One for the Manie, two for the show ... Springbok Libbok brought his kicking boots and is ready to go

Manie Libbok’s flawless performance off the kicking tee against the Barbarians bodes well for the Springboks ahead of tougher assignments later this year.

Libbok has always been a wonderful operator with ball in hand, with his crisp passing and running ability probably best suited to the new direction the Springboks are heading on attack.

Libbok, who came on for another talented youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the second half at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, sparked the Bok attack against a tiring Barbarians outfit.

His game-management was very good in terrible wet and windy conditions, showcasing his brilliant all-round skills as the Boks put the Baabaas to the sword in the second stanza.

However, it was 100% success rate when aiming at the posts that was most impressive, especially as many of those kicks weren’t easy in the conditions, as the wind does tend to swirl in Cape Town’s former 2010 FIFA World Cup venue.

While his general play and ability in a Bok jersey can never be questioned, Libbok has come in for a lot of criticism in the past for missing kickable penalties.

He missed the winning kick in the dying moments against Argentina away in the Rugby Championship last year, which saw him being stripped off the kicking duties in the next match.

But on Saturday he was on the money, with coach Rassie Erasmus revealing that he has been working hard with Bok assistant coach Tony Brown and Stormers kicking guru Gareth Wright.

Erasmus also mentioned that he also needs some credit for his part in Libbok’s performance off the tee against the Barbarians.

“Tony worked hard with Manie, Gareth Wright also shadowed him for a week or the few days he was with us. But I told Tony I wanted the credit, because I told Manie to try to miss his kicks because then balls would go over!” Erasmus joked after the match.

The Springboks, as in most other positions, are pretty stocked at flyahalf, with Libbok competing with Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the double Rugby World Cup-winner Handre Pollard. Then there is also utility back Damian Willemse, who is set to feature this coming weekend against Italy in Pretoria. 

“Manie is in a good headspace, he’s a competitor and a good team man,” Erasmus added. “Sacha is a younger guy who still has much to learn.

“It’s good to have Manie there to help Sacha, with Tony, Handre and Damian Willemse.

“We are very fortunate to have this group of flyhalves working together, and I can see quite a bit of determination [among them].”

@JohnGoliath82