VIDEO: 'He did brilliant things and he did bad things'

SPOTLIGHT – LONDON: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to replace Manie Libbok early in the second half  against England at Twickenham Stadium

The flyhalf was instrumental in setting up Cheslin Kolbe’s first try with a pinpoint cross-kick, but his overall performance in the 29-20 win was a hit-and-miss.

He also missed a couple of goal-kicks, which would have given his side some more breathing space at half-time.

Libbok returned to the field for the second half, but he lasted just a few minutes before the Springboks unleashed veteran flyhalf Handre Pollard off the bench.

The story continues below…

“He [Libbok] played around 50 minutes and we won the match,” ‘said Erasmus.

“Manie has played for us in a World Cup semifinal. In his last game against Argentina, he was probably man of the match and we scored so many tries and we won the Rugby Championship.

“I think we as a team know exactly where we are. We know guys are coming back from injury and that’s why we are not afraid of rotating.

“Manie did some brilliant things and he did some bad things, but we felt Handre’s cool head was needed to get us back onto the front foot.”

“Sometimes it is going to be the other way around, so next weekend we will see.

Erasmus added: “It definitely wasn’t Manie’s greatest performance, but it also wasn’t his worst.”

The Springboks will end their November campaign with a match against Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium next weekend.

🪄 Kolbe magic once again!

🤩 The @springboks are making difficult things look easy! A classy cross-kick score to extend their lead!#AutumnNationsSeries | #ENGvRSA pic.twitter.com/nFHzYO3rio

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 16, 2024