The DHL Stormers see Manie Libbok’s concussion-enforced absence from Saturday’s crucial Champions Cup clash with Clermont as a perfect opportunity to test their depth at flyhalf.
Libbok will sit out the match at Cape Town Stadium after being concussed in the first half of last week’s victory over London Irish in Brentford.
This means that the Stormers, needing a point from the game to qualify for the Champions Cup playoffs, will have to take on Clermont without their star playmaker, who has made the No 10 his own since joining from the Sharks in 2021.
However, while providing an update on Libbok’s status, backline coach Dawie Snyman told the media on Wednesday that the Stormers now have a good opportunity to critically assess their depth at flyhalf.
“He’s actually fine. In terms of his return, Manie’s done his return-to-play test on Wednesday so it’s probably just this week [that he’ll be absent]. He passed all the others. He was fine even after last weekend’s game,” Snyman said.
“Having him unavailable means we have to look at our options. It’s something we have to do, it’s probably a good time to do so too. There are lots of possibilities there. At some stage, we’ll probably have to operate without him anyway. It might even happen in a semi-final or final, so it’s a great challenge for us as a squad.
“We need to build depth there so that we can execute our game without him. He’s done a brilliant job for us.”
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When Libbok went off against London Irish, the Stormers brought youngster Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu on to run the plays at flyhalf, something John Dobson after the match admitted was an error as the original plan was to have him cover fullback or centre.
However, the Stormers could once again look to the Junior Springbok captain, who has been compared to teammate Damian Willemse, to show his mettle at 10 on Saturday.
“The comparison is spot-on, especially given that Sacha and Damian start their careers at us in similar contexts. Sacha plays with great composure and slots in well in big games, like last season’s URC quarter-final against Edinburgh,” said Snyman.
“Sacha’s big traits are composure and physicality, he’s got a rugby brain and understands games from different positions and what’s required.
“It’s something we want to develop, having multiple decision-makers on the field and guys who can take the ball at first receiver. And experienced guys [like Willemse] being around a younger guy also helps a lot.”
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