Springboks vs Wallabies: Why Manie Libbok Should Start at Flyhalf in Perth
- Manie Libbok’s impact in the third Test has sparked fresh questions about how the Springboks could approach their next clash with Australia
- Rassie Erasmus has several selection decisions to make in Perth, with one attacking option potentially offering the Boks something different
- The Springboks have already seen what Manie Libbok can add to their attack, but his next opportunity could come with an interesting twist
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SOUTH AFRICA — Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus faces a strategic decision ahead of Sunday's one-off Test against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth, with analyst Devin Hermanus arguing that Manie Libbok deserves a starting berth at flyhalf.
Writing for SA Rugby Magazine on 21 September 2026, Hermanus argued that the evidence from the recent Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand points to one clear conclusion: the Springboks play a markedly different brand of rugby when Libbok controls the game at 10.
Manie Libbok's influence on the Springbok attack
In the opening two Tests of the Greatest Rivalry series, South Africa struggled to generate tries through structured play. All three scores in the second Test came from individual runners rather than backline movement off the flyhalf.
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The third Test told a different story. Libbok came off the bench and almost immediately changed the tempo, most notably orchestrating the move that led to Kurt-Lee Arendse's try. He called for the ball off a turnover and quickly spread it wide. Damian de Allende's tackle-break released Arendse to finish.
Hermanus pointed to Libbok's wider body of work as further justification. He cited South Africa's record victory over the All Blacks in Wellington and a dominant performance against France at Stade de France in November. Libbok came on with the Boks trailing by a point and helped conjure three tries.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whom Hermanus described as an elite playmaker but not yet a game manager, benefits when Libbok is on the field. It lets him roam freely and attack the line from inside positions.
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Pollard partnership a possibility in Perth
With De Allende rested for the Perth Test, Hermanus suggested Erasmus could deploy Handré Pollard at inside centre alongside Libbok. The combination would give the world champions both creativity and experience in the midfield.
Pollard missed the latter stages of the Greatest Rivalry series after being named in the starting XV for the second Test.
Libbok, who has grown in confidence since joining a Japanese club, brings long passing, cross-kicking ability and a high work rate. He was central to the Boks' fast start in the 2025 Rugby Championship opener against Australia at Ellis Park, where South Africa led 22-0 before an intercept try swung momentum back towards the Wallabies.
Sunday's fixture at Optus Stadium, Hermanus concluded, presents conditions tailor-made for Libbok to direct operations from the start.
Springboks vs Wallabies kick-off and Perth Test details
Briefly News previously reported that the Springboks will face the Wallabies at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, 27 September 2026, with the match scheduled for 11:45 am South African time. The Australian venue lists kick-off at 5:30 pm local time.
The Perth Test follows South Africa’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand and is expected to give Rassie Erasmus another opportunity to rotate his squad.
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Source: Briefly News
