Springbok Manie Libbok has responded to his early substitution in SA’s game against England.
Images via Twitter:
@jaredwright17
‘Not on fire’: Manie Libbok reacts to Springboks coach comments [watch]
Springbok Manie Libbok has responded to his early substitution in the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England.
Springbok Manie Libbok has responded to his early substitution in SA’s game against England.
Images via Twitter:
@jaredwright17
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has defended his early substitution of Manie Libbok in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England on Saturday night.
And according to the man in charge, it had to be done for the team’s sake.
Libbok was substituted in the first half of the game in favour of Handre Pollard, who helped SA win the game 15-16.
The Boks will play New Zealand in a final next weekend at the Stade De France.
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SPRINGBOKS COACH DEFENDS MANIE LIBBOK SUB
In a post-match media briefing, Jacques Nienaber revealed the rationale behind Libbok’s substitution for Handre Pollard.
He said: “The beauty of this group is we are open and honest, and because we have the right players, the players accept it. Sometimes, things aren’t going your way.
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“We did it with Bongi [Mbonambi] in 2018. We took him off. For that specific day, he just was not on fire, but he started the next week again.
Nienaber stressed that the move was not personal. He added that it wouldn’t affect the selection for next week’s game against the All Blacks.
“The main thing is everything is for the team, and they understand that. Players take it on the chin. It doesn’t mean he [Libbok] won’t start next week. We didn’t miss a kick at goal tonight, every single opportunity we utilised, with him and Handre [Pollard]. That is how it is. It is for South Africa, not for the individual, not for the ego.
ALSO READ: ‘A tip or two’: Rassie hints Handre Pollard helped Manie Libbok with kicks
“We get messages, and we see every single message that gets sent to us. It is for them. The Springboks are more important than anything else.”
MANIE LIBBOK RESPONDS
Meanwhile, Manie Libbok echoed the coach’s comments.
He said: “It is always a team effort. I am just stoked for what the guys did tonight.
“It was something special. I am just proud of the guys for sticking in there. I am stoked for the guys coming off the bench and lifting the tempo of the game.”
WHO WILL MAKE THE SQUAD AGAINST NEW ZEALAND?
On Saturday, Springboks fans commented on the selection of the squad against England, who remained unchanged from their previous game against France a week earlier.
ALSO READ: Healthy competition? Springboks fans credit Handre Pollard for Manie Libbok’s performance
On social media, users commented how many players – including Siya Kolisi, RG Snyman, and Franco Mostert- looked fatigued. They also added that coaches need to select “fresh legs” for the game.
“This squad won’t win us the Cup. Unfortunately, we need big changes”, posted one tweep.
The official squad selection will be made later this week.
