MAGICAL MANIE

Manie Libbok is ready to show Munster that he has rediscovered his mojo.

Leighton Koopman

IF there is one Stormers player that has unfinished business against Munster in the United Rugby Championship final it will be playmaker Manie Libbok.

The Stormers star pivot has been excellent in the playoffs, producing consecutive Player of the Match performances in the quarter-final (Bulls) and semi-final (Connacht).

The 25-year-old was particularly good against the Irish side, contributing a personal haul of 23 points, which included two tries, five conversions and a penalty.

He also showcased his vision with a couple of cross-field kicks that led to two Stormers tries, while he attacked the gain line with great purpose.

But it was against Munster last month when Libbok surprisingly left his kicking boots at home as he missed five shots at goal. This allowed Graham Rowntree’s side to take the spoils 26-24, which also saw the Stormers surrender their 100% home record at DHL Stadium.

“That performance against Munster was tough, especially kicking to goal. But I don’t think my game was off, I think I did a good job ingeneral,” Libbok said.

“Those kinda games, it builds my character because I took a lot of learnings from it. It also shows and reminds you that there’s still a lot to work on and improve on.”

Libbok has certainly responded in a positive manner since that rare off day at the office, and it is all due to the hard work he puts in at training with kicking coach Gareth Wright.

“If you put it like that into perspective and go back and put the work in, especially with kicking. We have a phenomenal kicking coach (Wright) here at the Stormers that helps me a lot with my kicking,” he said.

“He brings the best out of me by putting the work in with me. I am grateful for him. All that work paid off in the Bulls game, I got my confidence back again. But not just from the Bulls game, the Benetton one too. I am happy, holding my head down and I’ll keep on crafting and working on my craft.”

Libbok has previously shown that he is the man for the big occasion as he slotted a penalty in the dying moments of last year’s semi-final against Ulster to send the Cape team through to their first-ever URC final.

The Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season will like nothing more than to set the record straight with a flawless kicking display on Saturday.

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