Whilst the Boks played well as a team for the first 60 minutes, they did not construct a lot of phases and ask enough questions of the British and Irish Lions. As individuals they all need to step up for the next 2 tests, and bring in their ball carriers more, to create some space for the backs.

Player ratings:

1. The Beast – 8
A strong game in the set pieces, dominating in the scrum against Vickery. Didn’t carry the ball strongly like he normally does although he had limited chances.

2. Bismarck du Plessis – 6
Did the basics, but also didn’t stand out around the field. Gave away a silly penalty in the second half. His discipline has always been a concern. For my mind doesn’t offer anything extra to Smit as a hooker, and if Carstens had to come on, i’d move Smit to Hooker and take off Bismarck.

3. John Smit – 9
A strong game from the captain who I think is supremely fit and doesn’t get enough kudos for his work around the field. A word to the coaches, never take our captain off! We suffer without him, and it was Dick Muir who pulled him off during a Super 14 final and saw that title slip away. Please Mr de Villiers, learn from that lesson!

4. Bakkies Botha – 8
A strong game in the tight. Did the enforcing role superbly and was possibly taken off a little 5-10 minutes too early.

5. Victor Matfield – 9
A great game again from the big man. Marked his territory in the lineouts, and got the ball away wide from a couple of rucks. He surveys the field so well and is an unsung hero around the park.

6. Heinrich Brussow – 8
Had a solid game but never dominated the breakdowns. I can’t remember him getting a clean steal in the game. Controlled the back of the maul well, and took his try superbly. I’d leave him there next week even is Schalk is fit.

7. Juan Smith – 7
Never gives anything less than 100%, making plenty of tackles and ball carries. I’d like to see him make a few more yards on attack and be a more effective link between backs and forwards.

8. Pierre Spies – 6
Did some great work on defence and had a couple of strong carries from the base of the scrum in the second half, but otherwise largely anonymous. Strange as he has been in great form. Will bounce back on his home ground next week, and needs to cover the long kicks as well so he can run and link with the backs. Too classy to have another quite game.

9. Fourie Du Preez – 6
Another Bull who was strangely quiet. His kicking game wasn’t quite on song, with his box kicks either too deep or too shallow. Will also appreciate returning to Loftus, so the Lions better look out.

10. Ruan Pienaar – 8
Had a good game. Made a couple of errors, including a spilled high kick, but answered his critics superbly with his kicking. Appears to be a de Villiers favourite which is tough for Morne Steyn, but he can be a real game breaker.

11. Bryan Habana – 6
Mostly confined to defensive work. Strange how so many Bulls were quiet. Needs ball, in space and he will score tries.

12. Jean de Villiers – 6
Had a quiet game. Made a try saving tackle on Monye that justified his inclusion, but didn’t offer much on attack. Had a few drop balls, and probably feeling his way back a bit after injury.

13. Adi Jacobs – 3
From the first player that ran at him, it was clear to me his shoulder isn’t right. Was reluctant to tackle. Please get the surgery he needs and put Jaque Fourie in. It is not helping Adi at all.

14. JP Pietersen – 6
Didn’t have much to do, but made a couple of telling tackles head. His tackling is under rated, defensively he is strong. I still prefer the attacking abilities of Nokwe however.

15. Frans Steyn – 5
Too inconsistent in my view. His kicking returns were usually too deep or too shallow to be effective. And his place kicking is either brilliant or woeful. I still can’t see why you wouldn’t want Kirchner instead.

16. Gurthro Steenkamp – 6
Limited chances, but got a vital turnover towards the end of the game.

17. Deon Carstens – 4
Weakend the scrum, and suffered an injury at just the right time. Best move he made all game.

18. Andries Bekker – 5
Too much of a light weight to be on with Matfield. Too much show pony and not enough grunt. I’d rather Rousouw covered the lock reserve.

19. Danie Roussow – 6
Worked hard, but gave away a vital penalty. Always gives 100%.

20. Ricky Januarie -3
Was quite awful. Why would you replace Du Preez with this? Made a vital error, and doesn’t deserve his place in the Bok squad ahead of Vermaak.

21. Jacque Fourie – 4
Deserves to start ahead of Adi next week, although he missed a couple of tackles too.

22. Morne Steyn – 8
Was superb when he came on, and made a match winning tackle on Monye. I’d play him at fullback instead of Frans Steyn.