Latest news with #Libbok
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
French feast on the menu for Wallabies
It will be confirmed on Monday that Super Round will return during the Anzac weekend next year, hosted at the impressive new stadium in Christchurch. For those thinking of making the trip, here's the tip: that stadium is smack-bang in the middle of the city – easily within walking distance of central bars. However, there is one question to be answered on Monday – does anyone miss out over Super Rugby due to the 11-team competition format? And if so, who is the unlucky loser? As for the Super Round format itself, the jury is still out on whether it has legs. The novelty factor will give it liftoff in Christchurch next year, but it's still a bit of a hard sell with the Super Rugby Pacific teams so geographically dispersed. The big clue in the Springboks selections The Wallabies won't have to wait long until they find out who Rassie Erasmus has picked for the Rugby Championship opener in Johannesburg next weekend – the Springboks are usually unveiled on Tuesday. He has built up so much depth that it's a fool's game trying to second guess which way the Springboks will go across many positions, but the Wallabies will definitely be keeping an eye on the No.10. The Springboks have three options – Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok – and they all bring something different. They go to Pollard if they think it'll be tight with goalkicking is important, and Libbok if the plan is all-out attack. Feinberg-Mngomezulu started both Tests in Australia last year and is something of a freak, but earlier this year Springboks attack coach Tony Brown told this masthead that Libbok reminded him of Carlos Spencer. Libbok's speed would be a major threat. JOC against the Boks James O'Connor's Wallabies return is surely closing in. He hasn't played a Test since 2022 – a 48-17 drubbing in Argentina – but Joe Schmidt showed how he highly he values experience by picking Nic White in the third Test against the Lions. O'Connor has now had a bit of time inside the Wallabies camp to get used to the game plan, and it would be a surprise not to see him feature against South Africa. Loading He perfected the 'closer' role at the Crusaders this season, winning the big game against the Blues in round 10 courtesy of two late penalties, and his presence on the bench would give the Wallabies plenty of confidence if they are in touch with the world champions heading into the last quarter. O'Connor has seen it all. Even the daunting Ellis Park arena wouldn't faze him at this point of his career.
The Age
a day ago
- Sport
- The Age
French feast on the menu for Wallabies
It will be confirmed on Monday that Super Round will return during the Anzac weekend next year, hosted at the impressive new stadium in Christchurch. For those thinking of making the trip, here's the tip: that stadium is smack-bang in the middle of the city – easily within walking distance of central bars. However, there is one question to be answered on Monday – does anyone miss out over Super Rugby due to the 11-team competition format? And if so, who is the unlucky loser? As for the Super Round format itself, the jury is still out on whether it has legs. The novelty factor will give it liftoff in Christchurch next year, but it's still a bit of a hard sell with the Super Rugby Pacific teams so geographically dispersed. The big clue in the Springboks selections The Wallabies won't have to wait long until they find out who Rassie Erasmus has picked for the Rugby Championship opener in Johannesburg next weekend – the Springboks are usually unveiled on Tuesday. He has built up so much depth that it's a fool's game trying to second guess which way the Springboks will go across many positions, but the Wallabies will definitely be keeping an eye on the No.10. The Springboks have three options – Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok – and they all bring something different. They go to Pollard if they think it'll be tight with goalkicking is important, and Libbok if the plan is all-out attack. Feinberg-Mngomezulu started both Tests in Australia last year and is something of a freak, but earlier this year Springboks attack coach Tony Brown told this masthead that Libbok reminded him of Carlos Spencer. Libbok's speed would be a major threat. JOC against the Boks James O'Connor's Wallabies return is surely closing in. He hasn't played a Test since 2022 – a 48-17 drubbing in Argentina – but Joe Schmidt showed how he highly he values experience by picking Nic White in the third Test against the Lions. O'Connor has now had a bit of time inside the Wallabies camp to get used to the game plan, and it would be a surprise not to see him feature against South Africa. Loading He perfected the 'closer' role at the Crusaders this season, winning the big game against the Blues in round 10 courtesy of two late penalties, and his presence on the bench would give the Wallabies plenty of confidence if they are in touch with the world champions heading into the last quarter. O'Connor has seen it all. Even the daunting Ellis Park arena wouldn't faze him at this point of his career.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Sacha needs to repeat brilliance from last Rugby Championship
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu needs to follow up on his excellent Rugby Championship performance from last year. Now is the time for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's star to truly rise. The 23-year-old utility back had some excellent games for the Springboks last season but is still relatively wet behind the ears when compared with Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus recently said he did not have a first-choice flyhalf and would use all three depending on the opposition and situation this season. Still, any fan can see that when in form, Feinberg-Mngomezulu encompasses the best of both his seniors. With playmaking and goal-kicking ability to rival Libbok and Pollard – and being five years younger than Libbok and eight years younger than Pollard – 'Sacha FM' could lead the Springboks through the 2027 Rugby World Cup and into the future. Sacha's rising star He may have only 10 Test caps at the moment, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been impressive on the international stage. In his Test debut against Wales a little over a year ago, he came off the bench and nailed a 52m penalty, plus two conversions. In his first Test start – a Rugby Championship game against Australia in August – he slotted four out of five conversions. He also assisted a try, gained nearly 5m per carry on average, and achieved a 75% tackle success rate. Against New Zealand that same month, he slotted two conversions and four penalties (including a 61m monster kick). He achieved a 100% tackle success rate, beat four defenders and made 15 tactical kicks. Feinberg-Mngomezulu in great form Feinberg-Mngomezulu is no stranger to the Rugby Championship. He may have had an iffy start to the international season, slotting one out of five kicks at posts against Georgia and failing to create many opportunities. But he will be keen to continue his form from the domestic season. Despite a long injury layoff, the flyhalf lit up the United Rugby Championship and was named SA's URC player of the season. His return almost single-handedly drove the Stormers' surge from 12th to fifth on the log, where the team finished. He lit up the tournament with his unparalleled playmaking, even scoring 50 individual points over two matches. The flyhalf ended the tournament with an 85.7% kicking success rate compared to Libbok's 72.6%. He had a poor game in his team's quarter-final defeat, however. With the mercurial Libbok in and out of form, and Pollard the ever-dependable goal-kicker but less strong in playmaking, this could be Feinberg-Mngomezulu's season.
