SOUTH AFRICA stunned commentators with the “ruthless” removal of superstar Manie Libbok after just half an hour into their epic 16-15 World Cup semi-final comeback win against England.
With the Red Rose shocking many with a confident start on the way to a 12-6 interval lead, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus replaced fly-half Libbok with Handre Pollard.
GettyManie Libbok looked shell-shocked to be taken off so early[/caption]
Surprised ITV commentators were full of sympathy for Libbok over the unusually-early tactical change.
And South Africa also raised eyebrows with more tweaks soon after the break – particularly baffling fans by hauling off skipper Siya Kolisi.
But ex-England fly-half Paul Grayson backed what some fans online called the first “brutal” move by Erasmus.
Grayson told BBC Radio 5 live: “Manie Libbok looked miles off it. He normally kicks brilliantly with both feet.
“He did not look comfortable out there and South Africa have made an early change.”
England were 9-3 up at the time.
Pollard then added to a penalty from the main he replaced, Libbok, to cut the deficit.
But Owen Farrell kicked his fourth penalty on the brink of the break to leave the Red Rose dreaming – ultimately in vain.
Supporters online were divided over Libbok being taken off.
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Some accused Erasmus of a “knee-jerk reaction, one saying: “This is not the move to make. Manie has not been the issue.”
Another took a longer view oer the superstar’s legacy in the game.
He posted: “Oh that would put a dent on Libboks career for sure . In a World Cup semi final too .. oh I wouldn’t have done that. At least wait for half time.”
But a rival batch of Boks’ fans disagreed.
One argued of the substitution: “That’s a good move, he is costing us.” A second said: “Had to be done.”
And a frank yet balanced view was: “Brutal but it’s entirely fair. Wasn’t having a great game at all. Not all his fault.”
Faf de Klerk then came on at scrum-half for Cobus Reinach two minutes into the second period.
Then Kolisi and No8 Duane Vermeulen went off – angering a large number of South Africa supporters.
One exploded on X: “Why was Kolisi taken off in the 50th minute??????”
Another wrote: “Captain Kolisi taken off. Done nothing wrong… Ridiculous.”
Farrell’s monster drop-goal to put England 15-6 up didn’t improve the mood of bemused Boks’ supporters – but it was Pollard’s whose late long-range penalty clinched a fortuitous South African victory.
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