South Africa report card: Springboks run out of steam

ByFraser Masefield

Updated 24/10/2015 at 19:30 GMT

South Africa came up just short of a third Rugby World Cup final, losing a tense encounter 20-18 - here's how they rated.

MATCH GRADE: B

Came in as underdogs but showed huge character and fight, dominating the breakdown in the first half to lead at the break. Just ran out of steam at the death.

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1. Duane Vermeulen

A massive first half with some key turnovers. Carried the game to the All Blacks for the entire 80.

2. Handre Pollard

His metronomic boot kept the Springboks in touch with 15 points. Didn't miss a kick and never looked like doing so.

3. Willem Le Roux

Some superb catches under the high ball when New Zealand kept testing him out early on. Barely put a foot wrong.

SOUTH AFRICA COACH HEYNEKE MEYER

There are no words, our discipline was not good enough in the second half.

KEY STATS

Only one previous Rugby World Cup semi-final has seen a closer points difference at the final whistle, France beating Wales 9-8 in 2011.

BAD DAY

Bryan Habana

At fault for New Zealand's opening try, coming off his wing too early before being sin-binned. Recovered well but a sad end for a great player.

Bryan Habana of South Africa (C) runs with the ball past Nehe Milner-Skudder of New Zealand (R)

Image credit: Reuters

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