The Wallabies have dismissed any suggestions that they will underestimate the Springboks’ rookie playmaker Manie Libbok when the sides meet in their Rugby Championship Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
The world champions head into this weekend’s tournament opener at Loftus Versfeld without the services of star fly-half Handre Pollard, who is sidelined with a calf injury.
First Test start for Libbok
That has opened the door for Libbok, who is set to make his first start for the Springboks against the Wallabies, after he made three appearances off the replacements bench during the Boks’ Tests in last year’s Autumn Nations Series in Europe.
Wallabies utility back Reece Hodge said the Stormers stalwart showed in those fixtures that he can do a job in the international arena.
“Manie got a couple of Tests in the Spring tour last year and played really well,” he told AAP. “He’s a quality player, been playing really well for the Stormers for a number of years now and putting his hand up for selection.
“He hasn’t let the Springboks down when he’s got a chance at Test level.”
The Boks have sent 14 of their squad’s players over to New Zealand for their second Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on July 15.
Included in that group are experienced players like Cheslin Kolbe, Steven Kitshoff, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi, Malcolm Marx, Faf de Klerk and Damian de Allende.
Hodge said despite being without those world class players, the Boks have plenty of depth in their ranks and he is preparing himself for a tough challenge from them on Saturday.
“They have the luxury of four or five or six guys in (each) position… It’s a very high-quality team and it’s going to be a massive Test for us,” he said.
“They’re going to be coming out firing in their first home Test of the year so we don’t really expect too much different there in terms of selection.”
Saturday’s match in Pretoria will be played at a high altitude and Hodge, who is renowned for his big boot, expects the match to become a kicking duel. With the ball travelling much further in the thinner air, Hodge is relishing the prospect of gaining some extra metres when he kicks the ball.
“It is a big part of the game (on the highveld), the ball travels a bit further,” he added.
“South Africa have traditionally been a very good kicking side. They put a lot of pressure on teams through contestable kicks.
“We will have to be smart in terms of how we counteract that and put pressure on them through our own kicking game. It will be a massive part of the match.
“It’s certainly exciting for a kicker to get a few extra bonus metres.”
Wallabies are well prepared
Hodge said Eddie Jones, who is preparing for his first Test since his return as Wallabies head coach, has prepared his team thoroughly for the clash with the Boks.
“One thing that Eddie has brought in is a lot of detail, he is one of the hardest workers I have come across,” Hodge said.
“He is meticulous in his preparation, both in the last two weeks of our camp and in this week leading up to the Test.”
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