Best Boks v Georgia: Next-Generation Stars Shine

The Lelos got off to the perfect start with a try in the second minute, which was a combination of their passion and the hosts’ sluggishness out of the shoot. The Boks took control of the game through their forwards and led 22-10 at the break, but would not have been happy with their first-half performance.

Their work rate, particularly at ruck time, and discipline weren’t up to scratch, but on the plus side, the rookie front row of Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouche, all making their Test debuts, dominated at scrum time, with Venter scoring the Boks’ opening try and Van der Merwe bagging a brace.

The back-to-back world champions were better in the second stanza, which saw the Georgian resistance turn to rubble, with the Boks adding 33 points to their tally while shutting out the visitors.

Our top three Springbok standouts were:

Ruan Nortje

The United Rugby Championship’s inaugural Ironman lived up to that distinction with a terrific, tireless performance.

The second-rower was super industrious and balanced his play brilliantly, managing to be an excellent link man and roaming defender without shying away from the rough stuff. He was also a general in the lineout.

His rugby IQ, i.e. picking his battles, his appetite for work, support play and handling skills – highlighted by his involvement in Canan Moodie’s try – plus, his endless engine made him the top dog and the deserved winner of the Man of the Match award.

You can't hold Canan Moodie back 😤🇿🇦

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 19, 2025

Grant Williams

Aside from an early misjudgement that saw him kick the ball out on the full just outside of his 22, Williams had another outstanding showing that should put him at the top of the scrumhalf pecking order going into the Rugby Championship.

The 28-year-old architected three of South Africa’s nine tries, laying the groundwork for Moodie’s score with an electrifying break and good pass, throwing a beautiful long ball to an unmarked Edwill van der Merwe, and unleashing Kurt-Lee Arendse on the switch.

Edwill van der Merwe's strike rate in International rugby 🏉💥

Watch the Springboks live on #SSRugby (Ch.211) and SS Grandstand (Ch.201) in three language options 🎙️🏉

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Faf de Klerk was also good off the bench, but Williams is a step or two ahead of the rest, especially when you throw in the accuracy of his box kicking, which allowed the Boks to win three of them back in the air.

Marnus van der Merwe

Can someone say dream debut?

All three debutant front-rankers were good, collectively and individually, but Van der Merwe had that Mbombela magic.

The hometown hero didn’t put a foot wrong as he anchored a dominant Bok scrum – which looked all the more impressive once the veteran trio who replaced the rookies in the second half surrendered the ascendency to the Lelos – scored two maul tries, were spot-on with his lineout throwing, and won a sweet breakdown penalty.

Not only the scrum but the lineout also went off the boil once Van der Merwe and his fellow debutants departed in the 45th minute. He couldn’t have hoped for a better first Test outing.

Two debutants, two tries😏🇿🇦

Marnus van der Merwe gets on the scoresheet 🤌

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 19, 2025