Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok says he has perfected kicking with both feet. Photo: Luca Sighinolfi/BackpagePix.
Road to the RWC | Springbok player profile: Manie Libbok
As part of our build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, we continue to profile each player in the Springboks’ squad. Next up: Manie Libbok.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok says he has perfected kicking with both feet. Photo: Luca Sighinolfi/BackpagePix.
There is no bigger winner in the Springboks’ World Cup squad than Manie Libbok, who has shot up the ranks to now be regarded as the first-choice flyhalf following an injury to Handre Pollard.
Libbok will have a crucial role to play at the global showpiece, and below we highlight some key information about the 26-year-old in our ongoing World Cup player profile series.
LIVE UPDATES: SPRINGBOKS’ ROAD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP
PROFILE: MANIE LIBBOK
Name: Manie Libbok
Born: 15 July 1997, Humansdorp
School: Dan Pienaar Outeniqua
Major teams: Springboks, South Africa U20, Sharks, Stormers, Bulls
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 6-foot
Test debut: South Africa v France in Marseille, 12 November 2022
Springbok no.: 931
Tests played: 7
Tries scored: 1
Current club team: Stormers
All information correct as at 18 August 2023
FOR THE LATEST RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS VISIT THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEBSITE
SPRINGBOKS’ 2023 FIXTURES:
RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 19 August – Boks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff), 4:15pm
Friday, 25 August – Boks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London), 8.30pm
ALSO READ | Springboks squad explained: 4 scrumhalves, 2 hookers, 2 flyhalves
RWC FIXTURES:
Sunday, 10 September – Boks v Scotland (Stade Velodrome, Marseille), 5:45pm
Sunday, 17 September – Boks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux), 3pm
Saturday, 23 September – Boks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris), 9pm
Sunday, 1 October – Boks v Tonga (Stade Velodrome, Marseille), 9pm
Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final
WATCH: Faf de Klerk CAN and WILL play flyhalf
World Cup squad
Props: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points), Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points).
Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears – 61 caps, 75 points).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points), Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points), Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points), RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points).
Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points), Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points), Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points), Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points).
Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points).
RECAP | Rugby World Cup 2023: Springbok squad announcement
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points), Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points).
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 9 caps, 50 points), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points).
