Springbok boss on Libbok-Pollard situation: ‘It’s about the team, not ego’

The Springboks will contest the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, but it remains uncertain who will start at flyhalf, especially after what transpired in the No 10 position in the semi-final against England.

The Springboks edged England 16-15 in one of the most intense and nerve-wrecking Test matches of this World Cup, after the South Africans had to dig deep to come from 15-6 down to win by a single point.

ALSO READ | Ratings – Pollard completes incredible comeback for Springboks

BOMB SQUAD WINS IT FOR SPRINGBOKS

The Springboks were comprehensive outplayed by the English and it was down to South Africa’s Bomb Squad bench to turn things around, with Handre Pollard, Ox Nche and RG Snyman at the centre of the remarkable result.

But while Nche and Snyman came on as substitutes in the second half, Pollard was introduced as early as the 30th minute as the replaced for Libbok, who struggled to take control of the game both in open play and in terms of tactically kicking.

And with Pollard ultimately slotting the matching winning from around around the half-way line and on an angle, the flyhalf debate immediately flared up again.

Many believe the early withdrawal of Libbok will do his confidence no good, while others have argued that he should retain his place in the starting lineup against the All Blacks in final next week.

ALSO READ: Ratings – Destructive Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche guides Springboks to final

MANIE LIBBOK AND HANDRE POLLARD HAVE ROLES TO PLAY

But coach Jacques Nienaber has quickly moved to squash any talks of discord among the players over the battle for the No 10 shirt, saying every player has bought into the Springboks’ team first, individual second stance.

“The beauty of this group is we are open and honest, and because we have the right players, the players accept it,” the Springboks boss said. “Sometimes things aren’t going your way. 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.”

“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.”

“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.”