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Mannie Libbok lays claim to South Africa's best No 10 with absolutely world class try

By Kim Ekin
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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.

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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.

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.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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