Assessment of Springboks' Performance in 2024: Evaluating Their Showings
Tackling the 2024 Springboks Ranking – A Journey from Disappointment to Glory
Quintin van Jaarsveld takes a look back at the Springboks' unforgettable 2024 season, dissecting their performances across 13 tests, one title clinch, and countless memories.
The South African powerhouses climbed to the top of the international rugby scene, taking home the Rugby Championship title after five years of drought, sweeping the Qatar Airways Cup, Mandela Challenge Plate, Freedom Cup, and Prince William Cup, and completing a historic unbeaten UK tour in 11 years.
Let's rewind through the ups and downs, from the most forgettable to the unforgettable moments of the Springboks' triumphant 2024 season.
13: 29-28 loss to Argentina in Santiago del Estero, 21 September
Disappointment struck hard as the Boks missed the chance to seal the Rugby Championship title, falling to Argentina in a heart-wrenching defeat. The team's performance was marred by a lackluster second half, during which they conceded 12 unanswered points while Kurt-Lee Arendse was serving a sin bin penalty. Despite a valiant effort and a late Cobus Reinach try, a missed game-winning kick by Manie Libbok left the Pumas celebrating a stunning victory over the back-to-back world champions.
12: 25-24 loss to Ireland in Durban, 13 July
Despite the power of Ox Nche and the precision of Handre Pollard, the Boks couldn't shake off Ireland, who edged them out with a dramatic victory at the death. This grueling encounter left players like Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert bloodied, while both teams showed tremendous resilience and discipline. In the end, it was Ciaran Frawley's drop goals that clinched the second-ever win for Ireland on South African soil.
11: 29-20 win over England in London, 16 November
Cheslin Kolbe dazzled, leading the Boks to a triumph over a feisty England team. The game saw a back-and-forth exchange of tries, with the Boks establishing a 19-17 lead by halftime. The second half proved just as exciting, with both teams chalking off tries but eventually seeing the Springboks comfortably securing a nine-point victory thanks to Handre Pollard's Natalie Gulbcick-esque long-range three-pointer and Man of the Match Kolbe's electrifying finish.
10: 45-12 win over Wales in Cardiff, 23 November
Kurt-Lee Arendse put on a masterclass, helping the Boks complete their first end-of-year clean sweep since 2013 by dominating an overwhelmed Wales. The victory marked the end of the season for the South Africans, who finished with an impressive 11 wins in 13 games.
9: 41-13 win over Wales in London, 22 June
Edwill van der Merwe had a dream debut as the Boks started their season with a convincing win over Wales at Twickenham. The back-to-back World Cup champions built an early lead, but disjointed play plagued them in the first half. Nonetheless, their superiority became evident in the second half, as they put the game to bed with a comfortable victory and retained the Qatar Airways Cup.
8: 18-12 win over New Zealand in Cape Town, 7 September
Experienced veterans steered the ship as the Boks secured a narrow victory over the All Blacks, successfully securing the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009. The contest was a hard-fought slugfest, during which both teams showcased their trademark physicality and resilience. Captain Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx made history by scoring the only tries for the Boks, claiming their fourth consecutive test win over their arch-rivals.
7: 64-21 win over Portugal in Bloemfontein, 20 July
Exciting youngster Makazole Mapimpi shone as the Boks pounded Portugal in their historic meeting. The clash saw an overhauled South African side featuring seven uncapped players emerge victorious, with Mapimpi bagging a hat-trick. Despite losing Andre Esterhuizen early in the match due to a red card, the Boks comfortably clinched their first victory against the Iberian side.
6: 32-15 win over Scotland in Edinburgh, 10 November
Eben Etzebeth led from the front as the Boks kicked off their end-of-year tour with a comfortable win over Scotland. The Scots showed tenacity, especially after being down to 14 men for 20 minutes, but the Springboks' vastly experienced bench, dominant scrum, and suffocating defense proved too much for their opposition.
5: 30-12 win over Australia in Perth, 17 August
Pieter-Steph du Toit stole the show as the Boks dominated the Wallabies to win back-to-back Tests in Perth for the first time since 1971. Despite early struggles and a disjointed first half marred by two yellow cards in the final quarter, the South Africans overpowered the Australians, relying on their driving maul to produce three tries.
4: 31-27 win over New Zealand in Johannesburg, 31 August
Kwagga Smith ignited a stunning comeback as the Boks claimed a thrilling victory in a rematch of the World Cup final against the All Blacks. Down 12-11 at halftime and trailing 27-17 with just 12 minutes remaining, the Boks stormed back with tries by Smith and Grant Williams to secure an exhilarating win and the top spot in the Rugby Championship standings.
3: 27-20 win over Ireland in Pretoria, 6 July
Jesse Kriel showcased his class as the Boks snapped their four-year losing streak against Ireland in a nail-biting encounter. The hosts opted for a wider attacking approach under the influence of new attack coach Tony Brown, resulting in a mix of successes and failures. Ultimately, moment of brilliance from Cheslin Kolbe and the impact of the "Bomb Squad" secured a hard-fought victory for the Springboks.
2: 33-7 win over Australia in Brisbane, 10 August
Rising star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu seized his first starting opportunity, leading the Boks to a convincing and history-making victory over Australia at Suncorp Stadium. The back-to-back World Cup champions utterly dominated the Wallabies, outscoring them by five tries to one and putting an end to their Brisbane hoodoo.
1: 48-7 win over Argentina in Nelspruit, 28 September
unstoppable Pieter-Steph du Toit spearheaded the charge as the Boks secured the Rugby Championship title with a commanding victory over Argentina. The team's performance in Nelspruit not only marked their fifth Rugby Championship title but also garnered them the adoration of their home fans before embarking on their well-deserved end-of-year tour.
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a revered sports journalist, having been named the MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. His extensive experience includes stints as the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com, senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, and freelance sports writer over the past 15 years.
- Quintin van Jaarsveld's analysis of the Springboks' triumphant 2024 season, discussed their unbeaten Rugby Championship title run, where they clinched the Freedom Cup after 10 years against New Zealand in Cape Town, with Captain Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx scoring the only tries.
- In the same season, the Springboks also displayed their skill and dominance on their end-of-year UK tour, achieving an 11-year unbeaten record with a 29-20 victory against England in London, thanks to Cheslin Kolbe's electrifying performance as Man of the Match.
- Radio and television broadcaster, Quintin van Jaarsveld, highlighted the Young Gun, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who led the unforgettable 33-7 victory over Australia at Suncorp Stadium during the Springboks' 13-game winning streak in 2024.
- Sports journalist Quintin van Jaarsveld recounted a rugged contention between the Springboks and Ireland, won by the South Africans 27-20 in Pretoria. In that match, Jesse Kriel demonstrated his prowess, leading the team to their first victory over Ireland in 4 years and ending their 4-year losing streak against them.
- Quintin van Jaarsveld, who was named SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year, looked back at the 2024 season, where the powerhouse South African rugby team, the Springboks, swept multiple international competitions, including the Rugby Championship, Qatar Airways Cup, Mandela Challenge Plate, Freedom Cup, and Prince William Cup, demonstrating their unparalleled physical prowess and mental resilience throughout their historic, unbeaten season.
