If you wanted a bigger smile this week in the Springbok camp, it was pretty easy: Just ask Manie Libbok about his kicking.
The massive grin when he was posed the question ahead of Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Durban was almost as if he was waiting for it.
After all, Libbok has been the punching bag for many of Springbok fans’ frustrations over the past few years, as his goal-kicking struggles have been amplified on the world stage for all to see, and in the biggest arenas at the World Cup.
However, Libbok this season cuts a different figure. He has always had the big smile, and the calm outlook, but there is a more confident cut about him.
And it shows. Five out of five kicks at goal against the Barbarians and six out of seven in the big win over the All Blacks in Wellington.
NEW CONFIDENCE
Something has changed. And it can’t just be the rugby ball. Earlier Rassie Erasmus had quipped that Manie’s confidence came from the Boks switching to the new Rhino balls being used in tests rather than the old Gilbert balls.
But the answer is even more simple than that. Just hard work.
“It was the Rhino ball,” he laughed when asked. And then clarified: “I’ve put a lot of work into my kicking since I was struggling. I did everything in my power to get it right. I am just happy it is coming together now. The hard work is paying off.”
Part of the solution has been the growing sharing culture in the Bok camp, where Libbok trains alongside the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Handre Pollard every week with attack coach Tony Brown. Willie le Roux’s insights are also valuable and between the Bok brains trust he has found a equilibrium that, for now, is working pretty well for him.
“We push each other to be better in training every day,” Libbok added “That brings the best out of all of us. I am happy to be in this position with both of them, and competing against both of them. That definitely helped me elevate my game.”
ONE CONCERN ABOUT HIS GAME
If Libbok has one concern about his game, it is perhaps that sometimes he overplays. The zealous desire to get the Bok backline moving failed at Ellis Park as Australia played off their mistakes and sucker punched them in the opening Rugby Championship game, one of the bigger shocks in the history of the tournament. Libbok and the backline were criticised for overdoing the attack and not varying it more, a lesson they seem to have learnt from in the games in New Zealand.
Libbok spoke out of his own about this, saying sometimes there was a need to manage the energy of the forwards. While he never mentioned Ellis Park, it wasn’t hard to read between the lines.
“We have plans when we go into a certain game. But for me it’s about control and balance,” Libbok explained.
“Sometimes you need to give the forwards some time to get their energy back so that they can come alive and punch holes and do the set-pieces well.
“I can’t overplay my forwards, so that they are fresh when they get to the set-pieces and into the opposition 22.”
PUMAS WILL BE TOUGH
With that in mind the Pumas are a tough opposition this weekend and even though Libbok is on the bench, he is wary of the attacking prowess they bring.
“They all come from Sevens backgrounds and are quick – good agility, footwork and skill sets. Tomás Albornoz is a very good player. He has amazing skill sets, an amazing feel for the game, an amazing brain.
“They are very good in the air. We also pride ourselves on the aerial game. I think it will be a massive challenge between the two. The one that is more desperate will win.”
Libbok smiles again when asked about the Wellington win - the biggest home defeat the All Blacks have ever faced. He had to get on the field in a moment when the Boks lost four players in the first half and he settled in quickly, guiding the Boks to the big win.
“It was good, man. I came off the bench to do a job and fulfil my role within the plan,” he smiles.
“Yes, the pressure was on when I got on the field, but I took a lot of confidence from the preparation we had throughout the week. We train with game intensity and it wasn’t something that fazed me.
“I needed to go on and do a job in the situation to add to the team and try and put the team in the best possible situation to get the result.”
That big smile will hopefully be back this weekend when he gets onto the field, and helps the Boks take a step towards defending their Rugby Championship title.