Libbok’s kicking revival boosts Springbok confidence
image: Springbok/X
by Lwandiso Simanga
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok’s renewed confidence with the boot has been one of the most encouraging storylines in the national camp ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Durban.
For years, Libbok’s goal-kicking woes have drawn scrutiny, with missed opportunities on the biggest stages leaving fans frustrated. Yet this season, he has shown clear progress. His flawless five-from-five against the Barbarians and six-from-seven in the win over New Zealand in Wellington signaled a turning point.
While Rassie Erasmus jokingly credited the improvement to the Boks’ switch from Gilbert to Rhino match balls, Libbok himself points to hard work. “I have put a lot of work into my kicking since I was struggling. I did everything in my power to get it right. I am just happy it is coming together now. The hard work is paying off,” he said.
The improvement hasn’t happened in isolation. Within the Springbok setup, Libbok benefits from working closely with fellow kickers Handré Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu under attack coach Tony Brown, while Willie le Roux’s experience also feeds into the mix. “We push each other to be better every day. That definitely helped me elevate my game,” Libbok noted.
Still, there are areas for growth. At times, his eagerness to ignite the Bok backline has led to overplaying, as seen in the Ellis Park loss to Australia earlier in the tournament, where risky decisions allowed the Wallabies to capitalise. Since then, he has spoken about learning to balance ambition with control.
“For me it’s about control and balance,” he explained. “Sometimes you need to give the forwards time to get their energy back so they can punch holes and do the set-pieces well. I can not overplay them I need them fresh when we get into the opposition 22.”
With a sharper boot and a more measured approach, Libbok looks increasingly like a reliable option at flyhalf. For the Springboks, his resurgence could prove vital as they build towards the business end of the Championship.