Flyhalf Manie Libbok has matured into one of the best players in the world, according to his former Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.
Libbok will start on the bench and is set to provide some spark late in Friday night’s Nations Championship Test against France in Paris, after fulfilling a similar role against Italy last week and during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The 29-year-old has faced criticism over his game management and goal-kicking, but Roux believes Libbok has made strides in dealing with adversity.
“When Manie is at his best, he is probably one of the best players in the world,” Roux told News24. “But when things don’t go his way, you sometimes want to take him off the field at half-time.
“That’s what exceptional players have to learn – how to turn things around when things aren’t going well and how to get themselves back into the game. Nobody is a perfect player from the start.
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“He is much more mature. If he makes a mistake, he moves on to the next phase of the game. That’s what the best players do. They quickly forget when something has gone wrong.”
Roux says Libbok’s willingness to accept the current responsibility given to him by Bok boss Rassie Erasmus is a sign of his growth.
“When they told him that Cheslin Kolbe would handle the goal-kicking, it didn’t bother him. He simply continued playing his own game,” he added.
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Roux: Manie learned to forget about mistakes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Flyhalf Manie Libbok has matured into one of the best players in the world, according to his former Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.
The post Roux: Manie learned to forget about mistakes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
