What a difference a week can make! South Africa bounced back from a month of Tri-Nations misery to secure a record 53-8 victory over Australia in Johannesburg on Saturday, with the Springboks outscoring the Wallabies by eight tries to one.

Suddenly the Boks looked more energetic and keener than their opponents.

All you can ask is: 'Where has this form been?'

Jan de Koning rates the South African players' performances!

15 Conrad Jantjes:
After some indifferent performances he kept his best for last. There was a great delayed pass for the first try, not to mention his great positional play and great counter attacking. But the best was surely the grubber for Nokwe's fourth try. 8/10

14 Odwa Ndungane (replaced by Luke Watson 67th min — blood):
Why, oh why has he not been a more regular feature in the team this year. Great work-rate, including coming off his wing to set up a couple of tries for Nokwe. His support play was outstanding and showed he deserves more chances. Thoroughly deserved his try in the end. 9/10

13 Adrian Jacobs (replaced by Luke Watson 73rd min):
Missed an early tackle on Timana Tahu, but got into the game as it went on. Really good support play and is really playing well in tandem with Jean de Villiers at the moment. 7/10

12 Jean de Villiers:
Still South Africa's most dangerous and best creative back. Strong on his feet in the tackle, break the gain-line almost with monotonous regularity and a great offload for Adi Jacobs' try. 8/10

11 Jongi Nokwe (replaced in 51st minute by Montgomery):
Shocking missed tackle and looked hesitant early on. Many will point to his four tries, a record as the first player to score four against Australia — and say he had a great game. In reality he strolled over the line while the inside backs and forwards created the space. But a wing should be able to finish and that he did well. 6/10

10 Butch James (replaced by Ruan Pienaar in the 57th min):
Stupid mistake early on, going miles offside in front of the posts — gifting the Aussies their first points. But he also got into his stride quickly and produced some great tactical kicking, getting great distance. His passing game was also much more secure. 7/10

9 Fourie du Preez (replaced by Ricky January 67th min):
He is still struggling and not as assured as one would expect. Poor passing, kicking directly into touch and well below par generally. There is some improvement, but not enough. 5/10

8 Pierre Spies:
Without doubt his best game of the year. Showed just how dangerous he can be when going forward — especially with his sublime skills. Good, strong carrying, making lots of ground. 7/10

7 Juan Smith:
He also has his best game of the year, even though it was still below last year's standards. Strong in carrying ball and solid on defence. 6/10

6 Schalk Burger:
So much more energy this week and effective at the breakdown. He played the role of an openside flank more effectively. However, he must learn how to pass the ball when in open play. Wasted a few promising chances. 7/10

5 Victor Matfield (captain):
Much better ball control this week, especially in the line-outs where he stole a couple off the Aussies. However, his restarts still not what they should be. 6/10

4 Andries Bekker:
His fan club will look at the number of times he carried the ball in backline play and say he had a great game. It certainly looked impressive. But his defence was poor and he very seldom did anything at rucks, apart from standings there watching his teammates play. Someone should tell him he has a number four on his back, not the number 14. 5/10

3 Brian Mujati (replaced in 46th min by Jannie du Plessis):
His work-rate needs improving, but he is solid in scrums and helped at the rucks when he got there. Looks a bit out of shape though. 5/10

2 Bismarck du Plessis:
May not be the most dynamic hooker, but he is strong and hard working and certainly protected the ball better this week. 6/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira:
What a star South Africa have poached from Zimbabwe. Gave Matt 'donut' Dunning a torrid time in the scrums and the rotund Aussie prop lasted just 30 minutes. Strong as ever at the breakdown, winning several turnovers. 8/10

Replacements — 20 minutes or more to be rated:

16 Adriaan Strauss (on for Bismarck du Plessis 72nd min):
Not long enough to be rated

17 Jannie du Plessis (on for Mujati 46th min):
He was solid in the scrums and had some good strong ball carries. 6/10

18 Danie Rossouw (on for Bekker in 74th min):
Not long enough to be rated

19 Luke Watson (on for Odwa Ndungane in the 67th min (blood) and Adi Jacobs in the 73rd min):
Not long enough to be rated

20 Ricky Januarie (on for Fourie du Preez 68th min):
Not long enough to be rated

21 Ruan Pienaar (replaces Butch James in 57th min):
His kicking game was not his best attribute, but what a great show and go for his try. 6/10

22 Percy Montgomery (on for Nokwe 51st min):
Montgomery remains the steadying influence that the Boks have lacked for most of the year. 6/10

  • Do you agree with these ratings? Which player would you rate highest? Leave your comments below!

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