
Share
11th November 2017
07:30pm GMT

Conor Murray - 7.5
Passing is as crisp now as it was before his neck and shoulder injury earlier this year. Tackled with gusto and always gave his teammates a fighting chance on the kick-chase. Helped Aki out on that Kriel turnover.
Cian Healy - 8
Welcome back to the top table, Mr Healy. Part of an Ireland scrum that shunted the Springboks around for fun when both sides had their starting packs on.
Rory Best - 8
Does not do much carrying - he just does everything else. Stood up to some huge South African ball carriers and took them all down. Made two big turnovers in the second half before Rob Herring came on for the last 15 minutes.
Tadhg Furlong - 8
Reaffirmed his status as a truly world-class tight-head and showed up well in the loose too. Tackled like a demon.
Iain Henderson - 9
That's more bloody like it Iain! We noted, before the match, that this was a big chance for Henderson to make a statement. That he certainly did with a few huge carries and barges of opposition locks Lood de Jagr and Eben Etzebeth.
[caption id="attachment_141614" align="aligncenter" width="733"]
Credit: RTE[/caption]
Devin Toner - 8
Did well to claim an early up-and-under and was part of a brutish, determined Ireland pack. Some lovely, clean lineout takes and distribution. Almost, almost had himself a intercept and a 40-metre gallop for the tryline but could not hold on.
Peter O'Mahony - 6
In the wars from early doors. Had a decent game but was hampered by a couple of knocks sustained in the first half. Did well to hang onto the ankle of Etzebeth after being bounced in the initial contact. Went off after 50 minutes.
Sean O'Brien - 7
Strange game from O'Brien. Lacked that real pop to his game and made very little carries but was decent at the breakdown and tackled heartily. Lacking a huge amount of game time this season but will hopefully be the better for this encounter for the games ahead.
CJ Stander - 8.5
He was ON tonight! Delivered a big performance against the country of his birth. Good carries off the back of the scrum and was a constant source of front-foot ball. Drove Pieter Steph du Toit back a few metres in one thudding collision and won a vital turnover at the tail-end of the first half.
[caption id="attachment_141615" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Credit: RTE[/caption]
This Irish back row has the makings of something special, even with Ruddock slotting in. And there's still Leavy, van der Flier, O'Donnell, Conan and Murphy in reserve.
Lord above!
Rhys Ruddock [for O'Mahony '50] - 7 Won an important turnover not long after entering the fray but was then penalised at the breakdown minutes later. Powered over for Ireland's second try. Dave Kilcoyne [for Healy '66] - 6 Rob Herring [for Best '66] - 7 Boshed over for a late try. John Ryan [for Furlong '70] - 6 James Ryan [for Henderson '70] - 6 Couple of strong carries. Kieran Marmion [for Murray '70] - 6 Busy. Set up Ruddock's score. Darren Sweetnam [for Rob Kearney '73] - 6 Almost had a try on debut but kept the all alive and it eventually led to Stockdale's try. Joey Carbery [for Johnny Sexton '75] - 6 On late but lamped over a couple of nice conversions.
Explore more on these topics: