Here we go again.
Because the South Africa second string failed to wrap up the Rugby Championship title last weekend in Argentina, the first string has been summoned to finish the job on Saturday in Mbombela.
Despite losing 29-28 in Santiago del Estero, the Springboks remain formidable favorites to take their first title since 2019. What the Pumas need to do to win their first ever title is staggering: Win in South Africa for only the second time, score three tries more than the Boks, and deny the Boks a competition point.
Back in harness for the Springboks are the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, captain Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende, all of whom are two-time world champions … and Manie Libbok.
Libbok, the mercurial flyhalf, could have won everything for the Springboks last Saturday. The replacement missed a relatively easy 79th-minute penalty kick. The Pumas’ first win over the Springboks in six years set the stage for this final-round title decider in cosy Mbombela Stadium.
Of course, Libbok was publicly criticized, but not by the Springboks. Coach Rassie Erasmus reacted with 10 changes as expected, restocking the lineup with World Cup winners he rested while surprisingly choosing to start Libbok in a first-time halves pairing with Jaden Hendrikse.
Handre Pollard, the Springboks’ second-highest point-scorer, was available to come off the bench to make any late goalkicks.
But the Springboks don’t want to rely on another late goalkick, but pursue a dominant win to cap a championship they have led since day one, Aug. 10.
Erasmus believed Libbok’s ability to kick off both feet, counterpunch and snipe made him the perfect playmaker for the game they want to play against the Pumas. For Libbok’s sake, the coach said, the flyhalf needed to get back on the horse. It’ll be a test of Libbok’s fortitude. This isn’t France, where he was somewhat cocooned from criticism during the Rugby World Cup. But he’ll have the weight of a 43,000-strong home crowd on him.
“Manie has never lost a cup for us,” Erasmus said.
As for goalkicking, the Boks appear to have made options of Kolbe and Hendrikse, who briefly kicked for them in 2022 when Damian Willemse was the flyhalf.
The Springboks also want to honor Etzebeth, whose 128th test will eclipse Victor Matfield for their all-time caps record.
Etzebeth debuted in mid-2012 against England at age 20. Former Boks coach Nick Mallett praised Etzebeth for combining the qualities of Matfield and another great lock, Bakkies Botha.
“He has the physicality of a Bakkies Botha and the athleticism of a Victor Matfield,” Mallett told the Keo & Zels podcast. “His ability to get around the field, he’s as fast as any loose forward, if not a back. His ability in the lineouts to put pressure on the opposition throws. His physicality at the breakdown. His ball carries. His longevity. He’s done an absolutely immense job for South Africa.”
Argentina has also freshened its lineup with seven changes after the wear and tear of a priceless victory in Santiago del Estero.
Santiago Grondona and Juan Martin Gonzalez are the flankers — Pablo Matera is on the bench — Santiago Carreras starts at fullback for the first time, and sevens star Rodrigo Isgro is on the wing for his first test of the year.
The Pumas have proven they are mentally strong, and have the wherewithal to mess up reputations. They have beaten the Springboks, All Blacks and Wallabies for the first time in a single year. In 12 years they have never been this close to the title. Can they switch on mentally and physically again?
“We have to convince ourselves we can do it,” center Santiago Chocobares told ESPN. “Each player is convinced that they will be champions. We have a real chance to be champions of the Rugby Championship.”
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
