Manie Libbok has rubbished reports of a rift between him and Handre Pollard.
Images via Twitter: @springboks/ @ssrugby
Friends or foes? Manie Libbok responds to ‘rift’ with Pollard [watch]
Mutual respect or rivalry? Here’s what Manie Libbok had to say about fellow Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard returning to the team.
Manie Libbok has rubbished reports of a rift between him and Handre Pollard.
Images via Twitter: @springboks/ @ssrugby
Manie Libbok has rubbished reports of a “rift” with fellow player Handre Pollard, who recently joined the Springboks camp amid the Rugby World Cup.
The fly-halfs were rumoured to be at odds after reports that management was “undermining” Manie with the inclusion of Handre, who was brought in to replace an injured Malcolm Marx.
But Libbok has poured cold water on the claims, insisting he’s glad to have his teammate back.
South Africa will face off against Ireland in a clash on Saturday, 23 September.
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TROUBLE AT THE SPRINGBOKS CAMP?
Earlier this week, Handre Pollard was called up to join the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup. Pollard – who was not included in the original 33-man competition squad – flew from his club at Leicester Tigers to France to join his team.
But a retired Irish player, Andrew Trimble, claims that it was a bad move by management. This, after Manie Libbok has come under criticism over his kicking skills.
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He told Virgin Media Sport earlier this week: “As much as (Siya) Kolisi at the press conference stood up and defended Manie Libbok, then they bring in Pollard.
“They’ve been saying: ‘We’ve got Libbok’s back, we know he’s going to sort out his kicking game,’ but if you pick Pollard, that kind of undermines that.”
Despite Manie Libbok being picked in the squad for the clash against Ireland, Trimble’s comments have fuelled rumours that all is not well in the Springboks camp.
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MANIE LIBBOK RUBBISHES RUMOURS
In the midst of the social media commentary, SuperSport have posted a clip of Manie Libbok praising Handre Pollard.
In the clip, Libbok says: “He’s a world-class fly-half player. He’s been there and done that in the World Cup for us back in 2019, which is was awesome.
“To have a guy like him back in the squad helps me a lot. He helps me a lot in my preparation and what I should look for and what I should do when I’m in certain situations in the game.”
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He added: “It’s nice to have him back in the in the squad”
