Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok
Image: X /@sport_wordsmith
Rugby World Cup | Springboks v France: Libbok starts ahead of Pollard
Libbok starts ahead of Pollard for the Springboks’ World Cup Quarter-final clash with France at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.
Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok
Image: X /@sport_wordsmith
Speaking to The South African via WhatsApp video call from his home in the City of Lights, the former South African under-19 and France international Antonie Claasen gives his thoughts on Manie Libbok’s selection ahead of Handré Pollard for Sunday evening’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown between the Springboks and France at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.
ALSO READ: Springboks announce team to face France in Paris
Classen believed the Springboks should have selected Pollard ahead of Libbok for such a crucial Test match. The World Cup hinges on the ability to kick your goals in knock-out rugby, something that South Africa has done well. A high-percentage goal-kicker has led the Boks to three World Cup titles.
Pollard’s boot has a proven track record, Libbok’s boot has been costly for the Springboks
Pollard’s boot was instrumental for his team in the 2019 World Cup semi-final versus Wales and the final against England, which saw the Boks lift the William Webb Ellis for a third time. “I’d probably have started Pollard,” Classed said. “You will be guaranteed to get points on the board before bringing on Libbok.”
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-final: France v South Africa
Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus have kept faith with under-fire flyhalf Manie Libbok ahead of the Springboks’ World Cup Quarter-final clash with France, selecting the 26-year-old playmaker ahead of Handré Pollard. Pollard replaced Makazole Mapimpi in the Boks’ squad after the winger fractured his eye socket against Tonga in South Africa’s final Pool B match in Marseille.
Pollard, selected on the bench, brings much-needed confidence for his experience but more for his goal-kicking ability. Classen explains his thought process: “If the game gets loose in the second half, you can always bring Libbok on. He’s such an attacking flyhalf. He creates distress and uncertainty in the opposition’s defence, especially if you bring him on for the last 20 or 30 minutes to have a crack at France.”
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup history of France v South Africa
Claasen warns goal-kicking has cost South Africa before and during this Rugby World Cup
South Africa has lost several Test matches because of poor goal-kicking going back to the 2021 British & Irish Lions series. Test matches were lost to England in the 2021 Autumn Internationals and Australia in The Rugby Championship in the same year. Defeat to Wales in 2022 in Bloemfontein followed. Poor goal-kicking proved costly last year against Ireland and again against the Irish in the Pool stages of this Rugby World Cup.
ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-final: Springboks v France: Antonie Classen’s view
Classen sounds a warning and cites theSpringboks’ Pool B epic match against the Irish as an example of needing a goal-kicker to win tight games. “This game will be about the small details and the small margins. Pollard is excellent from the tee,” he said. “We saw against Ireland: if you don’t kick your points, you won’t beat the best teams in the world.”
ALSO READ: Antoine Dupont to face the Springboks after training in headgear
