Who Will Be the Springboks' New Flyhalf for the Rugby Championship?
Key Highlights :
With the news that Springbok flyhalf incumbent Handre Pollard will miss the upcoming Rugby Championship, the world champions need a new No 10 to start against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on 8 July. SA Rugby director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, on Tuesday revealed that Pollard will in all likelihood not feature in the upcoming southern hemisphere showpiece. This has opened the door for one of Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse and Elton Jantjies to start at pivot against the Wallabies.
Jantjies was recently added to the Bok squad as flyhalf back-up. This was done because, apart from Pollard's calf injury, Willemse was struggling with a knee injury. Erasmus, however, confirmed on Tuesday that Willemse was raring to go, leaving Bok coach Jacques Nienaber with three flyhalf options. Libbok, who played three Tests for the Boks in 2022, was outstanding for the Stormers in this season's URC and many pundits have called for his inclusion as starting flyhalf. Willemse featured more at fullback for the Stormers, but the Bok brains trust is adamant to pick him at flyhalf for the national team.
As things currently stand, Libbok may have the inside lane to start at flyhalf against the Wallabies next weekend. He could have the experienced Jantjies as his back-up, with Willemse possibly part of a contingent of Boks travelling earlier to New Zealand. The Boks hinted that they may utilise two squads in the 2023 Rugby Championship. They employed a similar split-squad tactic when they last won the Rugby Championship in 2019, also a World Cup year. The All Blacks Test in Auckland is a week later (15 July) and that may be the game where Willemse takes possession of the No 10 jumper.
Libbok has been in great form for the Stormers and is seen as a potential long-term solution for the Springboks at flyhalf. He is a good decision maker and his kicking game has been a highlight in the URC. Willemse is also a good kicker and decision maker, but he has been struggling to make the transition from fullback to flyhalf. He is a good runner with ball in hand, but his passing and kicking accuracy has been questioned. Jantjies is the most experienced of the three and is seen as a steadying influence in the backline. He has been a consistent performer for the Lions and is seen as a reliable option at flyhalf.
The Springboks will have to make a decision on who to start at flyhalf for the upcoming Rugby Championship. Libbok is the most likely candidate, but Willemse and Jantjies are also in contention. Whoever gets the nod will have big shoes to fill as Pollard has been the go-to man for the Boks since 2019. The upcoming Rugby Championship will be a great opportunity for the new flyhalf to make his mark and prove his worth.
