Manie Libbok set to return at 10 as Springboks rest Sacha
Manie Libbok is set return to the Springbok team for the crucial Rugby Championship clash against Argentina next weekend.
Last year, Manie Libbok was the only specialist flyhalf who travelled to the World Cup with the Springboks, ultimately playing a central part in the victorious campaign.
However, he has ultimately served a very different role this season, only starting in the one-off Test against Portugal before featuring off the bench in the second Rugby Championship match against Australia.
Libbok has effectively been leapfrogged in the flyhalf pecking order by versatile Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but there is no doubt that the Stormers star still remains very much in the Springboks’ thinking.
With Feinberg-Mngomezulu one of seven players who will be rested for the next Test in Argentina, it’s expected that Libbok will reclaim the No 10 jersey in order to gain some much-needed game-time.
“Manie is competitive, like all the guys are,” the Springbok coach commented when discussing Libbok last week. “We’ve got the theory that if you want to go to 2027, we must have a Springbok squad of 50. If we want guys to go to the next World Cup, who are 30/32, then they can’t play every Test match.
“Manie is there. He is probably one of the fittest guys. He is very positive, but it must be hurting a bit (not being selected regularly this season).”
The Springboks currently lead the Rugby Championship standings with 18 points with four victories in as many games, while Argentina are on 10 points, followed by New Zealand (seven) and Australia (four).
This means South Africa only need three more log points from their two remaining matches to guarantee their first title since 2019.
Should they achieve this feat it would wrap up a magnificent tournament for the team, after winning the Mandela Challenge Plate against Australia and the Freedom Cup against New Zealand.
“We have been open about our policy to try to give as many players in our wider squad as possible a chance to play against the top teams in the world,” said Erasmus.
“We believe playing against Argentina in Santiago, where we are expecting a massive encounter in front of a hostile crowd, will serve as a great test for this group of players.
“The players we decided to rest have really done their bit this season and their bodies deserve a break, so we thought the best for them would be to enjoy a break and spend time with their families before joining us in Nelspruit.
“All of the players in the 28-man squad have been in the set-up this year and have proved their worth, so we are delighted to give them an opportunity to face Argentina on their home ground.
“Argentina proved last week what a force they can be at home by defeating the Wallabies by 67-27 in Santa Fe, so we know how tough the match will be against them, and this is exactly what we want our players to experience as we continue to build the group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.”
LATEST SPRINGBOK SQUAD AS MANIE LIBBOK CRACKS THE NOD
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch, Ox Nche (both Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls).
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi (both Sharks).
Utility back: Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
DO YOU LIKE THE MAKE-UP OF THE SQUAD?
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