Stormers boss Dobson backs Libbok: ‘He has been outstanding for the Boks’

Despite a few wobbles in the kicking department, Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok has received the backing of his coaches and his team-mates and now also his Stormers coach John Dobson.

Libbok has been a revelation since joining the Stormers from the Sharks, and before that the Bulls, helping the Cape-based side to the URC title in 2022 and the runners-up award earlier this year.

The playmaker has also enjoyed a stunning start to his Bok career, guiding the side to a number of impressive victories, including record scores against Wales and New Zealand.

A few missed kicks at goal though have raised concerns in some quarters about Libbok’s ability at the highest level, but according to Dobson, the Bok No 10 has nothing to prove.

‘Natural ability’

“It is not about Manie needing to come good because he has already come good,” said Dobson this week, ahead of the Boks’ big World Cup match against Ireland in Paris on Saturday.

“He has been outstanding for the Springboks and it hasn’t surprised me. I have always rated his natural ability with the ball in hand, which is why I contracted him,” added Dobson.

“For me, it was about identifying Manie’s strengths (when he arrived at the Stormers), creating a playing environment that speaks to those strengths and picking players on his inside and outside that can complement those strengths.”

‘Manie can kick’

Dobson also doesn’t agree with those who doubt Libbok’s ability to convert five pointers into seven pointers and penalties into three points.

“You don’t end two successive URC seasons as the leading points scorer if you can’t kick at posts,” said Dobson.

“Manie can kick, and he has produced some big clutch kicks in the past two URC campaigns. Think back to the injury time touchline conversion in Cape Town against Ulster to win us the semi-final in the 2021/22 season.

“He has had matches in which the radar hasn’t been there, but which goalkicker hasn’t? It doesn’t matter how prolific a goalkicker, I have seen the very best have off-days.

“For me, Libbok is so much more than just a goalkicker and his performance must be seen in this light. He brings so much to any attack. His passing ability gets the best out of his outside backs and his line kicking lacks for nothing.

“The more he plays at Test level, the more he will find consistency to his game and with experience comes a certain maturity.”

Dobson also spoke of Libbok’s work ethic and remarkable ability to play the moment and be in the moment.

“He is one of those rare players, who can make a mistake and just get on with it in the next play. He doesn’t allow his mind to linger on an error. Equally, the good moment is just that moment.

“The nature of his game is that to create those moments of brilliance, there is always the risk that a pass doesn’t come off, or break leads to isolation and a turnover. When you pick Manie, you know that reward will always come with risk, but he is a player who gives so much in reward.”

‘Last to leave the field’

Dobson further touched on the goal-kicking. “His desire to succeed is strong and what the public won’t see is how many balls he kicks with our (Stormers) kicking coach Gareth Wright after training.

“That duo is the last to leave the field and it is usually on insistence that the training facility needs to be locked.

“I think his battle with (Ireland’s) Johnny Sexton is going to be a career highlight for Manie, and he will be stronger mentally for the experience.”