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.”
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As I said that's my opinion, & now I see yours. Obviously you don't know much of his OVERALL history reffing the AB's?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If that happened, it’s not outside the rules. Boks are adept at following the letter of the law.
coldturkey
Roar Rookie
If South African arrogance hadn't left 6 points on the table at the start of the game when they were kicking for the corner instead of kickinhg for goal, then it wouldn't have been so tight at the end. They took a long time to adapt to knock out rugby.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
If it is now 23 man game why not increase it to 45 minute halves. Great physical game , the Bok reserves were fantastic especially Polard and the front row.
Andrew Nichols
Roar Rookie
They still had to execute....which they did. The England replacement props( Sinkler in particular) were powder puffs and cost them the game.
Andrew Nichols
Roar Rookie
The time wasting needs the courage of Reynal to sort it out. Nigel Owens also had it right with just 2 words when confronted by the plethora of ball boys and medics...."Play on" If someone needs attention and they are not incapacitated, they should be treated on the sideline with the option of temporary blood bin replacement who stays on if the "injury" lasts more than a max 2 min.
Andrew Nichols
Roar Rookie
This AB fan says so what? Barnes is an excellent ref now. It was Paddy OBrien ex NZ test ref as boss of RWC refs that put him in that game when he didn't have enough experience.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Chill out Dave. :laughing:
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Actually, too few Aussies get it. But I know they like nothing better than a good penalty attempt from halfway for a minor offence in Britain. Ample time to make a cup of tea or raid the fridge.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
That’s because he actually is.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Spoken like a true Aussie. :silly:
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
It was indeed a spectacle. An appalling one. And a ridiculous example of how penalty goals (to both sides) for minor, debatable and even perplexing offences take on excessive importance.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
From the sublime semifinals to a ridiculous semi. Great to see England go out (sorry, that’s just Australian DNA) but what an appalling game and what an undeserved result. Everyone was trying to rationalise it at the end but it was simply a result of the mindless rule that you can get 3 points from half way for a scrum going sideways. You don’t get 3 points for a lineout going haywire or the ball not going in straight. Mind you, does anyone know what the first penalty of the game was for, against du Toit, another cheap 3 points outside the 22 that had everyone perplexed? Or the second one, which the commentators said had not been adjudicated that way for the entire tournament? And did du Toit’s supposed blocking of someone really deserve 3 points from 35 metres out? England were far superior in a game that relied on kicking and aerial skills. Although the refs missed England being ahead of the kicker at almost every kickoff and several garryowens. When the rain makes moving the ball so difficult, surely it would be important to keep people onside. But no, it’s apparently a far bigger priority to find technical reasons to give breakdown or scrum penalties. O’Keeffe must have spent a good 15 minutes setting scrums and giving tutorials to the pack. I timed the last one that resulted in the SA penalty- 2.07 off the clock and 2.43 in actual time, from whistle blown to ball being fed. Then 1.30 for the penalty kick to add cream on top.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
Wet weather and great execution of a pure pressure game plan by England. Pollard touch kick gave them the try setup and SA pack delivered winning point. NZ game will be different in many ways but scrums will be huge
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Which would favour the Boks one would imagine.
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
Forecast looks grim.
General
Roar Rookie
This game is another example that you don't always need a try fest for the match to be a specticle. For the Springboks, I sometimes speculate on whether their selection policy hampers their ability to get the best players on the paddock.
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
Shades of their unconvincing performance against Wales in the semis in 2019 before they took it up ten gears for the final.
Northandsouth
Roar Rookie
I find it kinda surreal how many people just don’t believe Rassie isn’t the sole decision maker. So many “Rassie pulled Manie” comments on socials and in articles.
tamaolevaoo
Roar Rookie
When the decisive scrum was being packed and reset did anyone else see the winger on the far side of the field run in and tell the lads something the locks definitely nodded their heads as to agree to the rev up or instruction? moments later they win a scrum penalty and kick to the lead ……..hmmmmmm Was there some technological help being provided and fed to the boys via a sideline chat then to the guys in the scrum pinpointing where to focus their might on??? Could be nothing but coincidence tell me what that was if im mistaken