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England Prepares Bok Backline with Libbok Leading the Charge

Revised Springbok lineup led by Manie Libbok, differing significantly from the one deployed against Scotland, to take the field on Saturday.

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Redirected Springbok backline, led by Manie Libbok, replaces the initial lineup that faced...
Redirected Springbok backline, led by Manie Libbok, replaces the initial lineup that faced Scotland, ready for action on Saturday.

England Prepares Bok Backline with Libbok Leading the Charge

Busting the Springboks' Lineup 🇿🇦

Manie Libbok, the fearless leader, guides a m Oracle-transformed Springbok backline in the epic face-off against England at Twickenham this weekend—a stark contrast compared to the team that shone against Scotland.

Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind, has shaken things up with an astounding 12 changes to the victorious squad. Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, and Eben Etzebeth cling onto their starting positions, but everyone else is fresh meat. Grant Williams partners with Libbok in the halfback duo, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel reunite in midfield. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Aphelele Fassi form the electrifying back three.

Boom, it's showtime! Up front, Wilco Louw steps onto the stage for his first Test match since 2021, RG Snyman secures a spot in the second row, and Captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese lock down the back row.

A traditional 5-3 split bench from Erasmus this time. Bench warriors Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, and Kwagga Smith (hitting his 50th Test cap last week) buckle up for action, offering formidable support. The experienced trio of Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, and Lukhanyo Am step up to sprinkle their magic over the backline.

This revamped side is a testament to Erasmus' persistent shuffling—he's averaging a shocking 8.5 personnel changes per Test in the 11 selections since the Wales match in June. The Fall of the House of York, a 3-3 record in their last six slashes, might get a bit shakier as 15 players who fought it out in that Rugby World Cup semi-final in France last year are ready for another duel.

Fast Facts:

  • England will host the Springboks in their Century Game on British soil—100th match since the 1906 tour. South Africa has won 65 matches, drawn 3 (all in the 2015 World Cup), and lost 31 (mostly to England).
  • Eben Etzebeth extends his King of Caps record to a whopping 130 caps.
  • Manie Libbok needs a mere six points to join the exclusive 30-point club among 944 Springboks.
  • If the Springboks score 12 or more points against England, they'll reach the 1000-point milestone.
  • The cumulative Test caps for the starting line-up totals a monstrous 767, with 265 caps in the backline, 502 forwards, and a further 359 caps on the bench. The average caps per player in the backline is 37, the forwards 62, while the players on the bench average 44.

Lineup:15. Aphelele Fassi14. Cheslin Kolbe13. Jesse Kriel12. Damian de Allende11. Kurt-Lee Arendse10. Manie Libbok9. Grant Williams8. Jasper Wiese7. Pieter-Steph du Toit6. Siya Kolisi (captain)5. RG Snyman4. Eben Etzebeth3. Wilco Louw2. Bongi Mbonambi1. Ox Nche

Reserves:16. Malcolm Marx17. Gerhard Steenekamp18. Vincent Koch19. Elrigh Louw20. Kwagga Smith21. Cobus Reinach22. Handre Pollard23. Lukhanyo Am

source: Quintin Van JaarsveldThis content does not necessarily represent the opinions of Rugby365 or its owners. The author is Quintin Van Jaarsveld, a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. You can find his portfolio here and follow him on Twitter at @QuintinVJaa.

  1. With Manie Libbok leading the revamped Springbok backline, the sports community is making numerous predictions about the outcome of the rugby match between South Africa and England.
  2. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Aphelele Fassi are expected to bring an electrifying performance to the back three in the upcoming rugby encounter, with many people influenced to place bets on the sports event.
  3. Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind theSpringboks' lineup, has made a 5-3 split in the bench, with Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, and Kwagga Smith preparing to offer formidable support from the sidelines.
  4. Fans and analysts alike are anticipating a potential split in the results between England and South Africa, given that 15 players who fought it out in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in France last year are once again ready for battle.
  5. The starting line-up for the upcoming rugby match between England and the Springboks boasts an impressive total of 767 Test caps, with an average of 37 caps per player in the backline, 62 forwards, and 44 caps for the players on the bench.

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