Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has doubled down in his support for struggling flyhalf Manie Libbok, selecting him to start against Argentina in the crucial final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Libbok has been the subject of much criticism from Bok supporters since Saturday as he missed a 79th minute penalty that would have given the Boks a victory over Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero, but the miss meant the Boks lost by a single point and failed to wrap up the Rugby Championship a week out from the final game.
Eben Etzebeth will become the most-capped Springbok of all time in Nelspruit on Saturday - team announcement: https://t.co/7il888zjh3 4⃣🇿🇦#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Cdl0l4vrL4
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 24, 2024
Now the Boks need to win in Nelspruit to be assured of victory, or lose with a bonus point while Argentine need to win with a bonus point and deny the Boks to steal the Championship away from them.
Libbok hasn’t played much rugby for the Boks this year, with upstart Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu usurping his spot with his meteoric rise in the Bok squad.
A tough outing in Argentina, but we have one week to fix it...#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/UkrpIptfXG
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 22, 2024
And while Libbok is a fine attacking player, his place-kicking has often been the subject of debate as he has missed relatively easy place kicks while slotting some difficult ones.
In the Rugby World Cup last year he was the starting flyhalf, but missed kicks in the loss against Ireland and was replaced by Handre Pollard for the latter part of the tournament with Pollard slotting the crucial penalties in one-point victories over France, England and New Zealand to win the World Cup.
Libbok has only played against Portugal this year and his inclusion last week against Argentina was seen as his chance to re-establish himself in the squad. Despite the missed penalty, the Boks have backed Libbok despite criticism of the kick last week.
The Boks also kept fullback Aphelele Fassi in his role after another good performance last week while returning six of the seven players that were left behind in South Africa while the team headed to South America.
Cheslin Kolbe returns at right wing, with Kurt-Lee Arendse on the left while Damian de Allende replaces Lukhanyo Am at inside centre while Jaden Hendrikse partners Libbok at halfback.
Captain Siya Kolisi, who missed the test in Argentina, returns along with workhorse Pieter-Steph du Toit, while Jasper Wiese keeps his spot at eight.
Eben Etzebeth has been included at lock and will become the most-capped player in Springbok history when he takes the field on Saturday, after he equalled Victor Matfield’s record of 127 caps last weekend from the bench.
Ruan Nortje keeps his spot at lock, while Frans Malherbe and Bongi Mbonambi join Ox Nche in the front row.
On the bench Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch and Gerhard Steenekamp are the back up front row, while the Boks have reverted to a five three bench with Elrigh Louw and Kwagga Smith the other forwards on the bench.
Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo Am are the backline reserves.
Springbok team: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Manie Libbok, Jaden Hendrikse; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, Gerhard Steenekamp, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am.