By Toby Shapshak
A year ago Manie Libbok wasn’t even in the Springbok squad. Now he’s the first-choice flyhalf for the World Cup defence in France.
And boy does he deserve it.
After his imperious matchmaking game in the 35-7 demolition of the All Blacks in the final warmup game, he was masterful in all aspects of play – including his dead-eye goal kicking, after missing several easy kicks against Wales.
But big-match temperament is his middle name. After missing two kicks and six points, he returned to slot two conversions, ensuring Wales’ defeat.
Many rugby fans thought his best game to date was this year’s United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final, but he failed to take that form into the final where the Stormers lost to Munster.
At Twickenham, he showed shades of Henri Honiball in his command and BMT against a New Zealand side that was blown off the park – suffering their heaviest defeat against any opponent ever. Libbok was instrumental in that.
He is somewhat controversially the only specialist flyhalf in the World Cup squad – even if the injured Handré Pollard is travelling with the team.
He was praised by Springbok kicking legend Morne Steyn this week. “A guy like Manie Libbok has worked his arse off to be where he is,” Steyn told reporters.
“He sat behind me [at the Bulls]. He sat behind a lot of guys and worked hard. They did not give him the opportunities.
“He is doing well now. Last weekend we saw that he can be that 90% goal-kicker when it is needed from him,” Steyn said of the All Blacks demolition.
“He kicked very well at the Stormers, so I don’t know what happened the previous three games.”
Born in 1997, Immanuel Libbok is another Eastern Cape talent who was picked for Eastern Province for the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week.
After moving to Hoërskool Outeniqua in George, he turned out for the Western Province at the Under-18 Craven Week in 2015.
A call-up to the national squad for the Under-18 International Series that year followed.
A year later, he was part of the team for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester, where he played flyhalf and fullback.
Although South Africa came fourth, he was part of the team that beat France, which included another rising star, French captain Antoine Dupont.
After stints at the Bulls and Sharks, Libbok found his home – and his rhythm – at the Stormers, where he was pivotal in the Cape side winning the inaugural URC in 2022.
His debut for the Springboks on the year-end tour came off the bench against Dupont’s France. Since Libbok started his first Springbok Test this year in the Australia thrashing, the 26-year-old has cemented his spot as starting number 10.
Does Steyn think Libbok has what it takes to play at a World Cup?
“We all saw on Friday night what they can do and the type of rugby they can play. I am excited about the World Cup. It will be an exciting one. I think the team is ready.”
Pictured above: Manie Libbok
Image source: Springboks
