Libbok or Pollard? ‘Bok game-plan will determine who wears No 10 jersey’

Former Springbok assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher says the Boks’ choice of flyhalf, between Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok, for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against France in Paris on Sunday, will be determined by the tactics the team want to use.

The Boks’ director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, and coach Jacques Nienaber have this time deviated from their standard procedure of naming the squad that will play on the weekend early in the week, and will instead only name their match-23 on Friday.

The delay in naming the team is due to various reasons, with the flyhalf pick apparently causing a dilemma, according to Erasmus. Pollard and Libbok are different No 10s with different qualities and attributes.

‘Different styles’

Whoever gets the nod to start will set the tone for how the team plays, according to Loubscher.

“I see it as positive (to have Pollard and Libbok in the mix) … the Boks can then play different styles,” Loubscher said when speaking to The Citizen.

“If you look at Handre, his game management is the best, and if you need to score tries, Manie is the guy you can go to … he can create opportunities.

“The Boks are fortunate to have two flyhalves that can play different styles. I think it will depend on what is needed on the day; do the Boks put France under pressure with their kicking game and defence or do they try to use their attack and score some tries?” asked Loubscher.

Goal-kicking a massive factor’

Kicking is expected to feature prominently on Sunday evening at the Stade de France. Both teams are known for using their kicking games for exits and territorial gain, while the goal-kicking will also be another aspect that will be crucial in what is expected to be a close game.

Loubscher, who is currently the Lions’ backline coach, believes that the team that aces their kicking will have a good chance of winning the match and progressing to the last four.

“It will be a massive factor, it will be a point of difference, it’s all about who can outkick who,” said the former Bok fullback.

“On the day it will be two teams going for territory. France like to play the long kicking game off No 9, 10, and even 15 … and the Boks are very much the same.

“It will come down to who can win the territory battle, and then we know it will also be a set-piece game; France have a big pack and the Boks have a big pack. Good defence on both sides.

“If you look at goal-kicking, France have good goal-kickers and there have been some questions about the Boks’ ability to nail those kicks. At the end of the day, it will come down to taking your chances,” said Loubscher.