Boks still undecided about No 10 … and could we see 4-4 bench split?

The tough decision of whether to back Handre Pollard or Manie Libbok as the Springboks’ flyhalf for their massive Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France in Saint-Denis on Sunday is still firmly on the minds of the coaching staff.

Whoever is picked, the other is likely to miss out on the match as the Boks are expected to go with a six-two or seven-one bench split for the game, which would leave very few backline options for the match.

Though SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus on Thursday hinted the Boks may even go with a new 4-4 bench split of forwards to backs.

ALSO READ: Manie Libbok brushes off kicking criticism – ‘I’m trying to get it right’

Bok assistant coach Felix Jones admitted that both Libbok and Pollard bring various strengths to the game and that there are a number of considerations that have to be made before choosing who to back.

“It is very tight in a number of positions and flyhalf is very tight. Handre has been there and done it before for us in that starting role, but Manie is also playing some really great rugby for us,” explained Jones.

“Penalties do come into our consideration. There could be 10 penalties in a game, but there are 100 rucks, seven or eight scrums. There could be 20 lineouts so it is just one of our considerations.”

Hit ground running

A number of the Bok players will also have to hit the ground running in the match as they would not have played for almost three weeks having last played in the pool stage against Ireland, but Jones claims they aren’t worried about that.

“It’s probably an individual thing. Some players like to be battle-hardened and play week in, week out. Some guys feel they need a break after a very tough Test match like that (Ireland). You can’t give it a blanket statement whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing,” said Jones.

The Boks will also be wary of the probable return of France captain Antoine Dupont for the match, although they have to wait to see if he will start the game or play off the bench.

“The presence (of Dupont) is something that you can see. He has a big impact on the players around him and (their) belief. Everyone knows the quality of the player. We can’t control the presence he brings, we can only control trying to stop the many talents and abilities that he has,” said Jones.

“If it’s (Maxime) Lucu (back-up scrumhalf), there are some really effective pieces of play he can put together. We can’t control the presence but we can try and stop what’s happening.”