Liebenberg, barely two weeks before his 26th birthday, is to replace a hopelessly out of form Adam Bacher and makes his Test debut for the second match of the series against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Centurion on Friday.
It has been common knowledge that Peter Pollock and other members of his panel have battled since the side returned from Australia seven weeks ago to find the answers to solve South Africa's continual breakdown of the top order.
Better known as Gerry, the Free State captain has been in contention since the 1995/96 season when he began the domestic programme with his maiden first-class 200. Although his form has blown hot, cold and indifferent he remains a player of class. He has been on tours of England with the senior side in 1994 and 1996 with the A team, and was also with Bacher in Sri Lanka with the under/24s in 1995.
Although he has one one-day international match to his credit against Zimbabwe in Harare in October 1995 - the main focus of his SA career has been as a tag-along, although he showed style, class and promise in England in 1996 and again against the West Indies A side in the ``test'' series and the three day/night games.
And those of us who saw the magnificent century against Sri Lanka in the first of two limited-overs games during the u/24 tour can testify he's no sloucch with the bat.
Yet his form this season has been average, barely touching 400 runs at SuperSport Series level while his form against West Indies A was interesting but rarely convincing.
No doubt Hansie Cronje had a bit to do with Liebenberg's selection, although scores of 22 and one for Free State against Pakistan hardly made him a candidate to take over from Bacher. The theory was to open with Jacques Kallis while Dale Benkenstein, the Natal captain and regarded by some as the millennium man and most likely to take over from Cronje in five years time, would be introduced as someone who could bat at either five or six.
Benkenstein's call up now has to wait until the ODI slogs start next month; hardly the ideal way to introduce a young talented batsman to the international arena.
Libeneberg's selection is the only change to the side with Lance Klusener likely to catch a game ahead of Makhaya Ntini if the pitch at Centurion is favourable.
Yet their are certain selection priorities looming when the ODIs are over on April 22 and teams for England (senior) and Sri Lanka (South Africa A) are announced. Can Bacher now be consigned to the A team ranks and tour Sri Lanka a second time? Along with Benkenstein? After all, Benkie is expected to stay on as captain of an South Africa A side which could be heavily experimental.
Bold dot: An ankle injury to Sri Lanka's top fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has seen The Management call on their board to sent a replacement, most likely Mario Villavarayan to join the tourists in time for the second test.
Vaas, confirmed Arjuna Ranatunga the Lankans captain yesterday, has been handicapped by an ankle injury since his arrival and did not bowl at full pace during the first test at Newlands in Cape Town.
South African squad:
Gary Kirsten, Gerhardus Liebenberg, HD Ackerman, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Allan Donald, Paul Adams Makhaya Ntini.