Australia easily disposed of South Africa in the opening Tri-Nations match in Sydney on Saturday, the 39-20 scoreline flattering the Springboks.

It was the Wallaby backs that showed up the Boks' defensive frailties.

Jan de Koning rates the Australian players:

15 Kurtley Beale:
He did the basics well and was never troubled by the big Bok bombs.
7/10

14 James O'Connor:
Showed his attacking skills against a very ordinary Bok defence.
7/10

13 Adam Ashley-Cooper:
Was strong with ball in hand and never let his team down on defence.
6/10

12 Pat McCabe:
Always threatened the Boks on attack.
7/10

11 Digby Ioane:
As always played a big game on attack and showed up the Boks' leaky defence.
8/10

10 Quade Cooper:
Not flawless, but still a man to always watch with the ball in hand.
7/10

9 Will Genia:
The genius of the Wallaby backline. His service was exceptional.
8/10

8 Ben McCalman:
Made his Bok rival, Ashley Johnson, look like a beginner.
7/10

7 David Pocock:
AS always a huge influence at the breakdown.
8/10

6 Rocky Elsom (captain):
Still finding his best form, but always good value.
6/10

5 James Horwill:
Showed up the Bok second row for being second rate.
7/10

4 Rob Simmons:
Dominated in the line-outs.
8/10

3 Ben Alexander:
In a game where the Bok tight five was no threat, he enjoyed the freedom afforded to him.
6/10

2 Stephen Moore:
His try was good value for a good performance.
7/10

1 Sekope Kepu:
Looked shaky in the scrums at times and was penalised on occasion.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Saia Fainga'a (on for Stephen Moore in the 60th min):
Came on when the Wallabies took their foot off the gas, but did nothing wrong.
6/10

17 Pekahou Cowan:
Not used.

18 Nathan Sharpe (on for Kurtley Beale 71st min):
Just made up the numbers, because Australia only had two backline replacements. Not enough time to be rated.

19 Matt Hodgson (on for David Pocock, 65th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

20 Scott Higginbotham (on for Rocky Elsom, 57th min):
Did not make the impact that was expected, but did nothing wrong.
6/10

21 Nick Phipps (on for Will Genia, 65th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Anthony Fainga'a (on for Adam Ashley-Cooper, 64th min):
Not enough time to be rated.