Springboks: Rassie Erasmus explains Manie Libbok selection after missing clutch kick
Rassie Erasmus has explained why Manie Libbok has been named in the starting lineup against Argentina.
Manie Libbok has been named in the Springboks’ starting XV for the final Rugby Championship clash against Argentina on Saturday.
This is despite his missed kick against Los Pumas last time out which ultimately led to the Boks losing the encounter 29-28.
However, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has backed the playmaker to bounce back quickly and has promoted him from the bench into the starting XV for the Rugby Championship decider in Nelspruit.
Rassie explains Libbok selection
Libbok joins Jaden Hendrikse as the starting half-back pairing for the crunch game as Erasmus has made six personnel changes and one positional switch to his starting XV.
Included in that is lock Eben Etzebeth who also moves from the bench into the number four jumper as he overtakes Victor Matfield on the Springboks’ all-time leading appearances list to become the most capped South African player.
Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende and Siya Kolisi all return too with the latter skippering the team.
Bok boss Erasmus says that Libbok’s struggles off the tee is not an individual issue and one that the team will need to find a solution for together.
He added that Libbok’s general play is a real weapon for the team and has backed the Stormers man to shine in the rematch against Los Pumas.
“Manie’s general play is fantastic, and he brings a lot of energy and play-making abilities to the backline,” Erasmus said.
“He dictates play well, so we back Manie fully to do the job for us at fly-half.
“It’s not just up to him to find solutions for his goal-kicking, it is something we have to do as a team, and we are working on a plan.”
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The Pumas challenge
South Africa are in the driver’s seat in terms of the Rugby Championship title with Argentina needing to deny the Boks a single table point and claim a bonus-point victory of their own in order to win the title.
Despite this fact, Erasmus said that the Springboks’ goal is to win the match and finish the competition on a high note in what is their final game on home soil in 2024.
“We know it’s not going to be easy because Argentina really believe they have what it takes to win the title,” the Bok boss said.
“They showed that anything is possible by defeating New Zealand at home and registering a record-breaking victory over Australia as well, so although we are close to claiming the title, we are taking nothing for granted.
“The Pumas are a lot like South Africans. They come from a country where their players have also had to overcome great challenges to be where they are today, and this is the first time in history they have a shot at winning the trophy, so they’ll come out guns blazing because they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
“They showed the quality of rugby they can play all around last week, and they run hard, which is one of the reasons we opted for a five-three split for this game, so we are preparing for a proper final and we know it will take a massive 23-man effort for the full 80 minutes to win the trophy.”
READ MORE: Rugby Championship: What the Springboks and Argentina need in the final round to win the title
