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Manie Libbok thrown World Cup final lifeline by Nienaber after first-half axing
By Josh Raisey
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has explained the decision behind replacing his starting fly-half Manie Libbok after only 30 minutes for Handre Pollard in his side’s 16-15 World Cup semi-final victory over England at the Stade de France, saying “it’s for South Africa”.
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In a match played in torrid conditions, Libbok was withdrawn by the South Africa coaching staff with only 31 minutes played while trailing England 9-3 at the time. Pollard went on to kick eight points, including a clutch, long range match-winning penalty with just minutes remaining in his player of the match performance.
Speaking after the match, Nienaber cited other incidents where he and Rassie Erasmus have removed players before half-time, saying sometimes it was just for “that specific day”. He stressed how the players went on to start the following week before suggesting Libbok will be in contention to start next week in the World Cup final against the All Blacks.
“The beauty of this group is we are open and honest, and because we have the right players, the players accept it,” Nienaber said.
“Sometimes things aren’t going your way. We did it with Bongi [Mbonambi] in 2018. We took him off after 30 minutes. He was just, for that specific day, he was just not on fire. But he started the next week again.The same with the guy like Willie [le Roux], we took him off early, because things didn’t go his way.
“The main thing is everything is for the team, and they understand that and that’s the beauty of the squad. We’re open and honest and players take it on the chin and it doesn’t mean that he won’t start next week. It’s just unfortunately sometimes it’s like that.
“I think every single opportunity where we got we utilized, both him and Handre. The kick that he also kicked at the beginning was a tough one. But listen, that’s how it is, it’s for South Africa. It’s not for the individual, it’s not for the ego, it’s for South Africa.”
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The Springboks suffered from fatigue after the French game.Prior to that game they had to fight hard to survive the pool of death.It came as a surprise that the same squad was selected to play England.
If the Springboks keep the team unchanged again for the finals then be assured , they will not get pass NZL.
The door should be wide open for excellent players such Esterhuysen and Am after the England fiasco.
No ways that the Springboks can tackle the finals with exhausted players.
More surprised that they pull the captain of at 60 something ish ..
I don't think there’s any need for drama. Is there a player in any country who has never had a “kak” game? Manie had a kak game and he got pulled. He’ll be back
They can’t beat NZ with a game like that. It will be interesting to see the game plans as they unfold.
Word from the changing room was that he had his boots on the wrong feet. Someone had changed the L on R he writes on them to remember which one goes on which foot.
Those conditions probably didn't suit how Libbok likes to play the running game. Based solely on that it was a good ploy to sub him early in this game. But I would start him next week, to do otherwise would signal an intent to play a tight game plan, which could reduce the threat of their backs