Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok says an important part of his role is not overplaying the forwards. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
The 28-year-old came off the bench in the 18th minute of the Springboks’ match against the All Blacks in Wellington – replacing the concussed Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – and produced the best performance of his 22-Test career.
Libbok controlled the game superbly under pressure – a previous criticism of his play – and kicked well both out of hand, helping the Boks to dominate the aerial battle, and at goal, slotting five conversions and a penalty in a record 43-10 win.
“I just came on from the bench to do a job and fulfil my role,” he said on Wednesday. “The pressure was on when I got onto the field, but I took a lot of confidence from the preparation we’d done throughout the week. Our training is always at game intensity, so it wasn’t something new for me to step into.
“My focus was just to do whatever was needed in that situation, add to the team, and try to put us in the best possible position to get a result.”
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Libbok said that while the Boks had their game plans, he understood what was required from him.
“For me it’s always about control and balance. Part of my job is to make sure I don’t overplay the forwards, so they still have energy for the set piece and especially when we get into the opposition 22. That’s important – to manage their energy so they can punch when needed.”
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Libbok has taken flak for his goal-kicking, most notably when a missed penalty cost the Springboks victory against Argentina in Santiago del Estero last year. Asked if his improved accuracy was down to the new Rhino ball now used in South Africa, he laughed.
“It’s definitely the Rhino ball. But I’ve also put a lot of work into my kicking since I was struggling with it. I pride myself on getting it right and did everything I could to improve. I’m just happy the hard work is paying off now.”
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Libbok has again been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash against Los Pumas in Durban, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting at 10 and double World Cup winner Handré Pollard in the stands. He said the competition was beneficial for all three.
“We feed nicely off each other, and the same with Handré as well. The three of us push each other every day in training to be better, and that brings out the best in all of us. Working with Sacha, we’ve come a long way together from the Stormers. We learn from each other, and that helps all three of us elevate our games.”
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Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
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