Manie Libbock was a sensation for The Stormers in URC, but he has been a little bit iffy off the tee at the World Cup.

This could be confidence, or it could be the fact that his rhythm has been disturbed by the urgency of the countdown timer, which seems to allow slightly less time than Libbock needs.

But that is not the issue. Libbock isn’t actually in the team for his goal-kicking ability any more than Eben Etzebeth or Frans Malherbe are there for their goal-kicking. No, Libbock is there because he is without a doubt the best number ten in the country. His pace, his defence and his incredible passing ability are why he is there.

And yes, Handre Pollard is a good flyhalf too, but he is a little more predictable and a little less x-factorish than Manie. So, how do Rassie and Jacques make it work? The answer is simple, and it can all be found in history.

In 1995 when South Africa won the World Cup for the first time, they famously had Joel Stransky at ten. Next to him at the inside centre stood Hennie Le Roux. When South Africa won it again in 2007 it was Butch James at ten. Outside him at 12 was Frans Steyn. In 2003 England finished with Jonny Wilkinson at flyhalf and Mike Catt at 12. Against them were Stephen Larkham and Elton Flatley.

The point here is that in each of these highly successful teams, the number 12 was also a recognized and highly competent flyhalf in his own right. This is where Pollard must play. He has all the attributes of a good inside centre and with him lining up outside Libbock you suddenly have a 10/12 axis that offers options by the dozen.

In some ways, the Springboks have tried this earlier in the season when Willie Le Roux was pushed forward from fullback to provide an alternative first-receiver option. It would work significantly better with Pollard in that role.

Shift Damien De Allende to the outside centre, drop Jesse Kriel to the bench and your kicking problems are solved without in any way compromising your flyhalf dynamism.