Video: Libbok gets huge endorsement from legendary Springbok
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend Morne Steyn has no doubt that Manie Libbok is capable of delivering in the Green and Gold No.10 jersey at the World Cup in France.
Manie Libbok has been very impressive for the Stormers during the last two seasons in the United Rugby Championship.
Since joining the Cape Town franchise in 2021, he has grown immensely as a flyhalf, concluding last season as the URC’s leading points scorer.
However, he has faced loads of criticism at international level over his inconsistent goal-kicking displays.
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The flyhalf struggled with his kicking during the Rugby Championship and his performance in the World Cup warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff – slotting five out of nine kicks at goal – added more concerns.
However, he bounced back from his bad day with a five-out-five goal-kicking game during the historic 35-7 win over the All Blacks at Twickenham.
While the 100 percent goal-kicking record at Twickenham managed to ease the concerns of Boks fans, the question remains, can he maintain the form at the World Cup?
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One man who certainly thinks he is more than capable of delivering is Steyn, who is one of the most prolific Springbok kickers with 742 points,
“A guy like Manie Libbok has worked his ar*e off to be where he is,” Steyn said when asked about Libbok as the Springbok flyhalf.
“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 [when Libbok slotted five out of five kicks against the All Blacks in a record victory in London], we saw that he can be that 90 percent [success rate] goal-kicker when it is needed from him.
“He kicked very well at the Stormers, so I don’t know what happened the previous three games.”
Libbok is currently the only specialist flyhalf in the Springbok squad with Handre Pollard being ruled out of the tournament due to a calf injury.
Pollard, who was an integral part during the Boks’ triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign in Japan, has returned to his Premiership club Leicester Tigers.
He has been training with the Premiership side and is on the standby list should there be any injuries among the 33-player squad.
The Springboks will open their World Cup defence against Scotland (September 10) before they take on Romania (September 17), Ireland (September 24), and Tonga (October 1) in their other pool clashes.
Steyn believes the Boks’ win over the All Blacks has given them good momentum heading into the showpiece.
“We all saw on Friday [against the All Blacks] what they [Springboks] can do and the type of rugby they can play,” Steyn noted.
“I am excited about the World Cup.
“It will be an exciting one. I think the team is ready.”
The Boks are currently in Corsica and will travel to their World Cup base in Toulon on Saturday.
