Libbok has plans to be Springboks’ Manie in the middle this year

The Springboks will play 13 Test matches during the coming bumper-to-bumper international season but Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok is not thinking too far ahead. 

Libbok and Handrè Pollard — young student and world-class past master who were the flyhalves as the Boks defended their World Cup title last year — remain the front-line pivots with the support of versatile Damian Willemse, who can take over the kicking duties when asked to do so. 

Then there are outsiders like Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Siya Masuku, who have caught the eye over the past few months of the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup. 

Coach Rassie Erasmus has hinted he may give opportunities to fringe players in the season opener against Wales at Twickenham on June 22 to keep senior key players for the clash against Ireland two weeks later at Loftus. 

Libbok has established himself as one of the key players for the Stormers, who he helped to successive URC finals, but he knows competition for places in the Springbok side is fierce and that he and Pollard are being pushed by emerging players.

“Sanele [Nohamba] and Masuku are good players coming through and they have taken their chances. I rate them both highly, but I am just focusing on myself and what I need to do to be at my best every week for the Stormers,” said Libbok. 

“The rest will look after itself. I know if I do my best for the Stormers every week, I will give myself the best chance to be selected for the Springboks. I am just focusing on myself and how I can be better as a player.

“I’ll keep working hard to be ready every week for the Stormers. My focus is on the Stormers and doing my best for them so that we give ourselves the best chance to try to win the URC.” 

The Stormers are in contention for the knockout stages in the URC and have qualified for next year's Champions Cup and Libbok is happy with the way this season has gone for him and the team. 

“We had some good moments and we had situations where we had to learn as a team and get better. Playing in all these competitions is tough because all the teams are well drilled and well coached. 

“The URC is a good competition because every weekend you play against top international players because teams have international players and that is the nice part of it. Every weekend you get to test yourself against some of the best players in the world. That is what you want as a player, you want to test yourself against the best and that is what URC offers us.” 

It helps us a lot as individuals and as a Springbok team to play against French, Welsh, English, Ireland, Scottish players in the Champions Cup. Playing against these players every week, we get to know them well and what makes them dangerous.

—  Manie Libbok

The Stormers and Bulls have fared well in the Champions Cup and Libbok says the tournament is tougher and of a higher standard than Super Rugby. 

“They are two different competitions — the Champions Cup is definitely the best in the world because you are playing against the best teams and players in the world when it comes to club rugby.” 

Libbok said playing against French, Irish, English, Welsh and Scottish teams in the Champions Cup will help the Springboks. 

“It helps us a lot as individuals and as a Springbok team to play against French, Welsh, English, Ireland, Scottish players in the Champions Cup. Playing against these players every week, we get to know them well and what makes them dangerous. Playing in the URC and Champions Cup helps a lot because we get to know these players well.” 

He also took time to reflect on the achievement of winning the World Cup in France last year where there was massive pressure.

“World Cup pressure was a different beast, I never experienced anything like that to be honest. Making your debut for the Springboks is pressure on its own, but at the same time it is a privilege to be in a position to represent your country at the biggest stage of the World Cup. It was something completely new to me.

“Rugby changes my life heavily, I am grateful for the game for what it has done for my life. I just want to be out there doing my best, if I get the opportunity to play for the Springboks I will do my best because it is a privilege to wear the jersey. My focus is to always do my very best when representing my country.”