 minutes to go.<\/p>\n
14. Cheslin Kolbe<\/a> \u2013 6 Player Line Breaks <\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n Damian Penaud<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Louis Bielle-Biarrey<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Cheslin Kolbe<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 13. Jesse Kriel<\/a> \u2013 7 12. Damian de Allende<\/a> \u2013 6 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse<\/a> \u2013 6 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu<\/a> \u2013 8 9. Cobus Reinach<\/a> \u2013 8 1. Boan Venter<\/a> \u2013 7 2. Malcolm Marx<\/a> \u2013 8 Player Dominant Tackles <\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n Louis Bielle-Biarrey<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Paul Boudehent<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Andre Esterhuizen<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Thomas du Toit<\/a> \u2013 7 4. Eben Etzebeth<\/a> \u2013 5 5. Lood de Jager<\/a> \u2013 3 6. Siya Kolisi<\/a> \u2013 5 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit<\/a> \u2013 7 8. Jasper Wiese<\/a> \u2013 9 16. Johan Grobbelaar<\/a> \u2013 N\/A 17. Gerhard Steenekamp<\/a> \u2013 7 18. Wilco Louw<\/a> \u2013 7 19. RG Snyman \u2013 7
Like most of his fellow backs, he was asked to cover on defence and chase kicks for most of the game. Made one swift recovery tackle on a cantering Louis Bielle-Biarrey<\/a> in the corner and stood his ground when the flying French winger came straight at him down the tram.<\/p>\n![\"Team](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762667950_40_806.png.webp\")
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Didn\u2019t see much of the ball but helped marshal the defence when things fractured past the edge. Seven tackles made an impact and helped prevent France\u2019s flying wingers from escaping down the tram.<\/p>\n
Made six carries but mostly from a standing start and without much penetration. Didn\u2019t stink the place up, but didn\u2019t set it alight either. Replaced by Andre Esterhuizen<\/a> on 48 minutes as part of a triple switch.<\/p>\n
Caught napping when Thomas Ramos<\/a> dinked a kick in behind to tee up Damian Penaud\u2019s early try, replicating a developing weakness he first showed in the loss to Australia<\/a> in Johannesburg. Came into his own later on.<\/p>\n
Much better when he moved to fullback. One outrageous offload out the back almost connected with Kolbe, and when he could run onto the ball, rather than dictate tempo, he was threatening. Scythed through the French defence when he linked with Libbok on a wraparound move. Wasn\u2019t perfect, but when the ceiling is so high, even an imperfect performance is more than good enough.<\/p>\n
Scored a stunning solo try when he broke from the back of a ruck, cut a line, chipped over the last defender and regathered to dot down. Couldn\u2019t quite ignite play while the game was scrappy, but his individual brilliance stood out.<\/p>\n
Was earmarked as a potential weak point in the team after Ox Nche\u2019s withdrawal, but held his own until the 32nd minute when he was hooked \u2014 prematurely if you\u2019re asking me \u2014 for Gerhard Steenekamp.<\/p>\n
Brilliant as he so often is. Who would want to tackle, or be tackled, by this slab of granite? Abrasive in the loose and reliable at the line-out. There is now a large gap between South Africa\u2019s premier hooker and the next cab off the rank.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Perhaps the most versatile prop in the world. Won two turnovers in the first half and helped procure a couple of scrum penalties. Not quite a master, this jack of all trades put in another commendable shift. Part of the triple sub on 48 minutes when he made way for Wilco Louw.<\/p>\n
Confrontational without being commanding. He wasn\u2019t bossed by the French pack but didn\u2019t do any bossing himself. A lukewarm contribution. Replaced by RG Snyman<\/a> on 48 minutes.<\/p>\n
Was harshly shown a red card for a head-to-shoulder shot on Ramos. The French fullback was falling as the South African lock was stooping to tackle. Had Ramos stood upright he would have been hit in the chest. De Jager was handy before that and pinched a French line-out inside his own 22 as the first half drew to a close, though three missed tackles reduced his score.<\/p>\n
Ten minutes before the start of his 100th Test, South Africa\u2019s captain ran out to the centre of the Stade de France<\/a> like a rock star, shrouded in the glow of a spotlight as fireworks exploded around him. We\u2019ve become so used to fairytale moments from Kolisi that another was expected here. It wasn\u2019t to be. After an inconspicuous first half he was hooked before the second as he made way for Ruan Nortje<\/a>, on to shore up the pack following de Jager\u2019s sending off.<\/p>\n
The last time the reigning World Rugby player of the year stepped off the Stade de France, he had made 28 tackles against the All Blacks<\/a> to help secure the World Cup. It was always going to be difficult to replicate that show but this felt well short of his usual standards. It\u2019s not that he was poor, it\u2019s just that he was quiet. He started the game by dropping a kick into touch but soon found his feet. A team high of nine tackles once again underlined his value.<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s best player. Solid either side of the ball. Brought his confrontational best when charging into heavy traffic with a team high of 17 carries. Indomitable. Might be his best ever game in Springboks green.<\/p>\n
Unused substitute.<\/p>\n
Replaced Boan Venter on 32 minutes and played his part in the front row.<\/p>\n
Won a penalty in his second scrum. No matter what happens in this world, you can be sure that South Africa<\/a> will continue to produce monsters in the front row.<\/p>\n
An instantly recognisable presence, his long levers are a weapon after contact. Despite some stiff carries and meaty tackles, he couldn\u2019t turn the tide of the game.<\/p>\n