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie Erasmus doesn't have a first-choice flyhalf: ‘Each one has his strengths'
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he does not have a first-choice flyhalf and will use all three players in his squad in different situations in this year's Rugby Championship. He said the opposition, game plan for the week and how his bench was split will all determine which No 10 he plays. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Springboks generally kicked for touch when they won a penalty in their early-season games against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia. But a traditional approach may be required against tougher opposition in the Rugby Championship, especially when games are tight. The Springbok flyhalf conundrum The Springboks won their last match 55–10, against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium, despite starting flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missing four of his five kicks. He was replaced in the second half by Handré Pollard, who was excellent in front of the posts, as always. He nailed all four of his conversions and scored a try. But Erasmus has opted to start with Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Manie Libbok in most matches lately, using the other player or Pollard from the bench. Pollard only started one of the four games so far, though he played the full 80 minutes against Italy at Loftus. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Libbok have been stronger in open play than Pollard, though less dependable in front of posts. The former achieved an 85.7% kicking success rate in the last United Rugby Championship, while his Stormers teammate Libbok recorded 72.6%. Yet it was Libbok who shone in front of posts in the second Italy Test, coming back from two misses to slotting his next five. It is somewhat of a conundrum for Erasmus, who was evidently backing Libbok and Feinberg-Mngomezulu's open play, after they shone in the United Rugby Championship. But it is hard to judge the number of potential points they created versus those they lost in front of posts. Rassie: Using all three makes the team less predictable 'I actually think all three of them are above average in every single department,' Erasmus said. 'Each one has his different strengths. I think it will depend on the opposition.' He said it would also depend on his forward-back bench split, and he may even employ utility back Damian Willemse. 'It will depend on whether we go a 6–2 split or 7–1 or 5–3. Probably if you go 6–2, someone like Sacha will work lekker, or Damian Willemse. It will depend on what the plan is on the day. 'We don't have a first choice currently. If it was now a semi-final or final, it will be this flyhalf. If it is a running open game and we have a 7–1 split, it will be this guy. Then, if we really want to grind it out, it will be that guy. 'We like to think that doesn't just keep our options open, but it's harder to analyse. Less predictable.' This article first appeared in The Citizen. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie says he doesn't have a first-choice flyhalf: ‘Each one has his strengths'
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said using Handré Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok as the situation called also made the team harder to analyse. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he does not have a first-choice flyhalf and will use all three players in his squad in different situations this year's Rugby Championship. He said the opposition, game plan for the week, and how his bench was split would all determine which No 10 he plays. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Springboks generally kicked for touch when they won a penalty in their early-season games against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia. But a traditional approach may be required against tougher opposition in the Rugby Championship, especially when games are tight. The Springbok flyhalf conundrum The Springboks won their last match 55–10, against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium, despite starting flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missing four of his five kicks. He was replaced in the second half by Handré Pollard, who was excellent in front of the posts, as always. He nailed all four of his conversions and scored a try. But Erasmus has opted to start with Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Manie Libbok in most matches lately, using the other player or Pollard from the bench. Pollard only started one of the four games so far, though he played the full 80 minutes against Italy at Loftus. Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Libbok have been stronger in open play than Pollard, though less dependable in front of posts. The former achieved an 85.7% kicking success rate in the last United Rugby Championship, while his Stormers teammate Libbok recorded 72.6%. Yet it was Libbok who shone in front of posts in the second Italy Test, coming back from two misses to slotting his next five. It is somewhat of a conundrum for Erasmus, who was evidently backing Libbok and Feinberg-Mngomezulu's open play, after they shone in the URC. But it is hard to judge the number of potential points they created versus those they lost in front of posts. Rassie: Using all three makes the team less predictable 'I actually think all three of them are above average in every single department,' Erasmus said. 'Each one has his different strengths. I think it will depend on the opposition.' He said it would also depend on his forward-back bench split, and he may even employ utility back Damian Willemse. 'It will depend on whether we go a 6–2 split or 7–1 or 5–3. Probably if you go 6–2, someone like Sacha will work lekker, or Damian Willemse. It will depend on what the plan is on the day. 'We don't have a first choice currently. If it was now a semi-final or final, it will be this flyhalf. If it is a running open game and we have a 7–1 split, it will be this guy. Then, if we really want to grind it out, it will be that guy. 'We like to think that doesn't just keep our options open, but it's harder to analyse. Less predictable.'
