Rassie on why Manie gets 'second chance'

11/14/2024 11:07 AM

Rassie Erasmus has backed Manie Libbok to rise to the challenge against England on Saturday, but if not, the Springboks have "security" on the bench in Handre Pollard.

Libbok has replaced two-time World Cup winner Pollard in the No 10 jersey for the Twickenham clash, giving the mercurial flyhalf a chance to redeem himself after last year's World Cup semi-final substitution.

Erasmus replaced Libbok with Pollard in the 31st minute of the Paris playoff that helped secure a one-point win for the eventual tournament winners.

MORE: Boks to run England ragged?

Libbok, who faced criticism after missing a last-minute penalty in Argentina during the 2024 Rugby Championship, came back strongly a week later with a stellar performance in South Africa's win at Mbombela Stadium.

Addressing Libbok's selection for this week's Test in London, Erasmus was quoted in the media, "We always like to give players another chance like we did in Mbombela. We know it wasn't Manie losing a Test match in Santiago; as a team, we lost that Test match.

"It was also against England when we had to make the substitution, and we like to give a guy a second chance.

"If he [Libbok] gets through this, like he did in the Argentina Test match, he'll be a better player.

“If not, we've got security on the bench with Handre."

Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

The post Rassie on why Manie gets 'second chance' appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.