Boks have made solid plans to sink Azzurri, says Libbok
The Springboks have put solid plans in place to sink an adventurous Italian side, who are expected to play an expansive ball-in-hand game in Genoa on Saturday, replacement flyhalf Manie Libbok says.
Libbok, who won his first Bok cap when he came off the bench against France last week, has been named among the replacements for Saturday’s showdown against the Azzurri (3pm SA time).
Narrow losses against topranked teams Ireland and France in the opening two games of their European tour have ratcheted up the pressure on the Boks to deliver a win.
“Italy are very much the same as France with the same tactics and so on,” Libbok said.
“The Boks have plans to combat the challenges they will present and we have prepared for that.
“Against France, we knew there would be opportunities for us and the guys were excited about the Bok game plan and that was nice to see.
“We are really looking forward to playing Italy on Saturday and will be a big test for the Springboks.
“Italy are coming off some good results so they are on a roll and they are a good team
“We have prepared well for them so we are excited about the Test.”
Libbok said it has been a wonderful moment when he made his Boks debut in front of 67,000 French fans at the Stade Velodrome last week.
“It was a very special moment for me and I was just grateful to go onto the field and play for the Springboks,” he said.
“It was a dream come true and I am very pleased to have been given a taste of Test rugby against a quality team like France.
“I can cover fullback and centre and I am ready to play wherever the coach needs me.
“I will be ready to go and it is an honour to wear the Springbok jersey and I will take my role on with everything I have and do my best for the team.”
Libbok had warm words of praise for his franchise coach John Dobson and his Stormers teammates.
“For me to have Damian Willemse and Warrick Gelant in the same backline was great,” he said.
“They helped me in many* aspects of my game like attack and seeing space.
“Coach Dobson had the confidence in me to go on to the field and be myself and to play to my strong points.
“I am very grateful to him for bringing me to the Stormers and for giving me an opportunity to play and backing me
“That helped me a lot in my game and it built my confidence as well.”
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said Libbok had quietly worked his way up to a point where he is next on the starting list in the event of an injury.
He said Libbok’s development has been well-tracked by Bok management and was starting to reap the requisite rewards.
“He’s one injury away, and if you think about it, he’s our backup flyhalf currently, so I guess he’s really close,” Nienaber said.
“The reason we selected him was the fact that he trained well.
“It’s now the fourth or fifth week that he’s been with us.
“He’s comfortable in the system and he’s growing within our environment.
“He’s slotting in nicely. “Manie’s versatility will also come in handy, as he can cover most positions in the backline.”
Italy are very much the same as France with the same tactics and so on. The Boks have plans to combat the challenges they will present and we have prepared for that