Manie’s form has done for Elton

The Springboks have flown to Buenos Aires with just one Jantjies left fighting for a place in the squad for Rugby World Cup 2023, but the survivor is not flyhalf Elton.

In Japan four years ago Herschel Jantjies, then in his first international season, and namesake Elton were the backup halfbacks to the starting duo of Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard. This time around it is unlikely that either of them will be there, as Stormers No 9 Herschel looks to have fallen behind Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams in the pecking order.

The injury sustained by Williams in the final Castle Lager Rugby Championship test at the weekend may leave the door slightly ajar for the younger Jantjies (he and Elton are not related), but Cobus Reinach started the opening game against the Wallabies and if he gets to play in Buenos Aires in the first RWC warmup game on Saturday it will be Herschel’s first involvement.

Bok coach Jacques Nienaber announced a squad of 26 for the trip to Buenos Aires, with most of the players who have not featured that much so far in the group. The likes of Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp were on the chartered flight out of Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday morning, as was Jean-Luc du Preez, Evan Roos, Deon Fourie and Munster lock Jean Kleyn, who made an impressive debut against the Australians.

Although Damian Willemse is there as a utility back, Manie Libbok is the only specialist flyhalf in the squad, with it being announced in the press release confirming the travelling group that due to the imminent recovery from injury of Handre Pollard, which is excellent news, Elton Jantjies had been released from the squad.

BIG OFF-FIELD ROLE IN 2019

Jantjies played a big off-field role in helping prepare the Boks for the 2019 World Cup final but never featured in an onfield role once the knock-outs arrived because of the decision to switch to the Bomb Squad six/two split between forwards and backs. The utility skills of the now recently retired Frans Steyn were preferred, and Willemse is likely to play a similar role at the coming World Cup.

Former Emirates Lions captain Jantjies of course was still considered the Bok back-up flyhalf to Pollard until an off-field controversy forced him home early from the away leg of the 2022 Rugby Championship campaign. Libbok, who’d helped the DHL Stormers to their famous triumph in the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship, was given an opportunity in his stead as Willemse performed the stand in role on the last end of year tour, and his second half showing against Italy in particular confirmed his potential.

He built further on that showing in the opening Championship clash of 2023 against Australia, which was also his first start, and his performance was passable in the most recent game against the Pumas, where the Bok backs were consigned mainly to defensive roles. So it looks like Jantjies’ international career, barring perhaps an injury in the build-up to the World Cup, is now over, while Libbok has clearly earned the trust of the coaches and will be one of the three flyhalves (including the Willemse utility role) going forward.

FRINGE PLAYERS INCENTIVISED

The poor performance in Johannesburg should have incentivised the fringe players who will play in Buenos Aires, while someone like lock Lood de Jager will have to use the game to get back into the groove after he looked rusty against the All Blacks two weeks ago. With Franco Mostert capable of playing both lock and blindside flank, and therefore having good utility value, it is likely that Marvin Orie will be the second row forward in the travelling group to miss out on World Cup selection.

Another player who needs to pick up after a poor game against the All Blacks is No 8 Jasper Wiese and it will be interesting to see which of him or Roos will start in the return against the Pumas on Saturday.

Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Trevor Nyakane (all props), Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Orie (lock), Libbok (flyhalf), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing), Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am (both centres) and Willemse (utility back) are the players in the group for Buenos Aires who were involved in the Championship game against the Pumas.

With Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen among the players who have remained in South Africa, the Boks will have to appoint a new captain for Saturday’s game, with Lukhanyo Am, who has led the Cell C Sharks, and Kitshoff the favourites. Outside centre might be a bit far away from the action for the liking of the coaches so Kitshoff, who led the Stormers to their URC triumph in 2022, is the man likely to take the captaincy armband. His Stormers teammate Deon Fourie also has captaincy experience.

SPRINGBOK SQUAD TO TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA:

Props: Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Gerhard Steenekamp, Trevor Nyakane.

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi, Joseph Dweba.

Locks: Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie.

Loose forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez, Evan Roos, Jasper Wiese.

,strong>Utility forwards: Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert.

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach.

Flyhalf: Manie Libbok.

Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel.

Outside Backs: Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Utility back: Damian Willemse.

PLAYERS REMAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA:

Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (loose forward), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Siya Kolisi (flank), Frans Malherbe (prop), Malcolm Marx (hooker), Ox Nche (prop), Kwagga Smith (loose forward), RG Snyman (lock), Marco van Staden (flank), Duane Vermeulen (No 8).

Backs: Damian de Allende (centre), Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Willie le Roux (fullback), Handre Pollard (flyhalf), Grant Williams (scrumhalf).