BOK HULLE OP

SPRINGBOK flyhalf Manie Libbok wysed they are ready to level up and give Italy a ordentlike klap when the two sides face of in their second Test in Gqeberha.

Although South Africa beat Italy by 42-24 in the first Test in Pretoria at the weekend, Bok fans and even coach Rassie Erasmus were disappointed with the result.

In particular, the second half, where the Boks conceded 21 points and scored only 14 (two tries), as the Azzurri dominated the world champions.

That led to Eramsus making a vrag changes to his matchday squad with Libbok stepping in at 10 in place of Handre Pollard for the contest at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.  

It will be the first Test start of the season for the departing Stormers yster, and Libbok said of making he and his fellow Boks raise their game:  “The mindset in the team is good and we are really looking forward to the game.

“We’ve been very focused this week and locked in on the task at hand. Italy are definitely going to come hard at us, but I believe both sides will be up for what is going to be a great contest.”

Libbok is also excited by sharing the field with scrumhalf Grant Williams, who will play in his first Bok game of the season, while centre pairing Andre Esterhuizen en Canan Moodie will reunite in midfield for the first time since a pre-2023 World Cup game against New Zealand.

On that day Libbok was also the starting 10 as the Boks klapped the All Blacks 35-7 at Twickenham as Esterhuizen and Moodie made kleinskooltjie of the Kiwis.

Of doing the same to Italy, Libbok added: “It will be the third game Grant and I play together, so I’m really looking forward to it, much like I’m excited to have Andre and Canan with us in the midfield...

“Canan and Andre started against England at Twickenham together, and it will be great to have their experience, along with [Makazole] Mapimpi and Willie [Le Roux] in the backline.”