With the Rugby Championship for 2022 a thing of the past, the Boks will be determined to build on the momentum achieved in winning the last three Tests as they next prepare to head into the year-end tour.
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The Springboks fell short of winning the Rugby Championship title after New Zealand earned a bonus-point win in their final clash against Australia on Saturday morning, with South Africa ultimately achieving a bitter-sweet victory over Argentina to finish as tournament runners-up.
In the first part of this series, we take a look at how key players performed in the back three:
Damian Willemse (8/10)
The youngster started three games at fullback in the Rugby Championship, with the Boks clearly looking to fast-track his integration as the new first-choice No 15.
Willemse’s development was ultimately one of the good-news stories for the Springboks as he impressed in almost every Test appearance, ultimately shifting to flyhalf after an injury to Handre Pollard.
His goal-kicking consistency may need some work, but Willemse can certainly be pleased with his display during the Rugby Championship.
Makazole Mapimpi (6/10)
By his high standards, this was a rather quiet Rugby Championship for the flying wing, who scored two tries in six starts.
Mapimpi didn’t do a lot wrong, but at times his positioning on defence lacked its usual accuracy, while it was unfortunate that he just wasn’t able to enjoy many opportunities with time and space on the ball.
Canan Moodie (7/10)
The find of the season for the Boks as the teenager was elevated into the starting lineup for the final three Tests of the tournament, scoring a stunning try on debut in Sydney.
Moodie was a bit quieter in the two games against Argentina, but real opportunities on attack were few and far between. Ultimately, he proved that there is every reason to be excited about his future prospects as a player who appears destined for a long and illustrious Test career.
Kurt-Lee Arendse (6/10)
The injury to Cheslin Kolbe forced the Boks to expand their horizons on the right wing, and Arendse certainly put up his hand with a stunning performance against New Zealand in Nelspruit, blighted only by a poor challenge that led to an untimely suspension.
Arendse returned for last Saturday’s clash against the Pumas and scored a memorable try off the bench, reminding the Bok coaches why he simply has to be included among the end-of-year touring group.
