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Fissler Confidential: Bears' fight to keep LRZ, England star on the move
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Mannie Libbok lays claim to South Africa's best No 10 with absolutely world class try
By Kim Ekin
Recently capped Springbok Mannie Libbok returned to action with the Stormers after the November internationals and made the Dragons look inept with one of the tries of the season.
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The Stormers had already scored one spectacular long-range effort before Libbok’s try, a team movement sparked by a Hacjivah Dayimani offload down the left side to free up speedster Leolin Zas.
Zas broke away down the touchline before linking up with fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who casually popped a one hand pass back inside to centre Ruhan Nel to finish a blockbusting play.
Then came another stunning effort from the new Springboks’ flyhalf.
Up already by 21-0, Libbok took matters into his own hands from around halfway on a Stormers scrum feed. The flyhalf sharply stepped inside twice, beating the Dragons halves, before a third left foot step beat the covering wing.
Without a Dragons’ loose forward in sight, Libbok coasted away for the last 20 metres calling for teammates to join him for the put down. He celebrated for the Cape Town crowd with arms raised pointing to the sky triumphantly.
Have you seen a more delicious try this season? 🤔
That’s how you secure the bonus-point-try 👊#BKTURC #URC | #STOvDRA | @TheStormers pic.twitter.com/ajaxylQM1r
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 3, 2022
Libbok’s try put the defending URC champs up 28-0 with five minutes remaining in the half, with proceedings turning into a bloodbath.
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The Stormers’ flyhalf was looking dangerous all afternoon, threatening the Dragons on more than one occasion.
The Dragons miraculously pulled things back, starting with an intercept try right on half-time by Dragons’ wing Jordan Williams from a Libbok pass.
The second half was all Dragons as the Welsh club put on 19 points while the Stormers managed two penalties.
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Libbok’s outstanding attacking play has increased the pressure on the Springboks’ management to find a place for him in the squad, whilst also making a case for starting over incumbent Handre Pollard and his club teammate Damian Willemse.
The 25-year-old has found a new lease on his rugby career after stints at the Bulls and Sharks where he wasn’t able to find the form that he is now showing at the Stormers.
Am I the only Bok fan who prefers Libbok over Pollard at 10 rn?🙈 not saying I don’t rate Pollard but I believe Mannie gives the team more on the field and plays a far more exciting brand of rugby🔥#ENGvRSA #Springboks
— The Life and Times of a Dyan (@TheRealMbuso) November 26, 2022
Mannie Libbok is having the time of his life!🔥
— Katleho Lynch (@LynchCoach) December 3, 2022
Letting go of Mannie Libbok is a generational fumble @BlueBullsRugby
— Mohubedu (@Ralphium) December 3, 2022
Mannie Libbok is playing some of the best rugby of his life. He is slicing through defences for fun.
— uKwanele🗡 (@KwaneleThusi1) December 3, 2022
