Comment by Ashfak Mohamed
This past Tuesday was the one-year anniversary of THAT no-look cross-kick by Manie Libbok for the Springboks against Scotland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby stars are normally celebrated for a no-look pass that can catch the defence off-guard, but Libbok took it a step further at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on September 10 last year.
Pure perfection from Manie Libbok 🤩
Kurt-Lee Arendse didn't even have to break stride#RWC2023 | #RSAvSCO pic.twitter.com/zRoMg8Xv5T
After receiving the ball just inside the Scottish half, Libbok kept his focus on Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist, and then delivered a perfect chip into the hands of Kurt-Lee Arendse.
The Bok right wing had maintained his width and claimed the ball just outside the 22 before running it in easily for a five-pointer.
Libbok’s moment of magic became an instant meme on social media, and showed the world just what the Bok flyhalf was capable of on the biggest stage.
But after some battles with his goal-kicking, the Stormers star was taken off after just 30 minutes of the semi-final against England at the Stade de France in Paris, with Handré Pollard displaying his usual ice-cool temperament to slot some crucial kicks to help South Africa clinch a fourth Webb Ellis Cup.
Libbok would’ve hoped to be in the mix once more this year, but has only had a start against Portugal in Bloemfontein, with youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu coming to the fore and starring against the Wallabies and All Blacks in the Rugby Championship.
So, it was somewhat fitting that Libbok was included in a 28-man Bok squad on Tuesday for the trip to Argentina – a year after the Scotland cross-kick – with Feinberg-Mngomezulu left out as part of seven regulars being given a rest.
Next Saturday’s Test provides Libbok with an ideal opportunity to stake his claim once more for the No 10 jersey.
Coach Rassie Erasmus mentioned this week, following the 18-12 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town last Saturday, that “some players, such as Johan Grobbelaar, Manie Libbok, Jaden Hendrikse and Canan Moodie – to name a few – will benefit immensely from more game time at this level”.
Considering that Pollard started against Ireland in July and the All Blacks last weekend, Libbok is due another opportunity to run out in the No 10 jersey at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in the city of Santiago del Estero (11pm kick-off, SA time).
Considering the backs picked for the tour, Libbok is likely to have the experienced Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel alongside him at centre, while the back three is likely to be comprised of Aphelele Fassi, Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi.
All three scrumhalf options are excellent too, in the shape of Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse, so Libbok will have quality support around him to steer the Bok attack against the in-form Argentinian side that thrashed the Wallabies 67-27 last weekend.
The morning after the night before 🏉
Electric atmosphere at Cape Town Stadium for @Springboks v @AllBlacks, and amazing rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika 🇿🇦 @WeekendArgus @TheCapeArgus @CapeTimesSA #RSAvNZL #Springboks #AllBlacks #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/jydU2VtVxQ
The first issue Libbok will need to conquer is his goal-kicking, but there is no doubt that he is still a supreme playmaker who can ignite the Bok backline.
In many respects, he is a more complete flyhalf ‘general’ than both Pollard and Feinberg-Mngomezulu, considering his skill set, as well as his ability to call the shots and lead the Bok attack.
But he will need a big performance to convince Erasmus that he should be ahead of his two flyhalf rivals, and that the Argentina Test could be his second coming to the Bok fold.
So, in that regard, Libbok will hope that the forwards can provide front-foot ball.
There are some new faces up front who will also be keen to push for more game time in future by being dominant against Argentina. Tighthead props Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch immediately spring to mind, while it will be interesting to see whether Jan-Hendrik Wessels is utilised at hooker or loosehead prop.
Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden are in a similar scenario to the props, while No 4 lock Salmaan Moerat will want to prove that he can be relied upon to step in for Eben Etzebeth as the hard man of the Bok pack.
#Springboks captain Siya Kolisi after the win over the #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/I9oZ2eY3zd
— Ashfak Mohamed (@ashfakmohamed) September 7, 2024
Springbok Squad For Argentina
Props: Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Ox Nche, Gerhard Steenekamp
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Malcolm Marx
Locks: Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortjé
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok, Handré Pollard
Centres: Lukhanyo Am, Jesse Kriel
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi
Utility back: Canan Moodie