Former Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia has dished out high praise for Manie Libbok’s transformation post his stint in Japan. The seasoned flyhalf, Manie Libbok, is tipped to don the Springboks’ No 10 jersey in their upcoming Nations Championship clash against England at Ellis Park this Saturday.
Having collaborated with Libbok at the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Japan, where Genia is a skills coach, he observed firsthand the growth in Libbok's leadership on the field. “He has learned to become a strong voice on the field,” Genia revealed to Rapport. Elaborating on Libbok's evolution, Genia added,
"Manie is a quiet person. He’s a wonderful human being and, in Japan, he carried a lot of responsibility because he was our marquee player."
Genia is convinced that Libbok’s international experience will elevate his game within the Springbok squad. His prowess and adaptability have already marked him as a player of world-class caliber. “When players reach a certain level, there isn’t much you can teach them in terms of skills, especially someone like Manie, whose skills are world-class,” Genia stated.
The former Wallabies star did not hold back on praising Libbok’s versatile abilities, from his ambidextrous kicking to his dynamic attacking game, which not only creates but maximizes opportunities for his teammates. However, Genia believes there’s more potential to be unlocked in Libbok’s gameplay.
"I’d like to see him become even more of a running threat with ball in hand. He doesn’t only have to distribute. That will build his confidence and allow him to become a senior voice driving the team at flyhalf. He’ll be incredible."
As the Springboks gear up to extend their dominance over England, all eyes will be on Libbok to see how his newfound confidence and leadership skills translate on the international stage. This Saturday’s game at Ellis Park will not just be another test match; it will be a platform for Libbok to showcase his evolution from a quiet player to a commanding leader in rugby’s grand theater.