Springboks player ratings: The forwards who let the game slip away

PremiumOpinionOpinion byWinston AldworthHead of Sport·NZ Herald·22 Aug, 2026 11:01 PM7 mins to readWinston Aldworth is Head of Sport for NZME, working alongside New Zealand’s best sports journalists in the radio and publishing teams.‌Springboks players in action against the All Blacks. Photos / SmartFrame, PhotosportHow the Springboks rated in their 33-16 loss against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.1. Ox Nche – 8

The world’s best scrummager (according to many) backed up his massive reputation by doing a brutal job on the visitors’ early set pieces. While he was on the pitch, the hosts