Handre Pollard could face Manie Libbok this weekend!

South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning flyhalves Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok could go head-to-head this weekend in the Champions Cup as the Leicester Tigers host the Stormers at Welford Road.

ALSO READ | Rugby World Cup 2023 final TMO quits after online abuse

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 10 December at 17:15 (SA time).

The pair were integral in the Springboks’ fourth World Cup title this year with Libbok steering the team through the pool stages before Pollard’s return where he kicked his side to victory in France.

Handre Pollard has been in great form for Leicester since his return and has been a big part of their recent three-win run in the Premiership.

For Libbok he has only just returned to the Stormers, who struggled without him, and powered his team to a bonus-point triumph over Zebre at the weekend.

The Stormers face a gruelling task of travelling to England to face Leicester and then returning home to take on defending champions La Rochelle.

MUST READ | Sevens log: Standings after Dubai leg

Coach John Dobson knows the importance of winning at home and openly declared that beating La Rochelle is a must.

He also suggested he would be taking a mixed side to Leicester without Springboks Damian Willemse and Deon Fourie.

Given there was no mention of Libbok and the Stormers’ lack of depth at flyhalf, it would suggest the playmaker will be on the plane.

ALSO READ | Player ratings: Best Springboks of 2023: Cheslin Kolbe

“Beating La Rochelle is non-negotiable,” Dobson said.

“If we get a point away from home it will be good, but you just can’t afford to lose at home.

“La Rochelle is not only important for us but also for Cape Town. It will be our first real home game of this season at DHL Stadium, and the season already started in October.

“With a few exceptions, the team that played against Zebre is the one that will face La Rochelle,” Dobson added.

“Does it make any sense to detour players like Damian Willemse and Deon Fourie to play in the northern hemisphere and then have them come back for a game six days later?”

ALSO READ | Springboks: Rassie hints at future new coach – report

It has been a brutal start to the season for the Stormers, who have only won three games from seven in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and will be hoping to use the Champions Cup – and the return of their Springboks – to ignite their campaign.

ALSO READ | Blitzboks handed dream draw for Cape Town Sevens