Leicester Tigers ensured that South Africa got their European tour off to the worst possible start after they recorded a 22-17 win over a Springbok XV at Welford Road in Leicester on Friday.

The South Africans' lack off preparation time heading into the match was clearly evident as they struggled to find cohesion as a unit, while the more galvanised and experienced Tigers exploited the poor weather conditions.

Len Kaplan rates the Springbok players:

15 Earl Rose: Skillful kick behind defenders to set up Nokwe’s try. Good under high ball but not really tested. Kicked two good up-and-unders but one up-and-under carried too far and one other aimless kick. No real chance to show running skills.
7/10

14 Odwa Ndungane: Frustrating game for him; attempted to get into the game but little came his way. Good defence but no chance to show attacking ability.
6/10

13 Juan de Jongh: High workrate; anxious to get into the game - chased kicks, hit rucks, tackled bravely, but had minimal chance to display his attacking skills. One good attacking run.
7/10

12 Wynand Olivier: Showed his experience, remaining calm under pressure. No chance on attack except for one good run. Strong on defence. One chip kick went too far.
6/10

11 Jongi Nokwe: Excellent pick-up from Rose’s kick to score the only Bok try. No other meaningful chances on attack. Good once, weak once under high ball. Chased kicks well. 
6/10

10 Ruan Pienaar: Three times kicked into touch-in-goal, once passed into touch, dropped one high ball. His misdirected kick led to Leicester’s counter-attack try. Cut the defence once nicely but overall an unhappy game for him.  
5/10

9 Heini Adams: Livewire, nippy, quick service despite retreating scrum. Sound workrate.   Upset the ref by offering unwarranted advice.
6/10

8 Ashley Johnson: Strong and physical on defence and attack. Made a few big tackles and had a few strong runs. Leicester were certainly aware of his presence. One worry – does he contribute as a scrummager at 8?  
7/10  

7 Davon Raubenheimer: A mediocre debut. A few good tackles but didn’t make an impact in what appeared a big step-up for him from Currie Cup. Knock-on from 22 drop out looked clumsy.
5/10

6 Dewald Potgieter: Perhaps not the level of impact he made in the Currie Cup but high workrate – made tackles, quick to breakdown, significant contribution in rucks and mauls. More effective debut than some other debutants.
7/10

5 Andries Bekker: Won line-outs, made a few important tackles, got around the field but not always a force in rucks and mauls. Gave away three points by playing the ball on the ground in a ruck.
6/10

4 Danie Rossouw: Gave the Boks some go-forward momentum which they largely lacked. A force on the drive but he did lose the ball forward in contact, missed a tackle, let his opponent steal a ball in front of him in a line-out, and gave away a penalty for off the ball barging.
6/10

3 Jannie du Plessis: Not all that happy a game for him with him and the Bok scrum under pressure. Made some impact in tight-loose but at not his best.
6/10

2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain): A very disappointing game for him – found the scrummaging tough going; one line-out overthrow conceded possession. He made little impact and lasted only 20 minutes.
4/10  

1 Gürthro Steenkamp: Not a happy game for him. Under severe pressure in the scrums; warned for pulling out of the scrummaging contest against Castrogiovanni and conceded three points for standing up in a scrum. Minimal impact away from the set pieces as well.
4/10

Replacements:

16 Bandise Maku: (on for Ralepelle in 20th min): 
Didn’t have an easy time in the scrums but line-out throwing-in good and high workrate around the field.
6/10

17 Heinke van der Merwe: (on for Steenkamp in 43rd min):
Conceded a penalty at a scrum almost immediately after coming onto the field. Clearly in need of game time.
5/10

18 Alistair Hargreaves: (on for Rossouw in 60th min): 
Honest grafter with high workrate. Difficult for him to make an impact coming into a struggling pack after an hour.
6/10

19 Jean Deysel: (on for Raubenheimer in 48th min): 
Strong on the drive, a  physical presence in contact. Leicester would certainly have noticed his presence more than Raubenheimer’s.
6/10

20 François Hougaard: (on for Adams in 54th min): 
Displayed composure under pressure. Strong on defence but little or no chance to show attacking skill.
6/10

21 Meyer Bosman: (on for Olivier in 63rd min): 
Steady enough but not enough playing time to be rated.

22 Riaan Viljoen: (on for Rose in 65th min): 
One good mark under pressure and appeared composed but not enough playing time to be rated.

365

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