Ex-Bok head coach points finger of blame at Manie Libbok

One former Springbok head coach has taken aim at South Africa’s halfback pairing following their 38-22 defeat to Australia at Ellis Park, questioning Manie Libbok’s ability to control a Test match when conditions turned against him.

Libbok’s performance has been a lightning rod for criticism since the defeat, with his intercepted pass to Joseph Suaalii and defensive lapses highlighted as turning points.

With no specialist No.10 on the bench, Libbok was forced to play the full 80 minutes.

Speaking on the Talking Boks podcast, former South Africa head coach Nick Mallett said the Springboks’ lack of direction at scrumhalf and flyhalf contributed heavily to the Jo’burg collapse.

“From there, our halfbacks [Grant Williams and Libbok] never managed the game,” bemoaned Mallett. “Nine and 10 have to control a game, and they’ve got to sense when the game is moving in a certain direction.

“What happens sometimes with Manie, and I think he’s done it with the Stormers too, is that when things are going well, he’s brilliant on front-foot ball. His selections are really good. But when the ball isn’t so quick, he still tends to try and play that fast game, that wide-passing game, trying to play at pace.

“That was when we started playing, in my view, the incorrect style of rugby against Australia. They’re very good on transition, they’ve got very skilful players, and we made a lot of mistakes in that second half.

“This was a game crying out for more game management – kicking into corners, mixing in the driving maul, keeping Australia guessing. Instead we played into their hands.”

Yet the reaction has been far from one-sided on X.

Some observers argued it was unfair to scapegoat the DHL Stormers flyhalf, pointing instead to the Boks’ malfunctioning set-piece and defensive fragility. Rugby writer and pundit Paul Williams pointed out that Libbok could not be solely blamed for the defeat, insisting: “Can’t blame Manie Libbok for that defeat. But some will. So weird,” while one Springbok fan reminded fans that “he didn’t lose seven lineouts.”