How did they do?

ND-OUT PLAYERS STAND-OUT BANKERS MORE REQUIRED DISAPPOINTMENTS INJURED

Zane Kirchner Jean de Villiers Siya Kolisi Pierre Spies

Led by example and captained with foresight and dignity. But the jury is out on whether he will make it to the World Cup in 2015 and also whether the Boks might not be better off with a captain in the forwards

Had a superb debut at the Mbombela Stadium when replacing Arno Botha after just four minutes. He showed he belonged, but doubts still exist over his best position

Does not make nearly enough of a contribution in one of the key roles in the team. He was largely anonymous until his injury in Pretoria

Arno Botha

Had a promising display in Durban

Moved his own try-scoring record to 50. Energetic, always looking for work, taking on an increased leadership role, setting a great example

Bryan Habana

Took over the No 5 jersey against the Samoans and provided the grunt lacking in the Bok pack

Flip van der Merwe

A destructive carrier and a player the opposition fears. Sat out most of the series with injury but, like Coetzee, is not the most skilful of loose forwards. Needs to add creativity to his package

Willem Alberts

Perhaps its because of the heart spasm problems hes had, but The Beast is just not the feared player he was. Just like Spies, he goes to ground far too easily

Tendai Mtawarira

Jano Vermaak

Good debut, but got injured

Francois Hougaard

Displayed an exceptional work rate and maintained high standards. When it comes to carrying or turning over the ball, he does not have to stand back to Bismarck du Plessis. He is Heyneke Meyers captain elect

Adriaan Strauss

So reminiscent of Jaque Fourie, whose No 13 jersey he inherited. Tall, strong and fast, he revealed an exceptional burst of speed to score his tries and greatly improved his defensive work

JJ Engelbrecht

A workhorse if ever there was one. Might not be the killer tighthead South Africa has been looking for, but he never takes a step back or a minute off

Jannie du Plessis

Trevor Nyakane

Brought solidity when the Bok scrum was creaking while making his debut against the Italians and got his rst test try against Samoa. Could he, rather than Coenie Oosthuizen, be the tighthead we are looking for?

Service was not quick enough, was sometimes absent in action, telegraphed his kicks and did not set enough posers for the defence by breaking or changing the direction of attack

Ruan Pienaar

Duane Vermeulen

Jaco Taute

Eben Etzebeth
Hes Bakkies Botha and Victor Mateld rolled into one, the rock on which the Springbok tight ve will be built for years to come

Willie le Roux
Heyneke Meyer gave the lie to those who said he would not pick him. The tall Cheetah, although not faultless, added a whole new dimension with his incursions into the line and telling passes, along with his ability to come up and take the ball as rst receiver, thus splitting the attention of defenders

Won back his No 10 jersey from Patrick Lambie and three assured performances demonstrated the coachs faith in him was not misplaced. A goal kicker par excellence, for now the Boks cannot do without the points he provides

Morn Steyn

A destructive defender and hard as nails, but lacking in ball skills

Marcell Coetzee

Excellent line-out forward, but his overall work rate was not high enough

Juandre Kruger

JP Pietersen

The three wins over Italy, Scotland and Samoa have signicantly improved Meyers win record to Francois Louw Bjorn Basson Coenie Oosthuizen/ Jan Serfontein/ Chiliboy Ralepelle

Given time off to get married in the middle of the series, his value was shown when he was missing against Scotland in Nelspruit. Hes coming to the fore as a leader as well

Safe under the high ball; a top-class chaser and better with every outing

Have all come to stay, but a decision needs to be made on whether Oosthuizen is going to cut it at tighthead

NOT SEEN AT ALL

66% Played 15 Won 10 Drawn 2 Lost 3

Frans Steyn

Johan Goosen

OFF THE RADAR

WAIT AND SEE

Gio Aplon

Demetri Catrakilis

Juan de Jongh

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Robert Ebersohn

Elton Jantjies

Patrick Lambie
Reliable as a sub, and versatility makes him worth his weight in gold on the bench. He may become a specialist bench man

Heinrich Brssow

Ryan Kankowski

Compiled by DAN RETIEF; Photos: http://www.backpagepix.co.za

Pieter Lappies Labuschagne

Raymond Rhule

Lwazi Mvovo

Franco van der Merwe

Louis Schreuder

He had short cameos but still has a long way to go in the battle back from injury

Bismarck du Plessis

MORN SCHAAP, Graphics24