The Springboks held off a spirited All Black second half performance to win their opening Tri-Nations Test 28-19 in Bloemfontein, with a firing pack the inspiration behind the win over their old enemies.

The match was a game of two halves, with the Springboks dominating the first to a surprising extent. The forwards were destructive and stamped green and gold authority all over the breakdown.

Heinrich Brussow has added a new dimension to the side with his scavenging ability, and he, along with Bismarck du Plessis and the returning Bakkies Botha epitomised the pack's ferocity in the contact situations.

It was a great opening that should have yielded more points but for Ruan Pienaar's erring boot. Goalkicking, and the Boks tendency to stop playing when they get a lead will be the two main areas of concern for the coaching team in an otherwise pleasing display from South Africa.

Tim Human rates the Springbok players?

15 Frans Steyn: Probably his best performance in the Bok No.15 jersey. He dealt well with the high ball, joined the line well and threw in a customary 55 metre monster of a penalty kick. Looking more assured with each game. 8/10

14 JP Pietersen: Hardly touched the ball, but his covering defence was faultless as usual. He is a reassuring presence in the back three. 6/10

13 Jaque Fourie: Not his finest game in attack, but was a constant defensive menace and finished off the game in style with a try in the corner. 7/10

12 Jean de Villiers: He looked back to his old self and showed the spark that has been missing in his game recently. He made half breaks regularly and beat defenders with ease. He almost got loose after a trademark intercept, but left the field with what looked like a bad knee injury. Lets hope not. 8/10

11 Bryan Habana: Didn't get a chance to show off his pace with ball in hand, but did everything right without it. He chased kicks brilliantly and defended well. The Boks must try to get him some ball in future; he is a wasted asset. 7.5/10

10 Ruan Pienaar: He certainly didn't settle the flyhalf debate with a performance that showed both what he offers and lacks in the pivotal position. His tactical kicking was good and he distributed well but his goalkicking was wayward, which could have cost his team dearly. Such a pity, as his general play was impressive. 6.5/10

9 Fourie Du Preez: Another controlled display from the halfback maestro. He troubled the All Black back three with pinpoint box kicks and his decision-making was superb. The heartbeat of this Springbok team. 8/10

8 Pierre Spies: Typically explosive in the loose and was good to see him put in the hard graft around the rucks. Any debate that may have been around the No.8 position has surely been settled. 8/10

7 Juan Smith: The subject of criticism recently, Smith responded well with his strongest performance in recent memory. He was heavily involved and made some good bursts in amongst impressive breakdown work and defence. 7.5/10

6 Heinrich Brussow: The little strongman passed his biggest test with flying colours. Up against the world's premier openside in Richie McCaw and came out on top. Enough said. 9/10

5 Victor Matfield: Supreme in the lineout and the restart, he showed all the composure of his 80-odd caps. He is expected to be excellent every week, and he rarely disappoints. 8/10

4 Bakkies Botha: 'The Enforcer' is back. He dominated every contact situation he was in and tore into the All Blacks with a smile on his face. A solid lineout option, but it was his physicality that made his performance immense. 9/10

3 John Smit (captain): Another tick in the 'Smit can be an international tighthead box.' Coming up against one of the world's best in Tony Woodcock, he more than held his own. 7.5/10

2 Bismarck du Plessis: Du Plessis was at his imposing best in one of his most impressive international performances to date. He, like Botha, thrived in around the contact points and seemed to enjoy the brutality of it all. 9/10

1 Tendai Mtawarira: The 'Beast' didn?t take a backward step at scrum time, but didn't rip into Tialata either. Worked well in the tight and only got limited chances for crowd inciting bursts. 7/10

Replacements:

16 Chiliboy Ralepelle: (On for Du Plessis for the last minute) Not enough time to be rated

17 Jannie du Plessis: (On for Smit for blood) Not enough time to be rated

18 Danie Rossouw (On for Botha on 68 minutes): Not enough time to be rated

19 Ryan Kankowski: Not enough time to be rated

20 Ricky Januarie: (On for Du Preez for last five minutes) Not enough time to be rated

21 Morne Steyn: (on for Pienaar after halftime) Kicked superbly as expected, landing a fantastic penalty to seal the game. But, his defence was awful and it was his missed tackle that let Smith free to score. The backline lost direction with him at flyhalf in the second half. A great match clincher though. 6/10

22 Wynand Olivier: (On for De Villiers on 68 minutes) Not enough time to be rated

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