VIDEO: The real reason why Libbok is starting against England

SPOTLIGHT – LONDON: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said Saturday’s clash against England at Twickenham Stadium will provide Manie Libbok with an opportunity to right the wrongs of last year’s World Cup semifinal.

Libbok is one of 12 changes to South Africa’s starting XV for Saturday’s clash. He will replace Handre Pollard in the No.10 jersey.

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Things didn’t go well for the Springboks in large periods of that World Cup semifinal in Paris and Libbok was eventually replaced by Handre Pollard in the 31st minute.

Pollard went on to kick eight points to help the Boks to a 16-15 victory.

Earlier this season, Libbok faced a barrage of criticism and abuse from fans on social media for his performance in South Africa’s 28-29 defeat to Argentina in Santiago del Estero in Round Five of the Rugby Championship.

The 27-year-old could not find the direction with his last-minute penalty attempt in that match and was singled out as the scapegoat.

However, a week later he was given a second chance at Mbombela Stadium against the same opponents and produced an impressive attacking performance in a 48-7 win.

Erasmus will be hoping for a similar redemption story in London on Saturday.

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“We always like to give players another chance like we did in Mbombela,” Erasmus told reporters at the team hotel in Teddington in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

“We know it wasn’t Manie losing a Test match in Santiago and we know as a team we lost that Test match.

“I’ve’ said it many times – a normal pass with three on two is much easier than a kick in front of the poles.”

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Erasmus added: “It was also against England when we had to make the substitution [in the World Cup] and we like to give a guy a second chance.

“Again, if he doesn’t make it, he knows we are not going to be upset with him.

“We know what his skill set is. If he gets through this like he did in the Argentina Test match, he will be a better player on the other side.

“If he doesn’t, we’ve got security on the bench with Handre and then we will still work on him.

“Then there is Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] knocking really hard, Damian [Willemse] and there is even Siya Masuku doing well at the Sharks.

“We’ve got Jordan [Hendrikse] in camp with us, and we would love to give him an opportunity on tour.”

@rugby365com