Flyhalf Manie Libbok must step up against Wales and New Zealand to prove why the Springboks were right not picking Elton Jantjies for the World Cup, writes GAVIN RICH.
Libbok, with three starts in seven Tests under his belt, and DHL Stormers teammate Damian Willemse will vie for the Bok No 10 jersey over the coming weeks, in the wake of Handre Pollard’s injury omission for the 33-man squad going to France.
The world champions face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, in the first of two World Cup warm-up matches, with the second at Twickenham when SA and the All Blacks lock horns on Friday, 25 August.
A World Cup winner, the 46-Test Jantjies has been a fixture in Bok squads for the past six years, and was called up for the Rugby Championship as injury cover for Pollard and Willemse.
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However, Jantjies was released before head coach Jacques Nienaber announced the final contingent to defend the Webb Ellis Cup, and writing for SuperSport.com, Rich argues that the veteran playmaker’s absence may prove telling if Libbok struggles as the first-choice pivot.
“If you do a roll call of the flyhalves who have won the World Cup for their teams you will note experience and proven ability at the highest level before the tournament as the predominating trend,” he writes.
“Which is why there perhaps should have been more fuss made last week about the omission of the fit Elton Jantjies than there was of the absence of the clearly still rehabilitating Pollard.
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“He wouldn’t be the first option, but given he was also part of the squad that won in Japan in 2019, and played a big role in preparing the team for the final … surely he should have been there as one of the flyhalves.
“This week’s game will be followed by the one against New Zealand in London six days later and it is a fact that Libbok has yet to start against the All Blacks.
“He’s also never been part of a team that has won against an opponent ranked in the top five in the world. So this is a big two weeks for the No 10.”
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