Flyhalf Manie Libbok has attributed his red-hot form to the Springboks and DHL Stormers coaches, who allow him to play his natural game.
Libbok, who joined the Stormers in 2021 from the Vodacom Bulls as the Capetonians looked to boost their depth at No 10, finished the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby as a title winner and the competition’s leading points scorer.
Since bursting onto the scene with the Junior Springboks, the 25-year-old’s career has had its ups and downs, and critics still suggest he is prone to errors despite his incredible game breaking.
Speaking to BokSquad, Libbok feels being encouraged to play without fear of failure has inspired to him to shoot the lights out.
“Playing a brand of rugby that excites the people and gets them to come and watch the Stormers – that’s what we’re trying to do,” Libbok said. “Our team goal is to get people smiling.
“We’re not where we want to be just yet. There’s a lot to improve. The intent is there, though. The way I play, I’m going to make mistakes. How you learn or bounce back from those mistakes defines you.
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“Rugby moves very quickly, and whether you succeed or fail, you have to try and influence the next moment… and then the next. I always tell myself to forget about what came before. There will be another opportunity to make a difference.”
Libbok made his Test debut for the Springboks off the bench against France in the November tour and followed that up with a memorable match as a substitute against Italy, when he slotted five conversions.
“Sjoe, there’s a lot more pressure at the highest level,” he added. “But the Bok coaches gave us the freedom to take the opportunities as they arose, whether we were in our own 22 or on the opposition tryline. There was a lot of that kind of encouragement, which was great to experience.
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“If I made a mistake, I knew that I had to just turn it around into a positive as quickly as possible,” Libbok clarified. “As long as I recognised the opportunity and tried to take it – I think that’s what they wanted from me.”
Playing alongside Springbok playmaker Damian Willemse has also helped Libbok to elevate his game and dictate play for the Stormers, and now the Boks.
“Damian and I play together at the Stormers, so we know each other well and we know how to feed off each other in a game situation. Willie [le Roux] has so much experience – and all of us just tried to learn as much as we could from him,” he added.
“He helped us a lot in terms of the way he communicated with us on the field and encouraged strong decision making, and I think that went a long way toward us clicking. The way we played against Italy was especially encouraging.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter