Australia started their Tri-Nations campaign on a winning note when they outmuscled South Africa to record a 16-9 victory in a bruising encounter at Subiaco Oval, Perth, on Saturday.

It was not the Springboks' best performance of the series, but Robbie Deans' Wallabies took another giant step forward after their World Cup disappointment last year. They are now unbeaten in four matches under their new coach, Deans. Jan de Koning rates the South Africa players!

15 Conrad Jantjes:
One of his worst games in the Bok jersey — poor under the high ball and offered nothing on attack. The Boks certainly missed veteran Percy Montgomery's steadying influence in the number 15 jersey. 4/10

14 JP Pietersen:
He tried, but things simply didn't go his way and his hands remain shockingly poor. 4/10

13 François Steyn:
The usual mixed bag from Steyn — some really great plays and a great penalty kick early on, but then he missed an easier kick and his options also let him down at time. Solid though. 5/10

12 Jean de Villiers:
Still South Africa's most influential and effective backline player. He breaks the line in every game, but undid some of his earlier good work with a missed tackle. 7/10

11 Bryan Habana:
Not much came his way and the one opportunity he had almost turned into points. However, his workrate was not as good as it should have been and there will be concerns over his shoulder injury. 5/10

10 Butch James:
He was solid and had a good first half, but after the break his options let him down at times. 5/10

9 Enrico Januarie:
After last week's heroics this was a big disappointment. From the early failed chip-kick attempt right to his shocking pass in the second half it was a game to forget. 4/10

8 Pierre Spies:
Looked really impressive with the ball in hand and on defence in the first half, but seemed to fade after the break. It could be an indication that he lacks match practice. 6/10

7 Juan Smith:
His form seems to be on the slide — gave a away a couple of free kicks, his hands let him down at times and generally he struggled to maintain his high standards. 5/10

6 Schalk Burger:
He remains the Boks' most productive player, especially on defence. Another player who suffered an injury that will be of concern to the coaching staff. 7/10

5 Victor Matfield (captain):
A very poor game by his standards. Poor hands and his workrate was way below par. 5/10

4 Bakkies Botha:
Without doubt his best game of the year. As physical as ever and a rock on defence. 7/10

3 CJ van der Linde:
Gave away an early penalty, but was solid in the scrums. Nothing spectacular. 6/10 2 Schalk Brits:

Looked like a nervous starting debut, which could account for the poor early throw. Also gave away some free kicks and penalties, but had a decent work rate. 5/10

1 Gürthro Steenkamp:
Did some good work in the scrums and a couple of strong runs. Coming into some good form. 6/10

Replacements (20 minutes or more to be rated):

20 Ryan Kankowski (on for Burger in the 49th minute):
Not nearly the impact one would have expected from him off the bench. Gave away a free kick and holds onto the ball far too long... signs of a selfish player. 4/10

16 Adriaan Strauss (on for Schalk Brits in the 50th minute):
Nothing special, but his line-out throwing was okay. 5/10

17 Tendai Mtawarira (on for Steenkamp in the 50th minute):
A couple of strong runs with the ball in hand, but one would like to see more of him at the breakdown, rather than on the wing. Still, a talented player that could be around for a long time. 6/10

19 Andries Bekker (on for Botha in the 65th minute and also as a blood replacement for Kankowski earlier):
Steady, but nothing more. Needs to lift his workrate at the breakdown. 5/10

21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Peter Grant (on in the 65th minute — not long enough to rate).

18 Brian Mujati (on in the 77th minute — not long enough to rate)

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