Libbok surprise flyhalf pick in strong Springbok squad to face Wallabies in Rugby Championship
Manie Libbok is a surprise starter at fly-half in the strong Springbok squad named by coach Rassie Erasmus for the side's opening Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday, which also sees a positional switch to No 8 for skipper Siya Kolisi.
What a way to start the week! Check out the #Springboks team to face Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday 🔥 #ForeverGreenForeverGold
Kolisi will wear the No 8 jersey for the first time in a Test match, while Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager form the second-row pairing behind a front row of props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw, and hooker Malcolm Marx. Etzebeth will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok to 134 Test appearances.
'We've been experimenting with player combinations during the Castle Lager Incoming Series and at our conditioning camp in the last two weeks, and we believe this team will allow us to play the type of rugby we want to play against Australia,' said Erasmus.
'The Wallabies will be determined to change their win record against us in the last three seasons, so they'll come out guns blazing, and we are confident that the players we selected will be up for the challenge. All of the starters except for Edwill have faced them before, and we are confident that he is ready for this challenge.'
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