- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
PARIS – Springboks flyhalf Manie Libbok was dragged after 31 minutes as South Africa’s coaches Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus made a huge call in a bid to shift momentum in their World Cup semifinal against England.
Handre Pollard – a late inclusion in the squad having missed out initially due to injury – was sent on to steady a shaky Springbok ship and ended up kicking the winning penalty less than four minutes from the end in a stunning 16-15 win.
Nienaber later confirmed it was a tactical move and Libbok was in contention to start the final on Saturday against the All Blacks.
“That’s the beauty of this team, we’re open and honest. Because we have the right players, the players accept it. Sometimes things aren’t going your way.
“We took him early because things didn’t go his way and the main thing is everything is for the team and they understand that.
“Players take it on the chin. It doesn’t mean he won’t start next week. It’s just unfortunately sometimes it’s like that.
“That’s how it is. It’s for South Africa. It’s not for the individual, it’s not for the ego, it’s for South Africa.
“We get messages, from school kids and we see every single message they send to us. So, it’s for them. We can’t put our egos in front of that, South Africa is more important, the Springboks are more important than anything else.”
Libbok backed his coach’s assessment.
“It is always a team effort. I am just stoked for what the guys did tonight,” he said. “It was something special. I am just proud of the guys for sticking in there. I am stoked for the guys coming off the bench and lifting the tempo of the game.”
Libbok landed a long-range penalty to get the Springboks on the board at 6-3. That came after England star Owen Farrell held onto the ball at a penalty and was marched a further 10m putting it in Libbok’s range.
“We didn’t miss a kick at goal tonight. Every single opportunity we got we utilised, both him and Handre,” Nienaber said.
“The kick that he kicked in the beginning was a tough one.”
Pollard’s kicking was superior from general play and the 48-metre penalty he landed near the end was the first time the Boks had led all game against a shattered England.
He entered the game with England leading 9-3 and England fired-up and playing aggressively. The Boks’ coaches – praised for their innovation in this tournament – pulled a move straight from the Eddie Jones playbook.
Jones made early changes several times during his seven years with England. In 2016 in Australia he brought off Luther Burrell, who later said he was never the same player again, after 28 minutes, and replaced him with George Ford. Last year he dragged England scrumhalf Danny Care after 36 minutes in Sydney.
“Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Eramus, who you’d assume was part of that decision, with an early change, a brave change, but an understandable one,” said Morgan Turinui on Stan Sport.
“South Africa not dominating territory as they’d like, the kicking options haven’t been as accurate as demanded -the experience of Handre Pollard could be absolutely crucial but it is a brave change.”
Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles said the Boks had realised that it was a game that would suit Pollard. “They need to take penalty kicks, need to kick for territory,” he said.
Former England international Andy Goode agreed, although former Bok Bryan Habana didn’t.
“He’s not entirely responsible,” Habana said on ITV.
“His kicks have not gone to plan. You feel for a guy putting his body on the line.”
Former England number eight Lawrence Dallaglio added: “The coach has been ruthless because kicking is such a big part of this game.”
Former England flyhalf Paul Grayson told the BBC: “Manie Libbok looked miles off it. He normally kicks brilliantly with both feet.”
The Boks coaches continued with their early changes – emptying their bench with 25 minutes to go.
Pollard’s introduction was always going to happen and he was there to ice the match.
“It has absolutely poured all day and then it poured heavier throughout the game,” said Turinui.
“We’ve seen him have the range but the heavy ball, the heavy air, the pressure. He’s been injured. He was out of the squad, wasn’t fully fit.
Handre Pollard. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“To come in step up and make the choice to kick for goal – he never looked like missing when his team and his country, the world champions reign was on the line, Handre Pollard take a bow.”
Pollard was named man of the match.
“It’s unbelievable,”said Pollard. “A lot relief, It was frustrating we weren’t at our best. But geez the fight the boys showed, never giving up.
“It’s a big moment but that’s what you live for as a rugby player, to have moments like that on this stage.”