Who Runs the Show in Paris? The Boks’ Fly-Half Dilemma

The Springboks and France meet again this Saturday in Paris in what promises to be another classic. It’s being billed as the rematch of the greatest game ever played, that unforgettable 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal where the Boks edged Les Bleus by a single point and sent the hosts crashing out of their own tournament.

Two years later, the stakes feel just as high. Both sides are brimming with confidence and power, and if history is anything to go by, we’re in for another night of rugby theatre at its finest. But before kickoff, one question still hangs in the air, who should wear the No.10 jersey for South Africa?

The Boks are spoilt for choice with three playmakers to choose from in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok. Each offers something completely different, and each could shape the way the Boks go about unlocking a French team that loves to match fire with fire.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is the talk of the town right now. The young Stormers fly-half has brought a fearless, attacking spark to the Bok setup and seems to have worked his way to the front of the queue. His ability to play on the gainline, link up with his runners and keep defences guessing has brought a new energy to South Africa’s evolving “Tony-ball” approach, a faster, more expressive style of play. He’s full of flair and confidence, but this weekend could be his biggest test yet. France are not a side that will let him play freely. They thrive in broken play and love to turn opposition ambition into counter-attack opportunities. This could be the type of game where patience and pragmatism matter just as much as creativity.

Still, that’s exactly why Sacha should start. We’ve seen him shine when the Boks are on the front foot, when the forwards are bossing the breakdown and the backline has space to play. But Paris will be different. The French pack is one of the few in world rugby that can match South Africa physically. The contest up front is likely to be tight, and Sacha may find himself under pressure to generate momentum rather than simply enjoy it. This is the kind of game that will show whether he’s truly ready to be the long-term answer at fly-half, whether he can control territory, kick smartly, and make the right calls when space is limited and the heat is on.

Then there’s Handré Pollard: the Springbok Ice Man. Calm, composed, and ruthless when it matters most. He’s built for nights like these, the ones played in tight margins where every penalty and every inch gained counts. If the Boks decide to lean on their power game, play for territory, and grind France down through structure, Pollard is the man for the job. His accuracy off the tee needs no reminder; it was the difference in that very World Cup quarterfinal. And if the Bok pack keeps doing what it’s done all season, dominating scrums and forcing penalties, Pollard’s boot could once again prove the deciding factor. He doesn’t bring the same flair as Sacha or Manie, but when composure and precision are what’s needed, he’s still the benchmark. Having him on the bench as a safety net feels like the smart move, the ultimate insurance policy if things get too loose or the scoreboard too close.

And finally, there’s Manie Libbok. Few players split opinion quite like him, but there’s no denying the electricity he brings. His vision and passing can stretch even the best defences, and his ability to put teammates into space is world-class. Libbok embodies the attacking evolution the Boks have been trying to develop. A dynamic, fast, unpredictable brand of rugby. Importantly, his kicking troubles seem to be behind him, and with his confidence restored, he offers something completely different to Pollard or Sacha. At the moment, he looks to be favoured as the bench option behind Sacha, which makes sense. Against a tiring French defence, Libbok’s pace and creativity could be devastating late in the game.

France, of course, won’t be easy to crack. They’re a team built to take the fight to the Boks physically, with a forward pack that can go toe-to-toe in the trenches. They’re disciplined, brutal at the breakdown, and know how to turn pressure into points.

And that’s why, for this one, I’d start Sacha. Not necessarily because he’s the best tactical fit. That’s probably still Pollard, but because this is the kind of challenge that could show us what he’s truly made of. It’s the perfect chance to see if he can command a game when the platform isn’t perfect, when the French pack is hammering the rucks, and when time and space are in short supply. If he can thrive under those conditions, then maybe, just maybe, South Africa has found its next great fly-half.

With Pollard waiting in the wings and Libbok ready to bring the spark if the game opens up, the Boks have options. And in a match that promises to be as fierce and emotional as last year’s quarterfinal, that kind of depth could be the difference once again. I would add Pollard to the bench, because if this game is as close as I believe it is going to be, we're going to need him there to slot the match winner again.