A shadow of doubt certainly lies above South Africa’s beloved Springboks’ as they prepare to defend their title as Rugby World Cup Champions.
Jacques Nienaber has made it clear that he has full faith in the squad that he has selected. Nienaber, Rassie Erasmus, and the rest of the Springbok coaching team have built a squad with an immense amount of depth and are confident in that depth.
Manie Libbok Has A Winner’s Mentality
Manie Libbok is currently South Africa’s first choice flyhalf and the Stomers’ pivot is ready to live up to the hype. Libbok currently has less than 10 Test caps to his name. Nevertheless, he has proven himself to be a safe pair of hands on the international stage. Manie has managed to maintain his calm and collected presence for his country.
Many are doubting his big-match temperance ahead of the Rugby World Cup. However, he proved that he has a winner’s mentality against Argentina in their first of three warm-up matches. Libbok missed a handful of kicks in the first half. According to Nienaber he offered Libbok the chance to hand over kicking duties for the second half. He refused the offer and proceeded to redeem himself by edging the Boks ahead with successful goal-kicking in the second half.
Performing poorly in Test match rugby and then having the ability to acknowledge your downfalls and rectify the situation in the space of a half-time break is a clear indication that, although he has holes in his game, Libbok has a winner’s mentality.
Libbok is Not Pollard and that’s okay
Manie Libbok has big boots to fill. It is crucial that the pressure of The Rugby World Cup doesn’t force Nienaber to shape Libbok into a second-hand Pollard.
In order for Libbok to fully settle into a World Cup flyhalf, he must be given room to breathe and find his own rhythm (within reason). The Springbok flyhalf has displayed his ability to control the game on an international level. There is no shortage of leadership in the squad to keep him grounded.
A Fresh Style of Rugby
Manie Libbok may be the protagonist to a new era of South African rugby. Injuries and the imminent influx of new and influential players in the Springbok camp will inevitably usher in an evolution of playing style. The book of Springbok Rugby will obviously not be rewritten with the previous editions discarded. New chapters of the story are currently being written. The Rugby World Cup is arguably the start of a new exciting chapter.
South Africa has always played a game that relies on a physical pack of forwards and a tactical kicking game. Often putting the opposition under pressure and capitalizing on their mistakes. Manie Libbok was at 10 against the Wallabies in The Rugby Championship. The World got a glimpse of what is possible for the Springboks. They played a cohesive and fluid game of running rugby, directed by Libbok.
Roots Run Deep For SA Rugby
John Dobson, Stormers’ head coach, can certainly take some credit for encouraging this exciting brand of rugby. This style has translated well to the international stage through players like Damian Willemse and Libbok, playmakers and leaders in the Stormers’ set-up. 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach, Jake White, also has an influence over the squad. Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse both play their domestic rugby with the Blue Bulls, coached by White.
Pressure Produces Diamonds
There is no greater pressure for a rugby player than a knockout stage game of The Rugby World Cup. Manie Libbok has been the man of the hour for the Stomers’ and the Springboks on multiple occasions but he has also cracked under pressure.
Will we, under immense pressure, see a new diamond emerge or will it be a steep learning curve for Libbok and the Springboks?
All we can do is tune in and witness what could be history in the making. Let’s see how the Boks fair against Wales as Kolisi makes his return.
The Springbok team for Saturday can be viewed here.
Photo credit: Stefano Delfrate, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia
