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Rassie Erasmus believes Manie Libbok can help steer the Springboks to Rugby Championship glory, and it’s not just up to the flyhalf to address his goal-kicking woes.
Libbok and Jaden Hendrikse have been paired for the first time as the starting Bok halfbacks against Argentina in the title-decider at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The world champions need only a point from the match to guarantee their first Rugby Championship title since 2019, and their first full tournament title since 2009. They will also clinch the title if Los Pumas win the match without a bonus point based on competition points.
Libbok came in for criticism after missing a last-minute penalty which would have given South Africa the lead going into the final play of last week’s defeat to the Argentinians in Santiago.
Erasmus praised Libbok for his general play in naming him in the starting XV for Saturday’s clash in Nelspruit, adding: “Manie’s general play is fantastic, and he brings a lot of energy and playmaking abilities to the backline.
“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.”
Eben Etzebeth is also named to start and set to become the most-capped Bok of all time. Erasmus lauded the two-time world champion for his impressive career milestone.
TEAM: New Bok halfbacks, Eben to break record
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most-capped Springbok ever, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” he said.
“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.”
In total, Erasmus made nine changes and one positional switch to the starting XV, recalling six double World Cup winners to the run-on lineup.
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, which would see Felipe Contepomi’s men claim the title based on the fact that they would have had two wins over SA.
“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 [July] series.
“The match 23 also includes 19 Rugby World Cup winners, which will bode well for the team, 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.”
Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images