Jasper Wiese earns South Africa man-of-the-match award despite All Blacks defeat

Jasper Wiese was named KickOff Rugby’s Springbok man of the match after South Africa began the Greatest Rivalry series with a 33-16 defeat by New Zealand on Saturday.

The result was a disappointing one for the Springboks, who were beaten by the All Blacks despite enjoying periods in which they appeared to have control of the contest.

South Africa’s performance was undermined by their inability to turn those promising spells into a winning result. New Zealand absorbed the pressure, remained composed when South Africa threatened and ultimately secured victory.

The defeat will frustrate the home supporters, particularly because the Springboks had opportunities to influence the match. The All Blacks, however, weathered the storm, while South Africa were also guilty of making life more difficult for themselves at important moments.

Against that background, Wiese stood out as the most prominent South African performer at Ellis Park.

The No 8 produced an abrasive and energetic display, repeatedly involving himself in the contest across the field. He carried the ball with power, made plenty of post-contact metres and contributed strongly in defence.

Wiese’s influence was not limited to one area of the game. His work with ball in hand gave South Africa momentum, while his defensive effort ensured he remained involved when the All Blacks had possession. His willingness to compete throughout the match made him a notable presence for the home side.

Although the Springboks could not convert their periods of control into a victory, Wiese maintained his intensity and consistency. His performance set him apart from his team-mates and earned him the recognition from KickOff Rugby.

The award provides an individual highlight from a difficult evening for South Africa, who will be disappointed to have opened the series with such a clear defeat. New Zealand’s success also carried wider significance, with the All Blacks knocking the Springboks off the number one spot after their Ellis Park win.

For South Africa, the result means the focus will be on how they respond after being unable to capitalise on their opportunities. For Wiese, the match offered evidence of his value in a physically demanding contest, even though his contribution could not prevent the All Blacks from claiming victory.

He was described as standing “head and shoulders above his teammates” after producing one of the home side’s strongest individual performances on the night.

With the Springboks beaten 33-16, Wiese’s display was one of the few clear positives for the hosts. His combination of hard running, post-contact gains and committed defence made him the outstanding South African player in the opening match of the Greatest Rivalry series.

Who was your South African man of the match?