Englands Rugby Team Rely on Libbok to Lead Backline against Opponent's Challenge
Ready, Set, Springbok Avalanche! 🇿🇦🏉
Manie Libbok steers the engine for a thoroughly revamped Springbok backline taking on England at Twickenham this weekend. Thumb your nose at the lineup that locked horns with Scotland, as Rassie Erasmus orchestrates an impressive 12 changes!
The unyielding spirit of unity permeates in midfield, as Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel rejoice in a second chance to dance together. Meanwhile, Grant Williams' dynamic traits have him lining up beside the fearless spearhead Libbok at halfback. Fancy will be the starting trio of Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Aphelele Fassi in the back trois.
Girding their loins up front, Wilco Louw storms back into the Test arena, joining the feisty RG Snyman in the second row. Captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese form the formidable back row.
After flaunting a 7-1 split last week, Erasmus has indulged in a classic 5-3 split for this grueling encounter. The forward replacements Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Elrigh Louw, and Kwagga Smith (an accomplished 50-cap warrior) stray bravely into the danger zone to provide cover. The seasoned trio of Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, and Lukhanyo Am are ready to spring into action, offering expedient backline cover.
The rejuvenated squad continues the seasonal proclivity of Erasmus, averaging 8.5 personnel shuffles per Test in his 11 selections since the inaugural match against Wales in June.
In the last six clashes, the Boks and England have squared off, with the Boks scraping out a nail-biting 16-15 victory in the most recent encounter. In this titanic showdown, fifteen warriors who tussled in the 2021 Rugby World Cup semifinal in France will cross swords yet again.
Rugby Fan Trivia:- As the Springboks strut onto the pitch this Saturday, they will be treading the ground for their 100th match on British and Irish soil since the first tour in 1906. Of the 99 games played, 65 have been won, three have been draws, and 31 have resulted in losses. The team has recorded the most victories against Wales (20), while having suffered the most defeats at the hands of England (11).
- Eben Etzebeth will trek across the scrum with a remarkable 130 caps under his belt, breaking the record as the most-capped player for the Springboks.
- Manie Libbok needs a mere six points to become one of only 30 players to ever crack the 100-point milestone for the Springboks.
- If the Springboks score 12 points or more against England, they will surpass 1000 points against the English in Tests.
- The total Test caps for the Springbok starting lineup stand at a whopping 767. The backline boasts 265 caps, while the forwards accumulate 502 caps, with an additional 359 caps available on the bench.
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Quintin Van Jaarsveld, a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a formidable three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year, brings his prodigious journalistic prowess to the table. As the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award recipient at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com, and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years in the industry and continues to thrive as a freelance sports writer.
- Manie Libbok, with 100 points to his name, is just six points away from joining a prestigious group of 30 players who have scored 100 points for the Springboks.
- The Springbok squad, on its way to play England this weekend, will be breaking records as Eben Etzebeth will become the most-capped player for the Springboks with 130 caps.
- The Springbok backline, led by Manie Libbok, is preparing to surpass 1000 points against England if they score 12 points or more in the upcoming match.
- The combined Test caps for the Springbok starting lineup and the bench amount to a staggering 1526 caps, with the backline boasting 265 caps and the forwards accumulating 502 caps.
- Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, and Aphelele Fassi form the starting trio in the back trois, aiming to deliver an outstanding performance as the rugby season progresses and the predictions for Springbok victories continue to escalate.
