Libbok's consistency means he deserves his place in Bok squad

The DHL Stormers flyhalf Manie Libbok may have received a large portion of the blame from fans after his side’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship defeat at the hands of Munster as disappointment set in on Saturday night’s result.

But the reality is, while Libbok has both his fans and detractors, a difficult performance in the URC final won’t make or break his chances of making the Springbok team.

Much has been made of the performance and column inches have been spent debating whether Libbok should be included with the Springbok squad to the Rugby World Cup.

CONSISTENCY IN SELECTION

But given the way Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have handled selections since they came together in 2018 to take over the national side, consistency has been key in their selections.

For that reason there has always been two factors that influence selection for the Boks - pecking order and current form.

And just like players have been introduced at a rate that isn’t always compatible with the public’s demands, so has the Bok management stuck with players when they have experienced a dip in form as well.

MEMORIES CREATE IMPRESSIONS

Libbok’s situation is somewhat fraught with memories of games at the Sharks and Bulls, but for this past URC season alone, he has been the standout flyhalf in the country. There is so much of the success of the DHL Stormers that is due to Libbok’s cool head, his decision-making under pressure and the way he has handled himself in tough times.

Gareth Wright - the Stormers kicking coach - spoke last week to SuperSport about the amount of hard work that Libbok puts in behind the scenes. How he challenges himself to get better and how he is one of the hardest workers in the Stormers’ side.

Libbok finally became a Springbok last season and impressed in his few appearances in the Bok jersey, never looking out of place.

And those performances, as well as the consistency he has put in this season will mean more to the Bok selectors than one game where things went against him.

Libbok shouldn’t be immune to criticism, and the Stormers’ tactical kicking game - which included scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and fullback Damian Willemse - was poor on Saturday and a big cause of the Stormers inability to win the trophy they won last year.

But the Boks are likely to look at his successes and the amount of times in pressure situations he has given his side a boost rather than the one or two times things didn’t go his way.

POLLARD STILL NO 1

In their own consistency the Boks are likely to back Handre Pollard, if he is fit, for the matches in the Rugby Championship and warm-up games for the World Cup. They are likely to back him in the World Cup as first choice given his history of delivering for the World Champions.

Last season when Pollard was injured, Damian Willemse stepped into the void and staked a big claim at flyhalf as the back-up. His versatility would always see him in a bigger squad, but the performances in tests in 2022 has made him the de facto back-up flyhalf for the Boks.

Libbok would currently be seen as the third choice, nudging ahead of Elton Jantjies, who is playing French second division and has, by accounts, fallen out of favour with his club.

PROCESSES DRIVE SELECTION

So while fans may bay for Libbok to be the Bok 10 in one week and then slay him the next, the Boks look at a whole different set of aspects, monitor long term form and work individually with franchises and players to create their own pecking order.

It is a process that won them a World Cup and a process that won a Lions tour. It is a process that has produced a host of players who will step up to lead post this Rugby World Cup as well.

And while Libbok may not be everyone’s first choice, his form over the season means he deserves a call-up. No matter what happened last Saturday.