Jaden Hendrikse says halfback partner Manie Libbok has the full support of his teammates as the Springboks prepare to battle Argentina for the Rugby Championship title on Saturday.
The clash at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium will determine the winner of this year’s Rugby Championship, after the Springboks twice let a lead slip in a 29-28 defeat in Santiago del Estero.
Libbok has received plenty of criticism after missing a last-minute penalty, which would have given the world champions the lead going into the final play of the match.
However, speaking after the Boks assembled in Nelspruit, scrumhalf Hendrikse
“I’ve come a long way with Manie, and just like the rest of the team, we back him 100%,” said Hendrikse.
“We just had our match review and coach Tony (Brown) showed us how many opportunities we had that we did not convert into points, so the game should not have come down to one kick.”
The Springboks need just one point from Saturday’s match to clinch the title, at a ground where they are unbeaten in four games.
The only permutation that would see Argentina claim the title for the first time, is if the visitors win with a try-scoring bonus point and deny the hosts a point, which would see Los Pumas crowned champions since they would have beaten South Africa twice.
Saturday’s match will also a special occasion for Eben Etzebeth, who is poised to become the most-capped Springbok of all time, after matching Victor Matfield’s record in Argentina.
“It’s a massive milestone to become the most capped Springbok,” Hendrikse said. “I remember watching him play as an 11-year-old boy, so I’m very proud of him with the rest of the team.”
Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
