'We're trying to avoid that': Erasmus explains surprising selection call

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'We're trying to avoid that': Erasmus explains surprising selection call

2026/06/16 Report

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South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has said that past experiences with injuries influenced his decision to start Quan Horn at fly-half against the Barbarians on Saturday instead of Manie Libbok.

The one-cap Horn, who primarily plays on the wing or at full-back for the Lions, will start at fly-half at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, with 19-year-old Vusi Moyo his back-up on the bench.

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Though Libbok is available to play, Erasmus said that he is avoiding a potential injury to the 28-year-old with their Nations Championship campaign on the horizon, starting with England at Ellis Park on July 4.

Events at the end of 2025 taught Erasmus this lesson, as he started Ox Nche against Japan ahead of the Quilter Nations Series, only for the loosehead to pick up an injury just days after fellow loosehead Jan-Hendrik Wessells had received a nine-match ban.

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