Boks make powerful statement in Dublin, clinching victory

DAMIAN Willemse’s finger-to-the-lips celebration after scoring the first try in the corner, followed by Rassie Erasmus’ satisfied thumbs-up to the crowd after the whistle, was a picture-perfect opening and ending to the Test in Dublin for the Springboks.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS [e-mail]

To cap off a special Saturday evening for South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, veteran hooker Malcolm Marx received the World Rugby Men's Player of the Year award.

It was fitting for Marx to receive it in the Irish capital against the same team that broke his tibia last season when they faced each other in Durban.

“It hasn't really sunk in yet, to be honest,” Marx said about the award.

“To be fair, none of this is achieved without the team environment that we have, the management and players. We are a tight-knit group, and things like this happen when you have a group like this.