The Springboks have opted for Cobus Reinach at scrum-half and Manie Libbok at fly-half, relegating their 2019 World Cup-winning duo.
Manie Libbok kicking. The controversial hyper-jade kit will not be worn against Ireland. Image: @Springboks/twitter
South Africa sprang a major surprise on Friday selecting Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok at scrum-half and fly-half respectively with their 2019winning duo Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard on the bench for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final with hosts France this weekend. Pollard had been brought into the squad, after hooker Malcom Marx suffered a tournament-ending injury, due to his kicking at goal being far superior to Libbok.Pollard, who scored 22 points in the 32-12 win over England in the 2019 final, was recovering from injury when the squad was initially picked but produced an assured performance on his return to the team in the 49-18 victory over Tonga a fortnight ago.
“Twenty of these players were also in the matchday squad that played France in Marseille last season, which was a good dress rehearsal for what we can expect from France and their supporters,” he added. There are 11 changes from the win over Tonga but just two from the Boks’ defeat to world number one side Ireland last month.The 2019 World Cup final man of the match Duane Vermeulen starts at No. 8 in preference to Jasper Wiese.
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