Player ratings: Best Springboks of 2023: Manie Libbok
Stormers star Manie Libbok formed an integral part of the Springboks’ squad during an unforgettable 2023 season.
As the year draws to a close, we hand out some key player ratings to the top Springbok standouts. Next up: Manie Libbok
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MANIE LIBBOK: THE SPRINGBOKS’ BREAKTHROUGH STAR
When this year got under way, no one could have predicted that Manie Libbok would go on to feature in 11 Tests, starting in all but two of them.
In the injury-enforced absence of Handre Pollard, Libbok stepped into the No 10 jersey – and despite his limited experience at international level – he rose to the occasion and enjoyed a quite remarkable season.
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Libbok started four games at the Rugby World Cup, and although there were questions over his goal-kicking, the 26-year-old consistently added a real impact through his playmaking ability.
Despite the fact that Pollard reclaimed the No 10 jersey for the World Cup final, it should not detract from the fact that Libbok was a central cog around which the Springbok machine rotated in 2023.
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OUR 2023 RATING FOR LIBBOK: 7/10
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