Rassie starts Libbok and benches Pollard for insurance in Rugby Championship decider

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted to start flyhalf Manie Libbok for the Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Nelspruit with Handré Pollard on the bench.

Libbok missed a last-minute, straightforward kick – at least as straightforward as kicks can be at Test Level – against the Pumas in Santiago del Estero last week. That miss gave the Pumas a 29-28 victory and ensured that they still have an outside chance of winning the 2024 Rugby Championship.

Going into the match, the Boks are on 19 log points with the Pumas in second on 14 points. The Boks need at least a losing bonus point to ensure the Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019.

The only permutation that would see Argentina snatch the title from the Boks is if Los Pumas win with a bonus point and deny the hosts a point at Mbombela Stadium. The Pumas would claim the title based on the fact that they would have had two wins over the Boks.

It’s a tough task for the Pumas but one they won’t shy away from. They’ve already beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand this year, scored a record 67-27 win over Australia and beaten the Boks. Lack of confidence will not be an issue for Felipe Contepomi’s men.

Backing Manie

Confidence, or lack of it, might be an issue for Libbok after last week’s bad miss. Which is why Erasmus is again demonstrating decisive psychology by selecting Libbok to start.

While it shows that Erasmus is not ready to give up on Libbok, despite a poor record of converting pressure kicks, he has also given himself insurance in the form of Pollard.

Barring injury, or being in the sin bin, Pollard should be on the field for the final 30 minutes, when a late, deciding kick to give the Boks the result they require might be needed.

It’s a smart way for Erasmus to show the public that he still backs Libbok to an extent, but just not enough to close the game out with pressure goal-kicks. That is Pollard’s forte.

Despite his error last weekend, Libbok produced a strong tactical kicking game against Pumas. His accurate contestable kicks ensured the Boks were able to control the match in terms of territory and momentum during the second half last week, after trailing 26-22 at the break.

It almost worked, too. In spite of many mistakes throughout the match, the Boks managed to put themselves one kick away from victory. Unfortunately, Libbok missed the vital kick in the moment he was required to step up.

This week, Libbok might be relieved from the pressure of having to slot a deciding kick, but his goal-kicking will still be under scrutiny because he needs to slot points to give the Boks momentum.

Libbok has been paired with Jaden Hendrikse to start with Damian de Allende back alongside Jesse Kriel in the midfield.

Cheslin Kolbe returns on the wing in place of Makazole Mapimpi with Aphelele Fassi retaining the fullback jersey after another strong outing in Santiago del Estero. There is no place for Willie le Roux, who is three caps short of his century, in the match-day 23.

“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 flyhalf.

“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.”

Record Etzebeth

Lock Eben Etzebeth also returns to the starting lineup where he will earn a Springbok record 128th cap, breaking the mark he shared with Victor Matfield.

It’s a remarkable achievement of longevity and consistency from the giant second rower who has redefined the Bok No 4 role, from one that was largely based on brute force to one of finesse and skill as well.

“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever,” Erasmus said. “We are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him.

“If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory, it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual, and we’ll give everything to make this a special day for him.”

Etzebeth pairs up with Ruan Nortjé. The duo won 53 lineouts during the campaign.

Other returnees are Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flank) and Siya Kolisi (flank) who resumes as captain after watching from the coaches’ box in Argentina.

The changes meant that Erasmus named the same starting pack that defeated New Zealand 18-12 in Cape Town and the same five forward replacements, while reverting to a five-three split in favour of the forwards on the bench. 

Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch (both props), Malcolm Marx (hooker), Elrigh Louw and Kwagga Smith are the forwards on the bench. 

Nothing to lose

“We planned to recall the players we rested last week because it allowed us to ensure that we have a group of core players who remained in the South African time zone and who would slot back into the team with ease,” said Erasmus.

“They will not only bring fresh legs and vast experience to the team, it also allows us to select a settled team that played most of the matches in the incoming series.

“The match 23 also includes 19 Rugby World Cup winners, while the other players selected have performed under immense pressure in the competition this season and they all deserve their places in the squad.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge against an Argentinean team that has something special brewing in their set-up and who will give everything to win their first title in the competition, and we selected this team with that in mind.

“We know it’s not going to be easy because Argentina really believe they have what it takes to win the title, and 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,” said the Bok coach.

“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. This is the first time in history they have a shot at winning the trophy. 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.” DM

Springboks

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché.

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.