Manie Libbok has it all — and should be first in queue for Bok No 10 jersey

There is little doubt the star of the Stormers show in Cape Town on Saturday night was flyhalf Manie Libbok.

The 25-year-old was at his very best and played a major role in his team beating the Bulls to qualify for the URC semifinals. Much has been said and written about Libbok in the last two years, since joining the Cape-based team from the Sharks where he just never settled.

Libbok also couldn’t get going at the Bulls before being let go by then newly appointed director of rugby Jake White.

Now settled at the Stormers, Libbok is finally playing at the level everyone expected of him in his early 20s.

He showed on Saturday that when he is on song and in top form, he is among the best in the game, anywhere.

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What really stood out for me in the quarterfinal is the confidence with which Libbok played. He was so comfortable in the role of director and knew exactly what he wanted to do every time he received the ball. There was no doubt, hesitation or uncertainty in his decision-making. He was in full control.

Variety in game

And that sort of confidence and belief is what allowed him to take charge of the match and dictate the flow and direction for the Stormers.

Libbok, on Saturday, delivered a world class performance at No 10 — a showing that should have made national coach Jacques Nienaber a very happy man.

The thing with Libbok is he has so much variety in his game and he is able to read situations quickly, and correctly. He ticks every box; he’s quick off the mark and happy to have a go, his passes are strong and flat and when he kicks, he does so with purpose and reason.

The good news for Nienaber and the Boks is that there are now three seriously good No 10s challenging for the flyhalf position — Libbok, Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse; remember how good he was in that Bok No 10 jersey last year?

As back-up you have Elton Jantjies, Curwin Bosch and rising stars Jordan Hendrikse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

But, out of all these men, right now it is Libbok in the driving seat.