Rob Kearney 6


Took the easy way out in attempting to tackle Juan Smith for his try. But redeemed himself by sliding over late in the game.


Tommy Bowe 6.5


On a day when it was raining soup, his hands were forks. But his predatory instincts were still sharp with that second-half try.


Brian O'Driscoll 7


Tackled like a terrier, kicked judiciously and once again was a standout player in a team playing second violin.


Gordon D'Arcy 6


Big tackle count but didn't seem to have the bullocking qualities in his game to win us the mucky metres.


Luke Fitzgerald 7


Caught the eye from the off because he was prepared to try something to put the Boks on the back foot.


Jonathan Sexton 6


His first kick at goal set the tone for himself and too many others. Put this down as a bad day at the office.


Eoin Reddan 5


Inclined to telegraph his options too much and paid the price when Smith ran the length of the pitch to punish his passing indiscretion.


Cian Healy 5


His critics who suggest he is not able to live in this rarefied atmosphere got plenty of oxygen into their argument on this showing.


Rory Best 5.5


If this was a darts game, there were times when our thrower didn't even threaten the board.


Tony Buckley 5


A pit-bull of a man who turned in a chihuahua performance. Called ashore after 50 minutes. Big disappointment after some recent great Munster showings.


Donncha O'Callaghan 5


Doesn't appear to have the capacity to step up and become the main man in the engine room.


Mick O'Driscoll 5


Showed us why he should not be seriously considered for this level if we are serious.


Stephen Ferris 6


All-action guy who covered a lot of ground and made serious hits, but didn't put us on the front foot.


David Wallace 5


To be truthful would have preferred to have seen Seán O'Brien cut his teeth with this sort of experience.


Jamie Heaslip 5.5


His influence was mixed as his good driving and tackling was negated by bad handling on a few key occasions. Need to rebottle this fella with attitude.


Bench 8


Tom Court, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan all made immediate impacts when brought on. Rog hit the 100 not out. Pity about the conversion but we still need him around. Keith Earls not on long enough to rate.