Player ratings: Lions avoid Springboks whitewash

The National rates the Lions and Springbok players for the final Test at Ellis Park.

ZANE KIRCHNER: Not a Test debut to savour after he blew a gilt-edged scoring chance. Hesitant throughout - 5/10. ODWA NDUNGANE: Denied a consolation try by the television match official, and was largely inconsistent - 6. JAQUE FOURIE: Never able to stamp his strong-running game on the contest, and found the Lions defence in unforgiving mood - 6. WYNAND OLIVIER: Saw his pass intercepted by Ugo Monye for the Lions' clinching score. Worked hard, though - 6. JONGI NOKWE: Struggled to make any impact on the game before being substituted - 5. MORNE STEYN: Booted three penalties, but could not reproduce his heroics of Pretoria last weekend as South Africa were outclassed - 6. FOURIE DU PREEZ: Went off injured midway through the contest - and South Africa missed him terribly - 6. TENDAI MTAWARIRA: Given a testing examination by his opposite number Phil Vickery - unlike in Durban a fortnight ago - 6. CHILIBOY RALEPELLE: Lacked the physical presence of the player he replaced, Bismarck du Plessis - 5. JOHN SMIT: The Springboks skipper saw his side suffer their first defeat at Ellis Park since 2001, but he could have no complaints - 5. JOHANN MULLER: A poor deputy for the banned Bakkies Botha, as South Africa sorely missed their second-row enforcer - 5. VICTOR MATFIELD: Performed solidly in the lineouts, but nowhere near as effective without Botha alongside him - 6. HEINRICH BRUSSOW: An indisciplined effort by the Cheetahs flanker, who had replaced banned flanker Schalk Burger - 5. JUAN SMITH: Hard-working as usual, but lacked inspiration from his team-mates around him - 7. RYAN KANKOWSKI: Watched closely by the Lions, who did not allow him any freedom in the loose - 6. REPLACEMENTS FRANCOIS STEYN: Took over from the struggling Kirchner after 56 minutes - 6. RUAN PIENAAR: A half-time replacement for injured scrum-half Du Preez - 6. BISMARCK DU PLESSIS: South Africa could have done with his uncompromising presence from the start - 6. PIERRE SPIES: The Blue Bulls number eight enjoyed his late run - 6. GUTHRO STEENKAMP: Went on for Mtawarira as the clock ticked down - 5.

ROB KEARNEY: Another impressive display from the Ireland full-back, who attacked and defended with equal quality. 7/10. UGO MONYE: Scored his fifth try of the tour with a 70-metre interception effort that eased the Lions home. 7 TOMMY BOWE: Switched from wing into midfield because of injuries, and he didn't disappoint. 7 RIKI FLUTEY: Produced a memorable performance on his Lions Test debut, unforgettably creating one try and stopping another through a stunning tackle. 8 SHANE WILLIAMS: Scored two tries to equal the Lions' Test record in one match, showcasing his renowned finishing quality. 7 STEPHEN JONES: Kicked 13 points to end the tour as top scorer. Another assured contribution. 7 MICHAEL PHILLIPS: A thorn in South Africa's side all game. Aggressive, skilled and wonderfully-committed. 8 ANDREW SHERIDAN: Helped ensure the Lions scrum encountered few problems. 7 MATTHEW REES: Went off just before half-time after taking a knock to his head, but worked hard prior to his exit. 7 PHIL VICKERY: Unlike in Durban a fortnight ago, the England World Cup winner held his own against scrum rival Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira. 7 SIMON SHAW: Yellow-carded just before half-time but he returned to ensure the Lions never lost a grip. 7 PAUL O'CONNELL: The Lions captain led his team to their biggest win against South Africa for 35 years. 7 JOE WORSLEY: Tackled himself into the ground before injury forced him off in the second half. 7 MARTYN WILLIAMS: A memorable display of perpetual motion from the Wales flanker on his Lions Test debut. Irrepressible. 8 JAMIE HEASLIP: Produced probably the game of his life. A colossal contributor across the field. 9 REPLACEMENTS ROSS FORD: Went on for Rees after 38 minutes and delivered a solid display. 6 JOHN HAYES: The Irishman replaced Vickery after 55 minutes. 6 HARRY ELLIS: Took over from an injured Flutey, which meant Phillips moving into midfield. 6 TOM CROFT: Replaced Worsley midway through the second period. 6 ALUN-WYN JONES: Gained a late run instead of Shaw. 6 DAVID WALLACE: Played the final minutes when Williams' work was done. 6