This week’s clash Down Under presents Rassie Erasmus with the ideal opportunity to showcase the Springboks’ attacking edge with Manie Libbok at flyhalf, writes DEVIN HERMANUS.
It’s blatantly obvious the Boks play ‘Tonyball’ only with Libbok in the pocket.
In the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener, South Africa struggled to score tries off structure. Test two was more of the same. All three tries were created by one-off runners generating sustained pressure and momentum. There was no playing off 10.
But in the third Test, it was noticeable: when Libbok came on, the game changed and so did the way the Boks played.
KEO: SFM is a fabulous rugby player
South Africa stayed in the game via Kurt-Lee Arendse’s try, and it was the first try in the series where it could be noticeable the Boks were actually playing Tonyball.
It came off a turnover. Libbok calls it out immediately and flings it wide. The ball moves quickly through the backs, Damian de Allende breaks a tackle and releases Arendse to score.
When they tried to in the first Test, there was a lot of ball going to ground. It felt as though the confidence in the backline to make those decisions – to call it out, to go wide – simply wasn’t there.
In the third Test, they had another dimension to them compared to the first two Tests. The reason for that is Libbok.
Look at last year against the All Blacks in Wellington. Look at the France Test in November; South Africa were down by one point when he came on, and suddenly conjured up three tries.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, an excellent ballplayer but not a game controller at this stage of his career, plays much better when Libbok is on the field. Feinberg-Mngomezulu can roam and come inside where he sees fit.
That’s what Libbok provided in the third Test.
TINDALL: Boks got the game unlocked
On Sunday, Erasmus can give some inexperienced players and those in need of game time a chance against the Wallabies.
Libbok and Handré Pollard didn’t start in the Greatest Rivalry, the former sidelined since the second Test after being named to start while the latter featured off the bench for all four Tests.
With De Allende rested, it also creates a gap for Erasmus to deploy Pollard at inside centre alongside Libbok.
ALSO: Kitsie names Doogz’s deputy
If the Boks want to open things up, Libbok is the best option. He loves to call for the ball, demands width in attack and his long passes and cross-kicks are a thing of beauty.
In the 2025 Rugby Championship opener versus Australia at Ellis Park, Libbok was instrumental as the Boks raced to a 22-0 lead, but an intercept pass he threw led to a Wallabies try that helped turn the game.
His kicking off both feet, work rate and how he creates opportunities for those around him is unquestioned, and playing in Japan has made the former Stormers star a more assured playmaker.
The one-off Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium is made for Libbok to call the shots.
Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post A given Sunday made for Manie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
This week’s clash Down Under presents Rassie Erasmus with the ideal opportunity to showcase the Springboks’ attacking edge with Manie Libbok at flyhalf.
The post A given Sunday made for Manie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
