VIDEO: Erasmus' plan to counter Libbok's kicking woes
VIDEO: Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok will most likely not take any kicks at the poles against Argentina in Mbombela on Saturday if coach Rassie Erasmus’ comments are something to go by.
Erasmus was bombarded with questions during a media briefing in Mbombela on Tuesday after the team was announced to face the Los Pumas on Saturday and it became evident that Libbok would once again don the No. 10 jersey.
But the Springbok coach fronted all the questions calmly and patiently while explaining that plans have been made around the kicking.
That leaves one to speculate that Cheslin Kolbe and/or Jaden Hendrikse may be tasked with the goal-kicking responsibilities on Saturday.
Cheslin Kolbe, Jaden Hendrikse, and Manie Libbok were all spotted in training on Tuesday taking shots at goal.
Last year in July Kolbe resumed the kicking responsibilities for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Auckland after Damian Willemse was named at flyhalf.
Also, let’s not forget his epic 50m drop kick in the Top 14 final for Toulouse against La Rochelle back in 2021.
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Similarly, Hendrikse is a more than capable goal-kicker who played flyhalf at school and has taken on the responsibility for the Sharks in the past.
There is no denying that Libbok is a fine player and there is a lot to like. From his cutting passes, and inch-perfect kick-passes to his his running and sniping game.
Erasmus made it crystal clear that Libbok is not wearing the No. 10 jersey to kick at poles. Rather, they need his talent on the field.
“Manie is not only picked to kick to poles, and that is why we made plans around that which will hopefully work on Saturday.
“The way he plays is the way we think we should play against Argentina to match how they want to play.
“Manie has been through deep waters in his life. His reality is around us in this environment.
“We understand why the people feel the way they feel,” Erasmus told reporters straight forward.
“It is our job to fix it and we are busy doing that.
“Manie has never lost us a trophy. We didn’t lose the World Cup because of Manie, and the same with the Freedom Cup.
“We have always worked around it.
“What he brings in his natural game – look what he did against Scotland with that no-look kick into the hands of our wing,” Erasmus said, referring to the perfectly placed and audacious no-look kick in their opening World Cup Pool match against Scotland.
“We need his talent on the field on Saturday.”
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The coach once again reiterated that there were numerous try-scoring opportunities last weekend against Argentina that his team did not take, and that missing the kick was not their biggest mistake on the day.
“We totally understand that people will criticize him and he takes it on the chin – we as the management team and players – take it on the chin.
“When we win we smile, we take the credit and we are happy. The guys love the positivity and how people praise them.
“And when we are not playing well and not doing things as well, they have the right to criticize, especially if we did not put all the effort into a game.
“Which I don’t think was the case last week, I thought Argentina played well.
“When it comes to the individual game, Argentina missed three kicks at goal and we missed two.
“I think we missed four or five try opportunities which is much worse than missing a kick like that.
“Manie is professional and he is starting again this weekend,” Erasmus said firmly.
“The only way to get a guy like him through this is to get back onto the horse and ride it till it’s flat again.
“And we have made some plans. For the way we want to play, Manie is integral this weekend. And we have made some other plans with the goalkicking as well.
“He will get on the horse again.”
