Springboks to overlook Elton Jantjies in favour of Manie Libbok

Springboks primed to ignore Elton Jantjies in favour of Manie Libbok

Manie Libbok has moved above Elton Jantjies in the Springboks’ pecking order.

Manie Libbok kicks at goal for the Springboks. Image: Luca Sighinolfi/BackpagePix.

Manie Libbok is set to crack the nod at flyhalf for the Springboks for Saturday’s Rugby Championship showdown against Argentina at Ellis Park.

On the back of the Springboks’ 35-20 defeat to the All Blacks and with the Rugby World Cup in mind, Jacques Nienaber is expected to make a host of changes to South Africa’s matchday squad.

It’s been confirmed that the Springboks’ match 23 for the Argentina Test will be named at 12.30pm this Tuesday, with the clash against the Pumas at Ellis Park set to kick off at 5.05pm.

The likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Jesse Kriel are expected to come into the backline to face Argentina, while forwards such as Duane Vermeulen, Marco van Staden and Jean Kleyn should also be afforded more game-time.

SPRINGBOKS OPT FOR LIBBOK INSTEAD OF JANTJIES

But it’s at flyhalf where Nienaber is set to have made a big call. As reported by The South African, Libbok is believed to be favoured ahead of Elton Jantjies, who has struggled to break into the match day squad since his return to the Springboks fold.

Speaking in the build-up to this weekend’s clash at Ellis Park, Libbok told reporters he is now better equipped to start for the Springboks than he was in his debut last year.

“My debut was off the bench against France last year, and I was very nervous and unsure of myself … I did not know what to expect.

“This time around, I know the Springbok environment a lot better. I have got to know the coaches, and they have got to know me. I have got to know the players better. It is much easier this time.

“The big thing I have worked on is my kicking. I have improved my kick-pass and my up-and-unders, because kicking for territory or to reclaim the ball is a big part of the Bok game plan.”

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Looking ahead to the team’s final Rugby Championship battle, we’ve gathered some information, and this is the team that could look line up on Saturday.

Springboks’ possible line up: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane.

All in all, it would still be a very strong side, with a mix between Springbok regulars and a few ‘fringe’ players.

* Let us know by clicking on the comment button at the end of this article if you feel this is what the third Test team of the year could look like?

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